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Longwood Gardens: A history
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While you might think of gardens as a summertime pleasure, Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania has something blooming every day of the year.
While the summertime brings cascades of water fountains and special fireworks at night, autumn offers a blaze of turning leaves and deep-colored flowers along the long garden path that forms one section of Longwood Gardens.The four-acre indoor conservatories offer seasonal displays under a glass dome and are well known for their Christmas displays, while the statuary, Chimes Tower and evergreens are interesting in any season.
The gardens were the inspiration of Pierre S. du Pont, great-grandson of the founder of the Dupont fortune. Irenee, the founder, emigrated from France to start a black powder factory on the banks of the Brandywine River in Wilmington, Delaware. Black powder was the ingredient that “fired” musket balls and cannons, and the company was soon successful. Later generations expanded the Du Pont Company into chemicals and investments.
The great grandchildren of du Pont dotted the Brandywine Valley with their homes and estates. Their now public homes include Winterthur, the decorative arts museum set in its own luxurious garden estate, Nemours, the private home of Alfred, built in the style of Louis 16th, and Longwood Gardens on the Pennsylvania side.
Pierre was always interested in horticulture and when, in 1907, he heard that the Pierce farm and arboretum was to be sold and torn down, he stepped in and rescued the stand of hardwood trees that was to become the nucleus of Longwood Gardens. He added formal gardens copied from water gardens of Italy and France, meadows and copses reminiscent of England and display fountains for entertainment. The conservatories were first built in 1921 and have been a focal point for indoor wonder ever since.
For details on the conservatories see my article:http://www.examiner.com/x-8862-New-Jersey-Day-Trips-Examiner~y2009m11d8-The-conservatories-at-Longwood-Gardens
For information on the special Christmas display see: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8862-New-Jersey-Day-Trips-Examiner~y2009m11d10-A-Longwood-Garden-Christmas--Lights-dancing-fountains-and-poinsettias
Outdoors, there are twenty separate gardens. The water fountains dominate the square in front of the conservatories. Nearby are topiaries: trees and bushes that are trained and pruned into geometrical or animal shapes. The heaths and heather give a Scottish look to a far section that leads to the Chimes Tower. This tower boasts a 62-bell carillon, which sounds off several times during the day.
Over the years, Longwood Gardens has become more conscious of its patrons comfort. In 1983, the Terrace Buffet was opened to serve soups, sandwiches and hot meals, cafeteria style. (Before that, visitors had to picnic outside or find a local restaurant). More recently a formal restaurant was added for lunchtime patrons. It is best to reserve for this room which also features a Sunday brunch. Wheelchairs and a few motorized carts are available for rental at the Visitor Center. And the gift shop keeps expanding its wonderful trove of plants, books, note cards, playing cards and garden-related knickknacks. A four-minute film at the Visitor Center and a full map that comes with the welcoming brochure should be sufficient for most visitors to tour the gardens.
Hours: (2009) Fall: 9-5; Christmas Display: 9-9.
Location: Route 1, near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, 30 miles west of Philadelphia
Admission: Adults: $16.00; Seniors: $14.00; Students 5-22: $6.00. Four and under: free
Telephone: 610-388-1000.
Website: www.longwoodgardens.org
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