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Patrick Peoples L. C. Raymond ENGL 1101-E02 13 October 2013 The McMillan Greenhouse Among the many interesting building and organizations on campus, there are very few that can boast a reservation for both education and practicality in addition to soothing calm quietness. The McMillan Greenhouse displays a lot of past (and hopefully future) growth and presents opportunity for educational interaction with exotic species, a place to purchase local living decoration, and a peaceful place for exploration, meditating, or just a quick study-break. The McMillan Greenhouse serves as a classroom for those interested in plant life and its makeup and provides a tranquil escape for those seeking out a warm, natural atmosphere, but above all the building and its programs serve as a symbol of the Universitys appreciation for the environment itself in addition to UNC Charlottes desire to open doors for its students. Created by Tom and Dorothy McMillan by recommendation of the Universitys founder, Bonny Cone, Dr. Larry Mellichamp, a former student and current professor, alongside Paula Gross, a lecturer and the assistant director of the Botanical Gardens, run the greenhouse and, along with four gardeners and two part-time employees, they organize programs and even care for the plants within (Tate). When the Greenhouse was erected in the mid 1960s, it was a mere ten foot by fourteen foot hut. By the late 70s, the greenhouse was expanded by more than 1,000 square feet and was

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devoted entirely to greenhouse benefactors Tom and Dorothy McMillans orchid collection (Tate). Both the hobbyist plant shed and its successor were vital first steps in the growth and development of the plexiglass enclosed plant sanctuary we know the Greenhouse to be today. Now standing a significantly larger 5,000 square feet, the Greenhouse houses eight separate rooms, all of which are climate-controlled and isolated to suit different plant species needs. In order to keep the plants well-nourished, the Greenhouse uses rainwater collected and housed in an external tank to water the plants growing in the building. It is the intention of those responsible for the renovations of the house to recycle water that might not be usable for other purposes which is a good motion because according to research gathered by Stephen C. Brown, the Earths drinkable water accounts for only .007 percent of the overall water supply. Taking full advantage of the necessary resources the Earth provides can help to leave as little a footprint as possible. Although the list of reasons for the Greenhouses existence is a lengthy one, upon a visit to the greenhouse it is obvious that one of their motives is to present unusual, exotic plantsto demonstrate the diversity of the planets flora (McMillan). The greenhouse is home to well over a dozen species, ranging from the common and beautiful to the exotic and strange. And while aesthetic appreciation of the many flowers and vines is welcomed, those who maintain both the Greenhouse and the beautiful paths of its counterpart, the Botanical Garden also located on campus, would rather impress an appreciation of the environment from which the plants came forth in addition to the knowledge that can be gained from its study: The Gardens were begun to serve as a living classroom for biology students and as a horticultural and botanical resource for the campus and greater community. This was a unique beginning, as university botanical gardens usually

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spring from a formal horticulture or botany department. Despite the absence of those departments, the Gardens (and greenhouses) founders believed a university campus was not complete without the educational and cultural resource... (History par. 2). In short, both the University and the Greenhouses benefactors believe that education as well as stimulating environmental-mindedness are the most important aspects of the McMillan Greenhouse. The Greenhouse is open most weekdays from ten o clock AM until three oclock PM. During that relatively long block of time anyone can walk through and explore. Despite the many interesting things found inside the walls of the greenhouse like intelligent carnivorous plants, hand-made sculpture, and even a man-made bog, it would appear that their plant sanctuary doesnt get many student-visitors. In a recent survey, 100% of the freshman questioned expressed that they had in fact heard of the greenhouse, though virtually none of them had visited (Peoples). The most common response from those students examined regarding why they had not visited was simply lack of interest. Although the McMillans would most likely be disappointed to know that, Mellichamp who oversees operation of the house reports that the majority of all people, over 25,000 annually hailing from more than twenty countries, who do take the time to visit the Greenhouse consider it time well spent and recognize plenty to spur an individuals attention. One visitor from Burlington, North Carolina accounts in an online review: room after room was packed with intriguing things but the plants and flowers do all of the talking (Trip Advisor 1)!

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Despite the Greenhouses apparent lack of accomplishment in attracting the Universitys students, particularly freshman, it is an overall successful part of Charlottes campus. With good history and plenty of natural beauty, if a short excursion is suggested by a group of friends or peers, itd be well worth the walk.

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Works Cited Brown, Stephen C. "CGI Challenge: Rainwater Harvesting; McMillan Greenhouse." UNC Charlotte, 2011. Web. 03 Oct. 2013. <http://cgi.uncc.edu/sites/cgi.uncc.edu/files/media/cgi-sample-proposal-1.pdf>. "History." Botanical Gardens. UNC Charlotte, n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2013. "McMillan Greenhouse." Botanical Gardens. UNC Charlotte, n.d. Web. 06 Oct. 2013. M, Ed. "A Wonderful Little Surprise - Orchids in December!" Rev. of McMillan Greenhouse. Trip Adviser - Traveler Reviews 29 Dec. 2012: 1. Web. 02 Oct. 2013. Peoples, Patrick D. "McMillan Greenhouse." Online survey. 07-11 Oct. 2013. Tate, Lori K. "Window to the World." Our State Magazine. Our State: North Carolina, n.d. Web. 04 Oct. 2013.