Welcome to Tyler Formal Gardens

Welcome to Tyler Formal Gardens. . , Tyler Formal Gardens served as an "outdoor parlor" for George F. and Stella Elkins Tyler, original owners of the former baronial estate that comprised nearly 2,000 acres of prime Bucks County real estate. Perched on a hilltop overlooking Neshaminy Creek, the property still affords a view that , "... is one never to be forgotten," , as opined by Charles Willing of Willing, Sims and Talbutt-the Philadelphia architectural firm contracted to construct the mansion, service cottages, support buildings, and four-tier Italianate gardens., Indian Council Rock, which was the property's original name derived from a time when early Native American tribes counseled on an adjacent cliff, had all the trademarks of a typical country estate during the early twentieth century. It is believed to be the last of the great estates ever constructed in the country. In 1987, Tyler Hall (as the mansion is now known) and Tyler Formal Gardens were placed on the National Register of Historical Places., Both the mansion and gardens are Bucks County gems, and their restoration and maintenance are important to the college and the community. This historic site is a step back in time to an era of elegance that included the Golden Age of American Gardens., THE TYLERS AND THEIR HOME , George Frederick Tyler (1883-1947), a scion to a banking and investment family of Mayflower descendants, was a prominent banker, progressive farmer, and avid sportsman. Stella Elkins Tyler (1884-1963), the granddaughter of William L. Elkins (for whom Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, was named), was a strong supporter of the arts and a late-blooming sculptor who studied under Boris Blai., Visit www.bucks.edu/about/history/gardens [bad link] for more information about the Tylers and their estate. Further information is also provided in Tyler Elegance: A Garden Odyssey, a pictorial history of the gardens that is available at the BCCC Bookstore and BCCC Foundation., THE COLLEGE , When George Tyler died in 1947, the estate was bequeathed to his wife, who lived there until 1962 when she returned to Chestnut Hill. Upon Stella Tyler's death in 1963, Temple University inherited 200 acres of the property, and the state was willed the rest as park land now known as Tyler State Park., In 1964, the Bucks County Authority acquired the property from Temple, and Bucks County Community College opened in the fall of 1965., THE GARDENS , Covering one acre, Tyler Formal Gardens were influenced by French and Italian horticulture. The early gardens demonstrated characteristics common to early twentieth-century formal gardens in the Philadelphia area, including gravel walkways, fountains, sculptures, parterres, swimming pool, and tennis courts., For detailed information about the gardens today, please see the "Tyler Formal Gardens Guide” on display., RESTORING AND MAINTAINING THE GARDENS , Formal restoration of the gardens began in 1999 and reflects the necessary balance between historical accuracy and public use issues., Numerous repair and restoration projects have been completed, including installing formal hedging and planting beds, upgrading fountain plumbing, refurbishing and installing Stella Tyler's statues, renewing gravel pathways, laying sodded lawns, installing replica doorway gates and marble bench, adding large concrete urns, repairing flagstone terraces and fountain patios as well as stone stairways and retaining walls., VISITING THE GARDENS , Please enjoy the gardens and help keep them looking their best by respecting these few requests: , . Do not sit or climb on the sculptures. , . Do not engage in any sport activities, including martial arts and yoga, on the lawns. , . Do not litter or drop cigarette butts on the ground. , . Do not toss items into the fountains. , . Pick up after your pets. , . Register with the college and the Security Office (215-968-8395) before arranging photo shoots with large groups such as wedding parties., [Photo captions, clockwise from bottom left, read] , . [The Tylers] C. 1940s, . [Gardens view from terrace] C. 1934, . BUILDING THE GARDENS, C. 1932, . COMPLETED COURTYARD TERRACE, C. 1934, . [Far right photo of Gardens view with fountain] C. 1934