Purchased by Green-Wood Cemetery almost a year ago, the Weir Greenhouse, a historic landmark in New York City, will finally be getting the restoration that it deserves, thanks to a $500,000 grant awarded by the New York State’s Regional Economic Development Council.
Located in the corner of 25th Street and Fifth Avenue, the greenhouse is the only surviving Victorian greenhouse in New York City “to its 19th century glory,” reports say, with plans for it to be turned into a visitor’s center and an exhibition gallery.
“The Weir Greenhouse is an important New York City Landmark that sadly fell into disrepair over the decades,” said Richard Moylan, Green-Wood Cemetery’s president, in a statement.
“As a growing center of education, history and culture, Green-Wood is deeply committed to historic preservation. Once this restoration project is completed and the building is returned to its original beauty, the renovated structure will become an anchor in our community,” he continued.
In January 2012, the purchase was announced. At the time, Moylan said, “As Green-Wood runs out of new burial space in the next five years, it is incumbent on us to develop a strategic plan that will give us the necessary resources to preserve our art, sculpture, architecture, physical beauty and role as an important cultural center. Restoring the Weir Greenhouse is a key component of this plan.”
The architectural study of the greenhouse and “plans for its adaptive re-use” are expected to be completed shortly.
