| 5/4/2026 | 0 |
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
| ADOPTED
Minutes note: Dilruba Shuvra (HPC, graduate intern) provided a pre recorded presentation in support of nomination the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory ("The Domes") to the National Register of Historic Places. (full presentation is attached to the meeting details and file.)
The domes were originally commissioned in 1954 to replace an earlier conservatory on the site dating to 1898; formal planning began in 1957.
The domes are significant at the state level under Criteria C for architecture and engineering as a unique architectural form. HPC also stated national-level significance under Criteria C (engineering) as the work of master engineer Charles Whitney.
Site context: domes at the northwest corner of the 60-acre Legion Park on Milwaukee’s near South Side; the park was established in 1898 as one of five original public parks by the Milwaukee Board of Park Commissioners.
The domes are visually tied to the park but described as a distinct entity, currently co-managed by Milwaukee County Parks and the (Legion) Dome Alliance.
It reflects Mid-Century Modern architectural syles, especially New Formalism and Neo-Expressionism.
The domes were originally commissioned in 1954 to replace an earlier conservatory on the site dating to 1898; formal planning began in 1957. (see full video for more details)
| Pass | 7:0 |
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