Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s origins date to 1897, when New York State reserved 39 acres for a botanic garden as Brooklyn rapidly urbanized. The Olmsted Brothers, sons of Central Park’s designer, created the original site plan, and botanist Charles Stuart Gager became the first director in 1910. The garden officially opened to the public on May 13, 1911, on a site that had previously been an ash dump. diverse gardens including the iconic Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, the Shakespeare Garden, and the Cherry Esplanade.
 
The Palm House at Brooklyn Botanic Garden was built as the garden’s original conservatory and dedicated in 1917. Designed by the renowned architectural firm McKim, Mead & White in a Tuscan Revival style, the Palm House originally featured a central glass pavilion for tropical plants, flanked by greenhouse wings and classrooms.
 
Interesting facts...
Some urban legend enthusiasts believe there may be a hidden treasure buried in the garden, inspired by cryptic clues from a popular treasure hunt story