History

Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens is named after the Nicholas family, who in March 2006, announced their donation of $2,150,000 toward the Conservatory project in honor of their parents, William and Ruby Nicholas.

William and Ruby met, married, and raised their family in Rockford. Like many families growing up in Rockford in the 1940s and 1950s, the three Nicholas brothers, Bill, Dan and Ab, spent much of their time outdoors enjoying Sinnissippi Park and the Rock River. The Nicholas brothers envisioned Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens as a gathering place for our community and a catalyst for future river development.