Sefton Park Palm House is celebrating 25 years since it reopened its doors following its major restoration with the launch of a special Palm House Festival this September.
On Sunday 6 September, exactly 25 years to the day since the Palm House reopened to the public on 6 September 2001, visitors are invited to come together to celebrate the landmark anniversary with a day of memories, music and activities.
The day will feature the opening of the ‘Save It!’ exhibition at the Palm House, celebrating the incredible local campaign that helped save the iconic building from complete disrepair and return it to the heart of the community.
The Palm House’s popular Garden Lates programme will also be extended as part of the anniversary celebrations, giving visitors even more opportunity to enjoy the Palm House with music from Jubilee Stompers until 6.30pm this Sunday evening.
The September programme continues throughout the month with a packed programme of events celebrating the Palm House’s history, horticulture and its role in rooting for people, plants and place.
Every Thursday at 1pm, visitors can join one of the Palm House’s special anniversary lectures. Each lecture is different, covering topics including Liverpool’s Herbarium and the medical uses of plants. To view a full list of the talk series and to secure your free space please visit www.palmhouse.org.uk.
For those wanting to discover more about the building and support its future, the Palm House is also offering a special anniversary membership for September. Anyone who joins as a Palm House supporter this month for just £25 for the whole year will receive 10% off at the café, as well as a free guided tour for themselves and a friend on Wednesday 9 September at 2pm – a tour normally worth £10 for 2 people.
For the first time, the Palm House will also be taking part in the Heritage Open Days Festival, with special tours taking place on 13 and 20 September.
On 24 September, visitors can join the Palm House’s gardener for a special tour, following his recent success at Southport Flower Show, where he won the cup for the Most Creative Display. Tickets are available from Ticket Quarter.
The month will culminate in Grow Your Own Day on 29 September, celebrating the joy of growing, sharing knowledge and getting closer to nature.
Kate Martinez, Head of Visitors and Communities at Sefton Park Palm House, said: “This is such a special month for the Palm House and for everyone who has played a part in its story. Twenty-five years ago, the doors opened again thanks to an incredible Save the Palm House campaign led by people who cared deeply about this building and what it could mean for future generations.
“Since then, the Palm House has become so much more than a historic building. It is a place for people to come together, to learn, celebrate, remember, grow and enjoy nature. This anniversary is a chance to look back at the memories that have made the Palm House what it is today, while also looking forward to its future.
“We’ve put together a really varied programme throughout September and we hope our visitors will come along, discover something new, share their own Palm House memories and, most importantly, enjoy this very special anniversary month with us.”
The Palm House was originally opened in 1896 as the centrepiece of Sefton Park, so it is also the 130th anniversary since originally opening this year. The Grade II* listed glasshouse has experienced an extraordinary history, including war damage, years of disrepair and inaccessibility, before a passionate local fundraising campaign helped secure its restoration and reopening in 2001.
The September anniversary celebrations form part of a wider programme marking 25 years since the Palm House reopened, with events throughout the year including fundraising Christmas Party Nights, a programme of talks, late openings and a Grow Your Own Harvest Festival.
For full details of the Palm House Festival programme, including lecture information and ticket details, visit www.palmhouse.org.uk.
