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

Open Air Theatre

Photographed by Pete Skillman, April 18, 2025

1. Open Air Theatre Marker

Inscription.
The Open Air Theatre combines horticulture, fountains, and performance to create one of the most unique and magic outdoor theatres in the world.

Our founder Pierre S. du Pont designed and built the Theatre in 1913. Since its debut in 1914, the Open Air Theatre has delighted visitors of all ages, hosting countless performances of world-renowned artists in music, theatre, and dance.

Enjoy our daily fountain shows from spring through the Christmas holiday season.

(Caption):
Photograph of Marine Band Concert in the Open Air Theatre, 1955

Erected by Longwood Gardens.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 39° 52.344′ N, 75° 40.481′ W. Marker is in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, in Chester County. It is in East Marlborough Township. It can be reached from Longwood Road west of East Baltimore Pike (U.S. 1), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square PA 19348, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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 Century of Great Art (a few steps from this marker); Japanese Flowering Dogwood (within shouting distance of this marker); Flower Garden Walk (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Open Air Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); American Elm (within shouting distance of this marker); Iron Snakes (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Peirce-du Pont House (about 400 feet away); Peirce's Park (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kennett Square.

Other markers no longer nearby. Fountains / Concerts (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing); A Celebration of Art and Nature

Open Air Theatre Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, April 18, 2025

2. Open Air Theatre Marker - wide view

(was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named American Elm (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Peirce - du Pont House (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

The Open Air Theatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 25, 2025

3. The Open Air Theatre

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 149 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 18, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. 3. submitted on October 26, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.