SBS: The Domes (I Know I'm Late AND Half-Assing This)

Originally posted to The ACE | MKE on April 24, 2019.

So I recently became a friend of the Domes, and you probably should, too.

The Domes from the front sidewalk.

For just a couple bucks per visit you can see the infamous Domes, but a one time investment for an annual pass saves you $$ and still goes straight to supporting these historic structures.

These flowers were basically growing upside down - weird.

For those of you from Milwaukee or even the area, you clearly know what the Domes are. In case anyone from out of town is reading this, the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory Domes are three architectural “bubbles” constructed over 50 years ago. Together along with a greenhouse and other installments, the Domes act as a major landmark for the city, cornerstone for the community, and as a resource for students - annually, in fact, nearly 10,000 students in school-related programs and another 10,000 student visitors who visit on their own time.

Why? Because they’re cool. A national treasure, in fact. They offer students and visitors alike a look into different biomes that we don’t get to see here in the Midwest. Two of the three staggered domes are designated for full-time desert and tropical atmospheres. The desert dome is home to an extremely unique and rare collection of Madagascar-native species in addition to numerous other plants. Likewise, the tropical dome displays other worldly shrubbery that generally can’t be found here.

Some of the patterns on the plants there are just remarkable. I loved these leaves.

The third dome rotates its displays, as it’s known as the Show Dome. Unfortunately on my most recent visit it was closed; however, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting it during peak flower seasons and at Christmastime. Plants and flowers are selected far in advance and specifically grown in the onsite greenhouse, then transferred over a two week span of putting the Show Dome’s latest theme together.These shows last anywhere from six to fourteen weeks before another rotation starts up again.

The Domes have been a big deal lately and until I (“officially”) became a Milwaukee resident, I didn’t understand how important they were. They’ve been in the news because people in the community but also officials like county supervisors and even national conservationists have become separated over whether the Domes should be demolished or maintained: either way, something needs to be done.

They’re old buildings. They initially made the news because of their safety related concerns and structural issues (probably because they were designed in 1959 and unveiled in 1965, making them, oh, only 54 years old or so). The “big plan” that stirred everyone up was to essentially demolish the domes, which of course historians and Dome fans weren’t in favor of, but the Domes Task Force has recently released a happy medium type of plan going forward. Demolishing the domes would be in favor of incorporating an extension of campuses for the public museum.

Including this for funsies. We love visiting the fish - the white one looks like it has poppies painted on it. We call him The Fish With the Tattoos.

No matter if you think the Domes are dumb and should be demolished or if you think they should stay, money is the problem. Donating to the Domes or becoming a friend of the Domes are both awesome ways to support the Domes Task Force and the cause behind it all: a communal learning center for everyone to enjoy.

Sigh.

Until next time.