What is now Longwood Gardens was originally purchased from William Penn in 1700 by a fellow Quaker named George Peirce (1646–1734). Although it started as a working farm, in 1798 Joshua and Samuel Peirce planted the first specimens of an arboretum. By 1850 they had amassed one of the finest collections of trees in the nation.
Industrialist Pierre S. du Pont (1870–1954) purchased the property from the Peirce family in 1906 to save the arboretum from being sold for lumber. He made it his private estate, and from 1906 until the 1930s, du Pont added extensively to the property. A world traveler from an early age, du Pont was often inspired to add features to the garden after attending world's fairs, the most notable additions being the massive conservatory, complete with a massive pipe organ, and the extensive system of fountains. Mr. Du Pont opened his estate to the public many days of the year during his occupancy.
After the completion of the fountains, du Pont began planning for the sustained life of Longwood Gardens after his death. He founded the Longwood Foundation in 1937, and in 1946 the foundation was chartered with running Longwood Gardens for the general education and enjoyment of the public.
We didn't have long so we made a quick visit to Longwood Gardens near the town of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. First stop was the topiary garden where bushes are shaped beautifully.
After a nice lunch we went to the fountains and got an extra show with a young girl...
... turning somersaults.
I did get one flower picture...
...a waterfall and Chimes Tower ...
... and the eye of water.
The grounds here are wonderful and massive it really takes a full day to see everything.
The buildings nestle in the shade of huge trees...
... some are huge and so old the stand only with a crutch.
In June of 2005we had time for a proper visit here and if you want please that blog by [clicking here]
No Scrabble
Quote of the Day ~
"The garden suggests there might be a place where we can meet nature halfway" ~ Michael Pollan an American author, journalist, activist, and professor of journalism at the University of California, Berkeley.
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