Sefton Park Palm House

Completed in 1896, the Palm House was a gift to the City by Henry Yates Thompson. It was designed by an Edinburgh firm, MacKenzie & Moncur. The Palm House was designed in the tradition of Paxton's glass houses and was stocked originally with a magnificent collection of exotic plants. There were 9 marble statues on display inside together with a marble bench. On plinths around the outside there were a further 8 bronze/marble statues by Chavailiaud (1858-1921) of famous explorers and naturalists.

At the beginning of World War 2 the Palm House had been camouflaged in case the glass reflected the moonlight and act as a guide for warplanes. In the blitz of May 1941 a bomb fell nearby and shattered the Palm House glass. It was reglazed in 1950 (cost: £6,163) and continued to be enjoyed by the people of Liverpool. However, a period of decline and deterioration culminated in its closure in the l980's on grounds of safety.

In June 1992, a public meeting was held highlighting the dereliction and calling for restoration. A fundraising campaign was established, with a "sponsor a pane" programme generating over £35,000. This led directly to the conversion of Save the Palm House into a registered charity (Friends of Sefton Park Palm House), later Sefton Park Palm House Preservation Trust.

There was a feasibility study into possible uses of the Palm House and a number of events were held there - which were surprisingly successful in view of the unglazed state of the building. Working in partnership, Sefton Park Palm House Preservation Trust and Liverpool City Council were successful in bringing together a funding package to restore the building and construct new facilities to ensure a viable future for the Palm House. £2.5million was raised from Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage, European Regional Development Fund, Liverpool City Council and Sefton Park Palm House Preservation Trust.

The construction started in Februrary 2000 and was completed September 2001. The re-opening of the Palm House reflects the positive mood in Liverpool. It is a unique building of architectural and heritage interest, but the plans for its future use demonstrate creative imagination. Occupying a focal position in the park, it provides a central meeting place for ideas and people.