What's AmeriFlora '92, and why was it such a big deal for Columbus?

Taijuan Moorman, The Columbus Dispatch
·3 min read
FILE --- John F. Wolfe accepts an American Flag from Barbara Bush during AmeriFlora 92 opening on April 20,1992 in Franklin Park. Bob Hope shows his approval while seated at the speakers stand. (Columbus Dispatch Photo by Mike Munden)
FILE --- John F. Wolfe accepts an American Flag from Barbara Bush during AmeriFlora 92 opening on April 20,1992 in Franklin Park. Bob Hope shows his approval while seated at the speakers stand. (Columbus Dispatch Photo by Mike Munden)

AmeriFlora '92, an international floral and garden exposition that commemorated the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas, celebrates its 31st anniversary on April 20.

The six-month-long event was held at the Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus and cost $95 million to produce. Although organizers had hoped to attract 4 million visitors, only about 2 million people visited the exhibition.

FILE -- Columbus, Ohio -- 1992 -- Invited guests listen to President George H. Bush's remarks at the opening of AmeriFlora '92 in Franklin Park on Columbus' eastside on April 20, 1992. (Columbus Dispatch Photo by Michael Munden) Franklin Park Conservatory is in the background. George H.W. Bush in Columbus .
FILE -- Columbus, Ohio -- 1992 -- Invited guests listen to President George H. Bush's remarks at the opening of AmeriFlora '92 in Franklin Park on Columbus' eastside on April 20, 1992. (Columbus Dispatch Photo by Michael Munden) Franklin Park Conservatory is in the background. George H.W. Bush in Columbus .

Despite the lower-than-expected attendance, AmeriFlora '92 made a significant impact on the Columbus community. The event prompted a $12 million renovation and expansion project of the Franklin Park Conservatory in preparation for the exhibition.

The city built anticipation for the event, including the installment of a massive Belgian floral carpet "rolled out" on the Ohio Statehouse lawn. The flowers were plucked from 15 nurseries in Belgium.

August 26, 1991 -- An aerial view of the floral carpet dedication ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse. This was nearly a year before AmeriFlora '92 officially opened.
August 26, 1991 -- An aerial view of the floral carpet dedication ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse. This was nearly a year before AmeriFlora '92 officially opened.

Huntington National Bank sponsored the $50,000 carpet display (over $100,000 today), which ran for three days.

On April 20, 1992, AmeriFlora '92 opened to the public with an opening ceremony attended by notable figures such as Bob Hope, President George H.W. Bush, First Lady Barbara Bush, Gov. George Voinovich and former Columbus Mayor Greg Lashutka.

FILE -- John F. Wolfe (center, back to camera) greets President George H. Bush as the President arrives for the opening of AmeriFlora 92 at Franklin Park in Columbus, Ohio on April 20, 1992. (Columbus Dispatch Photo by Doral Chenoweth, III) George H.W. Bush in Columbus .
FILE -- John F. Wolfe (center, back to camera) greets President George H. Bush as the President arrives for the opening of AmeriFlora 92 at Franklin Park in Columbus, Ohio on April 20, 1992. (Columbus Dispatch Photo by Doral Chenoweth, III) George H.W. Bush in Columbus .
FILE - AMERIFLORA 1992 - Optimara USA "African Violets" taken in April 1992.
FILE - AMERIFLORA 1992 - Optimara USA "African Violets" taken in April 1992.

The horticultural exposition was the first international flower show held in the United States. It featured exhibits from nearly 20 nations, restaurants, pubs, international shopping, theaters, an antique carousel, entertainment and gardens.

One of the top draws was an Old World Rose Garden with 130 varieties, including the official Barbara Bush Rose.

The AmeriFlora International Amphitheater hosted a television special featuring Bob Hope, Dolly Parton, Michael Feinstein, Boyz II Men and comedian Rita Rudner. The show titled "Bob Hope's America: Red, White and Beautiful - The Swimsuit Edition" aired on NBC on May 16, 1992, and had an estimated 30 million viewers.

By August 10, 1992, officials reported that an estimated 1,225,000 people had visited AmeriFlora since its opening. First Lady Barbara Bush visited the exhibit for a second time on September 17, 1992.

FILE - AMERIFLORA - Visitors feel like they are in the streets of Monaco at the Monaco Exhibit on September 1, 1992.
FILE - AMERIFLORA - Visitors feel like they are in the streets of Monaco at the Monaco Exhibit on September 1, 1992.

On October 12, 1992, AmeriFlora '92 closed its doors, but it had a lasting impact on the Columbus community. A study conducted in November of that year found that AmeriFlora and other events in 1992 had generated $562 million in the Columbus economy, with more than $147 million in wages and salaries. This, in turn, generated another $415 million in spinoff spending on various goods and services.

The permanent NavStar '92 sculpture, by Bexley artist Stephen Canneto and created for AmeriFlora, includes a time capsule placed inside set to be opened in 2092. Among the items inside are 26 pages of The Dispatch, a bow tie and other items from Ohio State University and a letter from former Columbus Mayor Dana "Buck" Rinehart, titled "Greetings From a Dead Mayor."

The newly enhanced and expanded Franklin Park Conservatory re-opened to the public on March 20, 1993, after closing for two years as part of its renovation. The conservatory has continued to offer a variety of exhibits and events—including the annual Blooms and Butterflies—bringing joy and education to visitors of all ages.

FILE - AMERIFLORA 1992 - Mabel Lowery (right) and Bertha Himelrigh (left) enjoy the Central Ohio Flower Growers Association's exhibit on July 14, 1992.
FILE - AMERIFLORA 1992 - Mabel Lowery (right) and Bertha Himelrigh (left) enjoy the Central Ohio Flower Growers Association's exhibit on July 14, 1992.
FILE - AMERIFLORA 1992 - A sea of Chrysanthemums lead the eyes of visitors to the Navstar sculpture on the right and to the Franklin Park Conservatory in the background on a bright sunny August 29, 1992 afternoon.
FILE - AMERIFLORA 1992 - A sea of Chrysanthemums lead the eyes of visitors to the Navstar sculpture on the right and to the Franklin Park Conservatory in the background on a bright sunny August 29, 1992 afternoon.

More photos: Remembering AmeriFlora '92

tmoorman@dispatch.com

@taijuannichole

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus history: A look back at AmeriFlora '92, 31 years later