One of the premier botanical gardens in the United States, Longwood Gardens consists of 1,050 acres (4.2 km²) of gardens, woodlands, and meadows in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, in the Brandywine Valley. [1]

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Early history

The Longwood Garden 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. ^[2]

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. 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 pipe organ, and the extensive system of fountains.

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.

The Longwood Organ

Currently under renovations until 2010, the resident Longwood Organ is a 10,010 pipe instrument designed by Longwood organist-in-residence Firmin Swinnen, a Belgian musician who moved to the US in the 1920s and became a prominent theater organist in New York City. The organs pipes filled fourteen railway freight cars, and they needed a 72 horsepower blower motor to supply the air; the instrument was one of the largest pipe organs installed in a private residence. Pierre du Pont ordered a massive Aeolian organ in 1929 to replace the previous organ of 3,650 pipes, which he donated to the University of Delaware where it stayed until 1964 ^[3].

Longwood today

Today Longwood Gardens consists of 20 outdoor gardens and 20 indoor gardens within 4 acres (16,000 m²) of heated greenhouses, known as conservatories ^[4]. It contains 11,000 different types of plants, fountains and has extensive educational programs including a tuition-free , a graduate program, and extensive internships. It hosts 800 horticultural and performing arts events each year, from flower shows, gardening demonstrations, courses, and children’s programs to concerts, organ and carillon recitals, musical theatre, fountain shows, and fireworks displays. It also hosts an extensive Christmas light display during the holiday season.

In January 2003, the East Conservatory was closed for a renovation project. On October 29, 2005, the main hall of the East Conservatory was once again opened to the public. The remaining parts of the building remained under heavy construction until late 2007.

Gallery

See also

• List of botanical gardens in the United States
• Cannas at Longwood Gardens