East Marlborough Township near Longwood in Chester County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Peirce's Woods
Where Nature and Design Meet
— Heritage, Horticulture & Design —
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 26, 2021
1. Peirce's Woods Marker
Originally part of the Peirces' working farm, this seven-acre woodland garden has been meticulously planned using native plants.
During the 19th century, the Peirce family tapped sugar maples on this site for syrup. They also turned the woods into a pleasure ground for local residents, hosting picnics and adding rowboats on the nearby lake. Today, Peirce's Woods has been developed into a unique garden highlighting the ornamental characteristics of a native deciduous forest - one of the first projects of its kind in a public garden.
"The purpose was to save the collection of old trees...many of them of extraordinary growth and arresting appearance."
— Pierre S. du Pont, 1945
[Photo captions, left to right, read]
• Peirce's Woods includes eight "rooms" emphasizing native deciduous azaleas. Cathedral Clearing features massive oaks and maples towering overhead, while the Rhododendron Rooms are secluded respites embraced by walls of greenery.
• In 1995, a team of Longwood gardeners collected more than 10,000 plants being threatened by a North Carolina highway project. Many of these refugees are now at home in Peirce's Woods.
Erected by Longwood Gardens.
Topics. This historical marker is listed
this page online
Location. 39° 52.386′ N, 75° 40.317′ W. Marker is near Longwood, Pennsylvania, in Chester County. It is in East Marlborough Township. Marker is on the grounds of Longwood Gardens, at the east end of the Flower Garden Walk plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square PA 19348, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Peirce's Woods (within shouting distance of this marker); Peirce's Park (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Italian Water Garden (about 600 feet away); The Peirce - du Pont House (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Italian Water Garden (about 700 feet away); Open Air Theatre (about 700 feet away); Flower Garden Walk (about 700 feet away); American Elm (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Longwood.
Also see . . . Longwood Gardens: The Rise & Fall of Peirce's Park. (Submitted on October 19, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 26, 2021
2. Peirce's Woods Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 121 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 19, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
