Completed in 1984, the Visitor Center serves as the focal point for an expanding Master Plan. It contains rental, facilities management, education, and volunteer staff offices, classrooms, a small theater, gift shop, café, and a three-story conservatory. Two classrooms located on the upper level, one devoted exclusively to children's programs and activities, serve a variety of functions. The gift shop features books and art by local authors and artists. Changing art exhibitions with botanical, horticultural, and conservation themes enhance the Visitor Center foyer. The Visitor Center & Conservatory serve as a venue for banquets, lectures, concerts, receptions, weddings and other special events throughout the year.

The Visitor Center & Conservatory seen from the International Garden Lawn and a view of the interior

The conservatory features a permanent collection of tropical species representing beneficial plants of the tropics—plants from which beverages, foods, spices, medicines, fibers, building materials and industrial products are derived. Many plant species from tropical regions of the world, especially tropical rainforests, are endangered—a theme explored in many of the Garden's teaching, research and outreach activities. Designed by Norris, Hall, and Marsh Architects, construction of the Visitor Center & Conservatory was made possible by a gift from the Callaway Foundation of LaGrange, Georgia.

Rental Information

The Visitor Center & Conservatory is available for University functions and to the general public for private events. Rentals are handled through the Botanical Garden Rental Office. The Rental Office is open Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 am till 4:30 pm. For more information, download the following forms, e-mail the Garden at sbgrent@uga.edu, or call us at 706-542-6467.

Conservatory info >>
SBG rental policies >>