The Conservatory at Miami Hamilton

The Conservatory supports the instructional and research programs of Miami University, to maintain a scientifically verified collection of plants and flowers, to enhance the knowledge and appreciation of plants and flowers through public education and interpretive programs, and to promote the conservation of natural resources. Our vision is to promote the betterment of the academic programs of Miami University and the schools and citizens of the region.

Plan a Visit

Admission to The Conservatory is always free!

Hours

For Fall 2026, our public hours will be:

Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Sunday: Closed to the Public

The Conservatory is closed for all Miami University weather closures and holidays, including: 9/7 (Labor day) and 11/26-29 (Thanksgiving).

Hours are subject to change due to staff availability. Please follow us @MURConservatory on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

To arrange access outside these hours, please email: MURConservatory@MiamiOH.edu.

Directions and Parking

1601 University Blvd
Hamilton, OH 45011

BCRTA schedules to and from the Hamilton campus.

Parking information for visitors

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Atrium

The Atrium welcomes our visitors, is home to our largest plant specimens, and is gateway to the other collection rooms, the Meeting Room, and The Conservatory's work areas. It features a hexagonal dome topped by a cupola that is illuminated at night to serve as a welcome beacon from the "Gem of Hamilton."

Outdoor Bogs

Behind The Conservatory, three mini muskegs contain many low pH loving species, including carnivorous pitcher plants and bog orchids. Muskegs are a collective of sphagnum-based environments, including bogs that are fed by rainwater and fens that are fed by surface water and/or groundwater.

Behind the Conservatory with three mini muskegs

Desert Room

The Desert Room houses native xerophytes (plants that are heat and drought resistant.) These plants are from Northern Mexico, the US Southwest, North and South Africa, Madagascar, the Middle East, Northwestern India, the South American Southwest, Central Asia, and Australia.

Formal Landscape

The formal gardens and groves that surround the building contain many native perennial herbs, shrubs, and trees or cultivars of same. These areas are dedicated to sharing with the community the beauty, utility, and versatility of native Ohio plants for landscaping.

Exterior of The Conservatory with view of formal plantings and water feature.

Horticultural Room

The Horticultural Room contains frost-tender plants that would probably not exist but for the care of humans. These include a wide range of colorful cultivars (cultivated varieties) and hybrids.

Prairie

The tallgrass prairie is a reconstruction of a biome type that was once frequently found in Southwest Ohio that has largely been replaced by farms and urban development. All of the plants in our prairie are native Ohio plant species and their varieties. The current prairie is undergoing an expansion that includes a nature trail that winds through the area to make observing the plants more easy for everyone.

Tropical Room

The Tropical Room houses plants that are native to regions of the world that have warm, humid, and relatively uniform climates with frequent rains. These regions are Central America, Northern South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Northern Australia, and various tropical islands.

Multiple examples of tropical flora that is adapted to a hot, steamy environment, including vines climbing on structures, in pots on tables and the floor, and hanging from hooks attached to high bars.

Research Room

The Conservatory offers a Research and Teaching room. Access is restricted to students and staff during classes and meetings.

Give to The Conservatory

Help us continue to increase The Conservatory's visibility in the region, enhance educational programs related to plants, flowers, and nature, and enhance the advocacy and financial support of our botanical gardens.

You can support The Conservatory by donating through the link below or by opting into the Kroger Community Rewards Program. To join the Community rewards program, sign into your online account, search for "Miami University Hamilton Conservatory" (LV102) and click "enroll."

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