Phipps creates holiday beauty, fun
PITTSBURGH – Sara Szabad does not like the snow, the wind or the cold. “I never even saw snow until I was 16,” she said, admitting it was quite a shock. But despite the snow, wind and cold she stays. “It’s my job that keeps me here,” she said.
Szabad is in charge of educational programming at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Schenley Park in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
Szabad, 26, grew up in Refugio, Texas, a small gulf town near Corpus Christi.
“But my grandmother (maternal) lived in Pittsburgh, so I spent my summers here.”
She vividly remembers the trollies.
“My grandmother’s house was right on the trolley line,” she said. “She lived in the South Hills … Dormont.”
She also remembers the Phipps Conservatory.
“I went there every summer,” she said.
After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in recreation from Virginia Wesleyan College in Virginia Beach and gaining some experience at The Children’s Museum of Virginia in Portsmouth, she decided to head north.
“I wanted to be closer to my family,” she said.
Now she calls both Pittsburgh and The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens home.
The Phipps Conservatory first opened Dec. 7, 1893. It was, at that time, the largest Victorian style glasshouse/conservatory in the United States.
Built by Henry Phipps (1839-1930) at a cost of $110,000, it was his gift to Pittsburgh. Phipps, a cobbler’s son born in Philadelphia, spent many years in the city, working his way up the corporate ladder.
In 1861, he and his lifelong friend, Andrew Carnegie, invested in an iron works operation that by 1901 was bought out by J.P. Morgan and went on to become U.S. Steel.
The City of Pittsburgh owned and operated Phipps Conservatory until 1993. Then, Phipps Conservatory, Inc. signed a 100-year lease and took over the management of the property. They were able to continue and enhance the legacy left by Henry Phipps, “to provide a source of instruction as well as pleasure to the people of Pittsburgh.”
“This is a fun, fun place,” Szabad said. “From weddings and bridal showers to receptions, meetings, classes and parties, Phipps is always blooming with activity. My work is to coordinate, plan and run all the activities and events.”
From storytime for toddlers (Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11 a.m. year round), to the Discovery Tables for children of all ages, Szabad said it is a wonderful place to be. There is even an elaborate train display.
“I’m an artist,” Szabad said, “and this is all so exciting.”
“Christmastime is a special time here,” she added. “From Thanksgiving weekend through the new year, the place is chock-full of flowers, festivities, fun and easy ways for kids of all ages to learn.
“I really enjoy the nontraditional ways of learning,” she added “It’s all about curiosity and learning by exploration.”
For this Christmas season, one Discovery Table provides activities designed around the marshmallow plant.
“Even the very youngest of the children can learn something here,” she said. “We use baby marshmallows, pretzels and edible markers for this activity.”
At the gingerbread Discovery Table, visitors are invited to make boy or girl magnets.
“And at the poinsettia table, we teach more technical information, and make origami poinsettias. … There is something available for all age groups,” she said.
Santa makes regular visits. And Mrs. Claus has lots of cookies in need of decoration.
From Dec. 14-30, Phipps is open until 9 p.m. for nighttime touring.
“From December 26 to 31, we have Family Fun Days. We have five Discovery Tables in the Conservatory and lots of other activities going on,” Szabad said. “Then, the grand finale. We celebrate New Year’s Eve, with a family oriented party from 6 to 9 p.m. This year there will be a steel drum band, face painting, carnival games, crafts, balloons, party hats and lots of activities.
“The Conservatory is a beautiful place,” she said, “It is the warmest, best place to work (or play) in Pittsburgh.”
The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is open year round. Its 13 rooms are ablaze with blossoms and foliage. From the Fern Room with its primitive land plants and a cocoa tree from Henry Phipps’ original collection to the Fruit and Spice Room with subtropical plants and cooler temperatures, there is much to see.
The Orchid Room holds more than 3,000 orchid and bromeliads; the Desert Room is alive with cacti. The Sunken Garden is a formal water garden with seasonal flowers, fountains and hanging baskets.
The South Conservatory is usually the focal point for seasonal displays and includes economic growths – plants that provide food, shelter and clothing.
Between April and October, the Outdoor Gardens display bonsai, perennials, herbs and aquatic plants.
The Phipps offers informal classes and structured programs for gardeners and horticulturalists alike.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education has approved Phipps as a provider for Act 48 Continuing Professional Education for school teachers to increase their knowledge of environmental issues and gardening for the classroom.
A speakers’ bureau made up of nearly 50 people is available to address a wide variety of topics.
This year’s Winter Flower Show, named “Nature’s Holiday” by its designer, Nancy Vejlstrup, features botanical decorations in red and white and new varieties of poinsettias in red, orange and lime green.
The Fruit and Spice Room features winter warm-up drinks, with teacup planters all around. The show runs until Jan. 9.
The Phipps is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Most of the facility is handicapped accessible.
For more information, prices, programs or directions contact Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens at 412-622-6915. Those interested can also visit the Web site at www.phipps.conservatory.org.