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

A Foreign Dignitary

By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 25, 2025

1. A Foreign Dignitary Marker

Inscription. This tree may resemble some of the native Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) trees growing nearby, but look closely. This is a Metasequoia, or Dawn Redwood, a tree native to China that was thought to be extinct until the 1940s. This noble specimen was planted during the late 1940s or early 1950s, and remains here despite the later conversion of Peirce's Woods into an art-form garden using only native plants.

Erected by Longwood Gardens.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry.

Location. 39° 52.427′ N, 75° 40.252′ W. Marker is in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, in Chester County. It is in Kennett Township. It can be reached from Longwood Road north of East Baltimore Pike (U.S. 1), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 Webb Barn Ln, 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

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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: Indian Hannah (within shouting distance of this marker); Victorian Marker, 1870 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named A Foreign Dignitary (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Italian Water Garden (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Peirce's Woods (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Peirce's Woods (about 400 feet away); Peirce's Park (about 800 feet away); Peirce-du Pont House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kennett Square.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Italian Water Garden (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

A Foreign Dignitary Marker in front of the tree image. Click for full size.

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

2. A Foreign Dignitary Marker in front of the tree

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 38 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 26, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.