Kennett Township near Kennett Square in Chester County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Peirce's Woods

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 12, 2015

1. Peirce's Woods Marker

Inscription. The Peirce family, owners of this land from 1700 to 1905, collected and planted trees in rows near the house. By 1850, they had developed Peirce's Park, one of this nation's finest arboretums. The adjoining woodland is known as Peirce's Woods.
In 1906, Pierre du Pont (1870-1954) purchased the property to preserve the trees. Although Peirce's Park and Woods have been overshadowed by the magnificent gardens, fountains, and Conservatory, the trees remain the reason Longwood Gardens exists.
Today, Peirce's Woods has been developed as an art-form garden. Various "rooms" have been created within the woods with emphasis on native deciduous azaleas. The long azalea bloom period and wonderful fragrance are a highlight from early spring to summer. Throughout the year, visitors will find a feast for the senses: sumptuous fragrances, dazzling colors, exciting textures, and impressive vistas.

To learn more about Longwood's history, visit the Heritage Exhibit in the Peirce-du Pont House.

Erected by Longwood Gardens.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1700.

Location. 39° 52.426′ N,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

75° 40.315′ W. Marker is near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, in Chester County. It is in Kennett Township. It can be reached from Longwood Road west of East Baltimore Pike (U.S. 1), on the right when traveling west. The marker stands on the grounds of Longwood Gardens east of the Peirce-du Pont House. 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and in Greater Philadelphia.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

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); A Foreign Dignitary (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named A Foreign Dignitary

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 12, 2015

2. Eastward

Marker is close, at right. A paved path begins southward on the other side of the marker, turning west behind the marker.

(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Indian Hannah (about 300 feet away); Victorian Marker, 1870 (about 400 feet away); Peirce's Park (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Italian Water Garden (about 600 feet away); Peirce-du Pont House (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kennett Square.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Italian Water Garden (was about 500 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Longwood Gardens. (Submitted on August 15, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 12, 2015

3. Westward

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 12, 2015

4. Southward

Peirce's Woods image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 12, 2015

5. Peirce's Woods

Peirce's Woods and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 26, 2021

6. Peirce's Woods and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 630 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on January 26, 2023, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 15, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 6. submitted on October 19, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.