Mitchell Park Domes

Despite years of debate, Milwaukee County leaders still haven’t decided the fate of the Mitchell Park Domes. The unique bee-hive shaped glass structures, which house collections of plants and trees, are in jeopardy due to lack of funding for maintenance and repairs. Thursday, the county board abstained from voting to apply for National Register of Historic Places status for the Domes.

The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors voted 15-3 Thursday, September 22 to apply for National Register of Historic Places status for The Domes, a promising step for advocates hoping to restore the conservatory. But much work remains.

Four county supervisors asked the Milwaukee County American Rescue Plan Act Task Force for $19 million toward rehabilitating The Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory or The Domes, including newly elected Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez. He represents the 12th District in which the Domes reside. The task force unanimously rejected the proposal.

The future of the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, known to many simply as the Domes, is unclear. Like so many Milwaukee County properties, the plant-filled glass beehive-shaped structures have long been in need to maintenance.

Since the 1960s, the Milwaukee Public Museum has been a fixture on the west side of downtown. But, the Museum hopes to move to a new, smaller space that could better fit their needs and help avoid disaster.

A work group will be reporting on its progress Tuesday in coming up with a plan for the future of the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, commonly known as the Domes.

The Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, a beloved Milwaukee County icon, is in desperate need of care.

The Milwaukee Public Museum and the Mitchell Park Domes are two of the most recognizable institutions in Milwaukee. But they’re also among the most…

You’ve probably driven by The Domes many times and even visited them. Whether you love them or hate them, their future’s been hotly debated — should…

The Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservancy, fondly known as The Domes, is perhaps equal parts iconic and at risk. Like fellow Milwaukee County…