FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory is getting ready to wrap up its 40th anniversary celebration. The Conservatory's footprint expands beyond downtown Fort Wayne but always has a community focus. It's what makes the Botanical Conservatory Positively Fort Wayne. "What makes it possible to have a Conservatory down in Fort Wayne really comes down to a vision that was had… in the 60s by Ester Foellinger. So this was her dream, this is something she really wanted to come to fruition. And her daughter, Helene, really pushed it across the finish line," shared Nate Cardelli, general manager of the Conservatory. That finish line came in November of 1983 when the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory opened its doors to the community. Neighbors growing together is Positively Fort Wayne "It's really the friend who is celebrating their birthday too long," laughed Nate. Along for the celebration, and almost since the Conservatory opened is horticulturist and landscaping manager Lynda Heavrin. "I was working evening and weekends for the parties as a receptionist…it had just opened. They were looking for someone who would work nights and weekeends. I really thought it was the coolest place in town. I thought I had the best job in town," said Lynda. Lynda grew alongside the plants at the Conservatory which ultimately led her to becoming a horticulturalist. And she's seen the decades of changes. "I've watched the plants grow up just like kids. They were so small when it first opened," said Lynda. In fact, in the Tropical House you can find plants that have been there since day one. Since that November 1983 day, the Conservatory has welcomed millions of guests, including now employee Kelsey Gerig. "When I was a kid, I came here with my grandmother and on field trips. So I really only had those two lenses. And unfortunately, I've gone many years in between visits. And that's something we hear a lot. Adults will come and say, "Oh, I haven't been here since my 3rd grade field trip." And they're surprised by how much we have to offer and how much they enjoy it," said Kelsey. Orchids in the Tropical House at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical ConservatoryTropical House at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical ConservatoryClose-up of the waterfall in the Tropical House of the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical ConservatoryGreenery in the Tropical House at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical ConservatoryFoellinger-Freimann Botanical ConservatoryRaise a Glass showcase at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical ConservatoryFoellinger-Freimann Botanical ConservatoryFoellinger-Freimann Botanical ConservatoryRaise a Glass showcase at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical ConservatoryRaise a Glass showcase at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical ConservatoryFoellinger-Freimann Botanical ConservatoryRaise a Glass showcase at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical ConservatoryRaise a Glass showcase at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical ConservatoryFoellinger-Freimann Botanical ConservatoryFoellinger-Freimann Botanical ConservatoryEntrance sculpture at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory That can attributed to the Conservatory changing showcases like the 40th celebration Raise a Glass. Or the holiday-themed exhibits, like the Pumpkin Path Display, which the staff gets ready in a single day. One thing constant however is the incorporation of Fort Wayne. "We are truly local. We're a City of Fort Wayne-owned facility," said Kelsey. "We grow everything over at the Lawton Park greenhouse. When we have artists, we try to use local artists to feature their work in the showcase as we change that," said Lynda. The staff at the Conservatory says it's very rare for the city to have a greenhouse and botanical gardens -- making it truly Positively Fort Wayne. "I think if people visit it at least once that they'll see there's fun surprises all the time," said Lynda. "The mission at the Conservatory really boils down to we educate, we provide entertainment, and we provide enjoyment to the people of Fort Wayne. And if we're doing all three of those things in everything that we try to accomplish here at the Conservatory, we're doing well," said Nate. ‘Raise a Glass’ to 40 Years at the Botanical Conservatory While the Conservatory focuses on local, it proves it shines a light on the city. Sabina is visiting from Germany. She found out how truly lucky we are to have this downtown gem. "The atmosphere. I love the waterfall in there. And this being the first day with the pumpkins, I think I just really lucked out…It's beautiful. They put love in it. And it's calming. It's soothing. You know? It's kind of like a retreat. That's what it is, a retreat," said Sabina. The Conservatory says its attendance keeps on growing. In 2023 it saw the second-highest attendance record. As far as exhibits go, the Pumpkin Path is available until October 27. And the 40th anniversary showcase, Raise a Glass, is up until November 17. You can click here to learn more about the Conservatory.