Phipps to celebrate black history
PITTSBURGH- In honor of Black History month, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Schenley Park will offer a variety of educational public programs that are free with admission to Phipps. The schedule for the special programs is as follows:
Saturday
– Noon, “George Washington Carver, The Peanut and the Sweet Potato.” George Washington Carver revolutionized agriculture in the southern states. Visitors will learn more about out how Carver discovered new uses for the peanut and persuaded people to grow new crops.
– 2 p.m., “African Stories and Musical Instruments.” Storyteller, Azizi Powell, will hear more about black history in America.
Sunday
– Noon, “Houseplants: Origin Africa.” Visitors will learn about man of the common houseplants that actually originate in Africa.
Saturday, Feb. 15
– Noon, “The Last Slave Ship.” Olivette Howze will tell his story about his ancestors, who were passengers on the last slave ship when it pulled into Mobile, Ala.
– 2 p.m., “African-American Cuisine Derived from Africa.” Visitors can learn about and taste foods that are part of black history.
Saturday, Feb. 16
– Noon, “The Last Slave Ship.”
– 2 p.m., “African-American Cuisine Derived from Africa.”
Special displays will feature the contributions of African-American scientists and inventors, the contributions of slaves to the success of growing rice and cotton in the South and African traditions of the Gullahs of coastal South Carolina.
Plants of African origin will be highlighted throughout the conservatory.
Tropical Sundays
Celebrate the tropics at Phipps. On Sundays, Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23, from 1 to 3 p.m., enjoy Tropical Sundays at the conservatory. Enjoy the music of Steelpan Combination, a local steel drum band. Wear a tropical shirt and get in for half-off regular admission. (This offer cannot be used in combination with other discounts.)
Valentine’s Day Celebration
Phipps is a perfect place to bring your special someone for a romantic evening. Phipps illuminates its lush, fragrant paths in candlelight during the Valentine’s Day Celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14. Matt Korbanlc, classical guitarist, will provide beautiful music from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Phipps is now serving the community in two locations. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the 13-room Victorian glasshouse and gardens in Schenley Park, is open year-round, Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phipps is closed Mondays.
Phipps admission rates are $6 for adults; $5 for seniors age 60 and older; $4 for students with ID; and $3 for children ages 2 to 12. Children under 2 and Phipps members are admitted free. Guided tours, free with Phipps admission, are offered Tuesday through Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.
Phipps Garden Center, located at 1059 Shady Ave. in Mellon Park, is a horticultural education center offering classes, workshops and the gift boutique, “Shop in the Park.”
For more information about the conservatory call 412-622-6914. For more information about the garden center call 412-441-4442. More information about either location is available online at www.phipps.conservatory.org