Travel Through Over 150 Years of Conservatory Architecture

An archival library of historic conservatories, orangeries, and greenhouses dating back to the 18th Century.

A Note From The Authors…

“Thirty years ago, we were first smitten with a love for conservatories while traveling and studying abroad. Combined with our backgrounds in art and architecture, our business, Tanglewood Conservatories, was the natural conclusion. As our passion for conservatories continued to blossom, it inspired us to write The Conservatory: Gardens Under Glass, and later partner with the Conservatory Heritage Society to create this archival library as an evolving extension of our publication.

Through our own experiences and listening to our client’s experiences in their private conservatories, these rooms are magical, delightful, and otherworldly, so different from every other room you would experience. We hope through our publication and this library, we inspire others to seek to be part of preserving these glass wonders as they find their place in the modern world.”

-Alan Stein & Nancy Virts

Book Buzz: What Readers Are Saying

  • Richard Barley

    Director of Horticulture Learning & Operations
    at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

    “Occasionally in history, there is a fortuitous confluence that brings together the potent and energetic streams of capability, creativity, opportunity, fashion, and desire… the projects in The Conservatory: Gardens Under Glass represent exactly such…”

  • Megan Backhouse

    Writer for the Sydney Morning Herald, Australia

    “It's a story that brings together the worlds of engineering, architecture and horticulture. Food, fashion, plant collecting, power, prestige, science, public education and environmental stewardship all play a part.”

  • Dana Mauer

    Writer for the American Farmhouse Style Magazine

    “The striking beauty and surprising capabilities of conservatories make it easy to see why they’ve been preserved and improved upon throughout history”

Access the Library

Complete the form below to access this historic conservatory library for FREE!
Donations are appreciated as we continue to research and expand the collection.