Today I am so glad I did. Next Sunday Denny leaves for Costa Rica and we are making this weekend our special farewell. Today was a day at the Gardens. Tomorrow after preaching our last itineration service this time around we are going to the Red Caboose in Lancaster to spend the night. Monday we are taking a trip on the Stasburg train and eating a hobo lunch! Should be fun. But back to the Gardens....
Pierre DuPont's father was a chemist and experimented with the makings of gun powder. Later in years the Dupont company created smokeless gun powder. Pierre's father suddenly died in an explosion and Pierre became the father to 10 brothers and sisters. He graduated with a chemistry degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was the CEO of General Motors for a season and also DuPont Industries. Going through his home was wonderful, to see the artifacts and such. DuPont created so many things, one was the sponge, another was cellophane, still another was Dacron. The list was massive.
In the process of time living in Delaware, DuPont became aware of a park in Kennett Square, PA that was going to destroy all the trees and he admitted that he had a lapse in sanity and bought the park. Through his and his wife's dedication to saving the trees, Longwood Gardens was created. Interestingly, it was created for the public to enjoy. He and Alice didn't have children, but they loved children. There are 2 treehouses on the property even. At one last family reunion there were 672 people present. Now that is a large family!
As a matter of fact, just recently I heard on a Philadelphia morning show that Longwood Gardens is number 2 in the country for its beauty. Incidently number 8 on the list was another Garden in Wayne, PA. I thought that was so interesting, considering the fact that I was holding 2 tickets to Longwood Gardens!
Pierre passed away in 1954 and through his generosity the Gardens have remained a non-government institution. An institution for the arts, for education, for pleasure. It is a very delightful place.
DuPont and his wife travelled to Europe and through the dreaming and creating years of Longwood Gardens, they would return with ideas for their residence. He created an Italian Garden and Fountain.
The influence of Europe is evident throughout the gardens. As a matter of fact when we walked on the grounds Denny's first response was, "Does this remind you of Versailles?" Little did we know until after we saw the video on the house tour that indeed it really did have an influence on the DuPont's thinking.
The conservatory was asolutely breath-taking. 4000 acres of indoor beauty and exhibit halls. Rain Forest, Orchids, greenery,flowers to take your breath away.
It is such a beautiful place. I am so delighted it was the start of our weekend together.
Tulips and More Tulips! Just gorgeous...
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