History and restoration
History | Restoration
Completed in 1896, Sefton Park Palm House was a gift to the City by Henry Yates Thompson. It was designed by an Edinburgh firm, MacKenzie & Moncur who had branches in Glasgow and London and an extensive portfolio of glasshouse across the country.
Sefton Park Palm House was designed in the tradition of Paxton's glass houses and was stocked originally with a rich collection of exotic plants. There were 9 marble statues on display inside together with a marble bench. On plinths around the outside there were a further 8 bronze/marble statues by Chavailliaud (1858-1921) of famous explorers and naturalists.
"There are places I remember..."
At the beginning of World War 2 the building had been camouflaged in case the glass reflected the moonlight and act as a guide for warplanes. Matt oil paint was used on the outside of the building - grey paths were painted over the dome and the rest was coloured green to blend with the surrounding parkland.
In the blitz of May 1941 a bomb fell nearby and shattered the glass. It was reglazed in 1950 (cost: £6,163) and continued to be enjoyed by the people of Liverpool. However, a period of decline and deterioration culminated in its closure in the l980's on grounds of safety.
In June 1992, a public meeting was held highlighting the dereliction and calling for restoration. A petition of 5,000 names was presented to the City Council by what had become the "Save the Palm House" campaign. For the first time ever this cause generated cross-party support from the Council for the refurbishment proposal.
A fund raising campaign was established, with a "sponsor a pane" programme generating over £35,000. This led directly to the conversion of Save the Palm House into a registered charity (Friends of Sefton Park Palm House), later Sefton Park Palm House Preservation Trust.
"Palm House party"
There was a feasibility study into possible uses for Sefton Park Palm House and a number of events were held there - which were surprisingly successful in view of the unglazed state of the building.
Working in partnership, Sefton Park Palm House Preservation Trust and Liverpool City Council were brought together a funding package to restore the building and construct new facilities to ensure a viable future for Sefton Park Palm House. £3.5million was raised from Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage, European Regional Development Fund, Liverpool City Council and Sefton Park Palm House Preservation Trust. The construction started in Februrary 2000 and was completed September 2001.
Since the re-opening, Sefton Park Palm House has become well established as a popular visitor attraction and prestigious location for private parties and celebrations. It is a unique building of architectural and heritage interest, but its events programme offers many reasons to return. Occupying a focal position in the park, it provides a central meeting place for ideas and people.
