Washington, D.C., District of Columbia story
A Living Plant Museum
Most museums house paintings or pottery, but the U.S. Botanic Garden houses life itself. Established by Congress in 1820, it holds the title of the oldest continuously operating p…
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Most museums house paintings or pottery, but the U.S. Botanic Garden houses life itself. Established by Congress in 1820, it holds the title of the oldest continuously operating public garden in the United States.
It's essentially a living plant museum, where the exhibits aren't behind glass, but growing in the air. From the tropical forests and orchids in the Conservatory to the open-air beauty of the Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens, the site serves as a critical hub for the study and conservation of plants. With over a million visitors a year, it reminds us that nature is one of the most complex and beautiful pieces of art we have, and it's one that the U.S.
Congress has helped protect for over two centuries.
Updated June 2026