The construction of the Conservatory in the New York Botanical Garden was begun in 1899, eight years after that institution was incorporated by the New York State Legislature. The Botanical Garden, a non-profit institution, is located in the northern section of Bronx Park on land that was once a part of the Lorillard estate. After having visited the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in 1888, Dr. Nathaniel L. Britton, one of the most eminent botanists of his day, was inspired to establish a similar institution here.