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The Chicago Botanic Garden opened a little more than 40 years ago as a beautiful place to visit, and it has matured into one of the world's great living museums and conservation science centers. In 2013, one million people visited the Garden's 26 gardens and four natural areas, uniquely situated on 385 acres on and around nine islands, with six miles of lake shoreline. The Garden also has a renowned Bonsai Collection.

The Chicago Botanic Garden has 50,000 members—one of the largest memberships of any U.S. botanic garden. People of all ages, interests, and abilities participate in programs, take classes, and stroll the grounds year-round. Within the nine laboratories of the Garden's Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center, scientists and graduate students conduct a wide array of plant research. The Garden is one of only 17 public gardens accredited by the American Association of Museums. Its Lenhardt Library contains 110,000 volumes — including one of the nation's best collections of rare botanical books.

HISTORY

The Chicago Botanic Garden traces its origins back to the Chicago Horticultural Society, founded in 1890. With the motto Urbs in Horto, meaning "city in a garden," the Society hosted nationally recognized flower and horticultural shows, its third the World's Columbian Exposition Chrysanthemum Show, held in conjunction with the world's fair in October 1893.

After a period of inactivity, the Chicago Horticultural Society was restarted in 1943. In 1962, its modern history began when the Society agreed to help create and manage a new public garden. With the groundbreaking for the Chicago Botanic Garden in 1965 and its opening in 1972, the Society created a permanent site on which to carry out its mission. The Garden today is an example of a successful public-private partnership. It is owned by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and operated by the Chicago Horticultural Society.

Reviews of Chicago Botanic Garden

(4.4-star rating across 117 reviews)
Goat Milk Soap Making

11/12/2023
yolanda M.

Attended: Goat Milk Soap Making


The person who was supposed to teach;just talk about his family and his worked hiw tiredness might be,and people in the class were interested in the goats life;I went to learned how to do the soaps plus the person I asked how much oil,coconut oil,fat was the measurements and he told me that he wasn’t going to tell me,If he is afraid that someone still his recipe;he is wrong;when somebody gives a class…….teach not just live you in a limbo,very insatisfied For the money was a poor class

Arranging Store-Bought Bouquets: Online

10/8/2023
Shelly L.

Attended: Arranging Store-Bought Bouquets: Online


The class was canceled and no communication to inform students and no one was on the phone to answer what was going on with the class.

Forest Bathing Experience

9/11/2023
Michelle M.

Attended: Forest Bathing Experience


This was my first experience but I have done a lot of research on forest bathing. Sally did a great job! She is so kind and generous and even stayed a little after to talk to me about how I am trying to set up a business of my own around forest bathing. My only suggestion is that the gardens provide a detailed explanation on where to find the group. I was 15 minuets late because I am not the greatest map reader and had to figure out where to go once I parked. Maybe drawing on the map or suggesting a specific parking lot would help. It was a beautiful day and I am SO glad I attended!

Outdoor Survival and Shelter Building

6/19/2023
LAURA G.

Attended: Outdoor Survival and Shelter Building


In the advertising for this course they show a photo of people actually in the forest . We were on a manicured lawn area with clean branches and brush tied up in a pile . Not exactly foraging ! You can’t learn much that way . In a real life situation there wouldn’t be a pile ready and waiting for you . I wanted to learn which branches are suitable vs those that aren’t . Also wanted to learn how to start a fire . What types of material would be good for that . Learning in a class room is fine but hands on is so much better . You will remember hands on as opposed to taking notes in a class room . Handouts of the presentation should have been included for the price paid .

Introduction to Beekeeping

2/19/2023
Anonymous

Attended: Introduction to Beekeeping


A lot of information. Willie was very knowledgeable, would love if this was a series for bee keeping

Shibori-Dyed Scarf

1/25/2023
Elizabeth H.

Attended: Shibori-Dyed Scarf


I really enjoyed this class and will sign up for others

Introduction to Beekeeping

10/10/2022
Rachel D.

Attended: Introduction to Beekeeping


Great class, great location. Very informative in a well rounded intro class. Hope there's another in the future.

Beginning Watercolor: Online

8/19/2022
Anonymous

Attended: Beginning Watercolor: Online


I am a true beginner with no prior experience. I learned about brushes, brush strokes, and paint mixing. Judith gave me great critiques with very good tips. The only negative is that the students seemed to be sorted by age instead of experience. I was the only “newby” so it was a bit intimidating.

Orchids for Beginners: Online

2/27/2022
Barbara L.

Attended: Orchids for Beginners: Online


This class was NOT good! I did not want a course on Botany, details of the orchids. The class was let out early and I did not get many ideas for caring for orchids. The teacher spent too much time on her own graduate thesis and did not really help me learn how to pick out orchids or how to keep them growing. I would NOT recommend this class.

Demo Cooking: French Cocktail Snacks

2/21/2022
Joanne G.

Attended: Demo Cooking: French Cocktail Snacks


Our instructor was fantastic. Knowledgeable, entertaining and personable. All the recipes were great too and i cant wait to try them at home.

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Questions about this school?
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Illinois 60022
Chicago Botanic Garden
Glencoe, Suburbs
1000 Lake Cook Road
Btwn Edens Exprsswy/Rt 41 & Green Bay Rd
Glencoe, Illinois 60022

Upcoming Classes at Chicago Botanic Garden

Introduction to Beekeeping
Introduction to Beekeeping
Next start date:

Saturday Feb 17th, 9am–2pm Central Time

Mosaic Workshop
Mosaic Workshop
Next start date:

Thursday Jan 18th, 1:30–3:30pm Central Time

Tin Angel Ornament Workshop
Tin Angel Ornament Workshop
Next start date:

Saturday Dec 2nd, 1–3pm Central Time

Forest Bathing Experience
Forest Bathing Experience
Next start date:

Sunday Jan 14th, 1–2:30pm Central Time

Basic Jewelry Techniques
Basic Jewelry Techniques
Next start date:

Tuesday Jan 16th, 6:30–8:30pm Central Time

Photoshop 1
Photoshop 1
Next start date:

Monday Jan 22nd, 1–3:30pm Central Time

Hands-on Baking: Pate a Choux
Hands-on Baking: Pate a Choux
Next start date:

Monday Feb 12th, 10am–12pm Central Time

Hands-on Cooking: Knife Skills
Hands-on Cooking: Knife Skills
Next start date:

Wednesday Jan 17th, 2–4pm Central Time

Live Sound Meditation Experience
Live Sound Meditation Experience
Next start date:

Tuesday Jan 9th, 6:30–7:45pm Central Time

Winter Bird Walk
Winter Bird Walk
Next start date:

Saturday Dec 2nd, 8–9:30am Central Time

Yoga Flow Beginner
Yoga Flow Beginner
Next start date:

Tuesday Jan 16th, 9:30–10:30am Central Time

Yoga Flow Intermediate
Yoga Flow Intermediate
Next start date:

Thursday Jan 18th, 9:30–10:30am Central Time

Mosaic Bird Pendant Workshop
Mosaic Bird Pendant Workshop
Next start date:

Thursday Jan 18th, 6:30–8:30pm Central Time

Laugh it Off with Laughter Yoga
Laugh it Off with Laughter Yoga
Next start date:

Saturday Jan 20th, 1–2pm Central Time

Tai Chi Fundamental Yang 24
Tai Chi Fundamental Yang 24
Next start date:

Tuesday Jan 23rd, 8–9am Central Time

Sunset Candlelight Yoga Nidra
Sunset Candlelight Yoga Nidra
Next start date:

Sunday Jan 28th, 5–6pm Central Time

Valentine Heart Pendant Workshop
Valentine Heart Pendant Workshop
Next start date:

Thursday Feb 1st, 6:30–8:30pm Central Time

Tai Chi Fundamental Yang 24 Extension
Tai Chi Fundamental Yang 24 Extension
Next start date:

Thursday Nov 30th, 8–9am Central Time

Staghorn Fern Workshop
Staghorn Fern Workshop
Next start date:

Thursday Nov 30th, 6–8pm Central Time

Tai Chi Experienced Sun-Style Extension
Tai Chi Experienced Sun-Style Extension
Next start date:

Friday Dec 1st, 8–9am Central Time

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Teachers at Chicago Botanic Garden

Aaron Bertelsen Abbie Groff Alan Anderson Alexis Datta Alicia Green Allen Rokach Amy Galper & Amy Anthony Ana Bonet Andrew Wilson Andrew Bunting Andy McGhee Angela Thomas Waltman Angie McMonigal Anna Andersen Anna Gordon Anne Nies Anne Houde Anne Roberts Annie Guilfoyle Annie Novak Arthur Joura Ashley Luciani Austin Eischeid Ayako Saegusa Ayse Pogue Barb Rue Barbara Kreski Barbara Raleigh Becky Porter Becky Porter, designer, Victor Hlavacek Florist Benjamin F. Lenhardt, Jr. Beth Levy Beth Nielsen Beth Pinagorte Betsy Iversen Bill Shores Bim Willow Bob Kirschner & Heidi Natura Bonnie Cox Bonnie Arkin Brady Soule Brian Paul Lamotte & Andreas Laszlo Konrath Bridget Kiernan Bridget Schrank Britt Calendo Bruce Bondy Bruce Iverson Bruce Iverson Burnstein Hall Carlos Barajas Carmen Vidal-Hallett Carol Vanhyfte Lawrence Carrie Schloss Cathy Thomas Charles and Karen Lorence Chester Jankowski Chris Beiser Chris Catalano Chris Baker Christina Swets Christine Shiel Claire Roos Claudia Lane Courtney Hughes Craig Bergmann Cynthia Gran Dale Sievert Dale Dellutri Dan Bussey Dan Pearson & Midori Shintani Daniel Domoleczny Daniela Titiu Dave Cantwell Dave Sollenberger Dave Neu David Tepper David Murray David E. Dallison Dawn Petter Debbie Friend Deborah Lee Dennis Paige Derek Norman Devi Stern Diane Dorigan Diane Smith Dianne Kittle DJ Garrity Douglas Beasley Douglas W. Tallamy Dr. Kayri Havens-Young and Dr. Jennifer Schwarz Ballard Dr. Kulvider Kaur Duncan Himmelman Duygu Kazkondu Eddie Soloway Elisabeth Aguilera Elise Robison Elizabeth Paine Ellen Phillips Emily Breidenbach Emily Paster Emma and Andrea Eric Strong Erica Hornthal Esther Gutierrez-Sloan Evan Hydzik Fergus Garrett Frances Vail Francine Gourguechon Fred Spicer Gary Topalian Gary Lehman Gary Bregman Gary Gran Gilbert and Lesley Bruce Smith Giulianna Ciocca Glenn Grosch Gordon Lock Gordon Hayward Gordon Lock and Way Sun Greg Trabka Greg Stack Gregory M. Pierceall Gretta Winkelbauer Gretta Winkelbauer & Eric Strong Guy Sternberg Heather Sherwood Heather Prince Heather Marie Scholl Heeyoung Kim Heidi Joynt Helen Bartlett Hilary Noble Hunter De Luc Ian Glasspool Iris Lutz Iris Allen Isabel Schwabe Ivan Watters Jack Carlson Jack Carlson and Dave Cantwell Jackie Kendall Jaclyn Jacobs Jacob Burns Jacob Emrick James Villalpando Jamie Haddad Jamie Thome Jane Talesnick Janet Meakin Janet Trierweiller Janet Austin Janit Calvo Jay Taylor Jeane Cohen Jeff Epping Jeffrey Gorra Jeffrey True Jeffrey H. Bunn Jennifer Murtoff Jenny Roe Jerrod Schober Jerry Hug Jerry L. Garner Jessica Rodriguez Jessica Ellington Jessica Hannah Jill Jonnes Jill Selinger Jill Selinger and William Moss Jim Nau Jim Steffen Jim Jabcon Jim Steffen Jodi Mariano Joe & LaShanda Lewis John Eskandari John Raffeto John Pastoriza Pinol John Pastoriza-Piñol Pastoriza-Piñol Jonathan Green Jordan Scherer Jordan Scherer and Taylor Cowan Judith Joseph Judy Logback Julia Zoltowsky Julia Bunn Julie Sajtar Julie Engleman Julie Siegel Juliet Liu Waite Justin Bain, Ph.D Justin Schmitz Justin LeBlanc KaMele Sanchez Karen Thomson Karianne Soulsby Karolena Hughes Kathe Stoepel Katherine Kotowski Kathie Hayden Kathryn Deery Kathy Johnson Kay Thomas Kendall Jackie Kenny Larson Kerry Mendez Kimberly Mullarkey Kris De la Torre Kristin Ryan Kristina Smith Kristyn Moore Lauren Johnson Lauren "Lo" Bosworth Leah Mulder Leanne Trivett Lee Anne White Leora Siegel Leslie Buck Linda Oyama Bryan Lisa Hilgenberg Lisa Beard Liz Paine Liz Rex Lorilin Meyer Luciano Giubbilei Lydia Crespo Lynda Mapes Lynette Rodriguez Lynn Bement Lynn Quinn Maggie Meiners Manny Sanchez Marian McNair Mark Dwyer Mark Heidelberger Mark Osgood Mark McMahon Mark Zampardo Marlene Hill Donnelly Marta McDowell Mary Ann Spina Mary Kay Gill Mary-Beth Manning Marysol Ornelas Meg Dhamer Melanie Bromberek Melissa Leger Mia Park Michael Jesiolowski Michael Jeffords & Susan Post Michael Jeffords & Susan Post Michelle Maestre Mindy Silberg Moira OKeefe Molly Kobelt Molly Kobelt and Heidi Joynt Mui Baltrunas Nancy Clifton Nancy Halliday Natalie Boyett Natasha Lehrer Lewis Nicholas Peterson Nichole Strafaci & Jennifer Fabos Patton Nicole Putzel Nikki Luna Paz Nikki Nigl Nina Koziol Nina Weiss Nina Koziol & Marcy Stewart-Pyziak Pam Tokowitz Pam Karlson Pam Gross & Lisa Hilgenberg Pamela Self Pamela Feldman Pati Jinich Patrick Eccles Patrick Sbordone Patrick Leacock Patsy Welch Paul Krysik Paul Laiblin Paul Lucas Peter Nagle Peter Berthelsen Peterson Garden Project Phillip Douglas Phyllis Kaplan Priscilla Humay Professor Drori R. Thomas Selinger R. William Thomas Rachel Catlett Rafael Arredondo Richard Hawke Rick Darke Roberta Asher Roberta Asher Robin Carlson Rochelle Wiedenhoeft & Korbin Paul Rowen White Roy Diblik Roy Diblik & Anatoliy Khmara Ruth Clausen Sally Peterson Sandra Bacon Sandy Bulgrin Sarah Nolimal Sarah Schultz Sean Kelley Sean Regan Sean Sherman Shaili Guru Shannon Catalano Sharon Washington Sharon Yiesla Sharyn Galindo Shawn Sheehy Sheldon Simeon Shelley Galloway Sheryl DeVore Shilpi Saxena Simon Majumdar Skip Sperling Stephanie Rose Bird Steve Nakon Steve Bailey Steve Nakon and Patricia Nakon Stevie Hanley Suzanne Walker Suzanne Wegener Tamara Mannelly Terese Hajduk Theresa Mieseler Thomas Soulsby Thomas Mikolajczyk Thomas Selinger Thomas Trausch Tim Johnson Tim Gruner Tim Pollak Tim Lally Tim Gruner and Elizabeth Hubert Timothy Lally Tobin Fraley Tom Fritz Tom Soulsby Tom Tiddens Tom Fritz Tom Weaver Tom Tiddens & Kathie Hayden Tom Tiddens, Thomas Fritz & Mike Annes Tom Tiddens, Thomas Fritz and Chris Beiser Tom, Mike & Thomas Tiddens, Annes & Fritz Toni Tipton-Martin Tony Gebely Tony Wasemann Tracey Buchman & Julie Engelman Valerie Gerdes Lemme Valerie Gerdes and Tim Lally Valerie Gerdes Lemme and Jeffrey True Valerie Lemme Gerdes Vita Levar Vivian Zapata Wade Wheatley Walker Jacobs Wicker Mui Wil Pilipauskas William Moss
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