TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– Over 100 years ago, the Davis Gardens hosted the World’s largest greenhouse here in Terre Haute– over 32 acres in total.
Now, the company is being remembered at the Vigo County Historical Museum, who unveiled an exhibit with family on hand Saturday.
James Owen, a family member of company founder J.W. Davis, said he was pleased with the exhibit, and hopes it inspires others to share their family history.
“We’ve been carrying around these things for decades, let’s put them in a museum and remember it for what it is,” he said. “We’re just a small part of the community here, I encourage anybody to do the same thing. Don’t hide it from us, bring it in here so we can all enjoy it.”
The exhibit includes a greenhouse– as well as many artifacts from the company that ran in Terre Haute for the the better part of the 20th century. Owen said his favorite part was a photo taken that shows the entire operational site. The photo was taken with a plane back when air travel was much more rare.
Owen got emotional when reflecting on generations of his family that worked on the company– something that started with one man going door-to-door selling produce.
“I think it speaks loudly that anybody could pursue an idea and make it happen,” he said. “That’s as old as this country is.:
The exhibit will be on display during regular visiting hours at the museum.
