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THE HISTORICAL
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“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Kennett Township in Kennett Square in Chester County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
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Italian Water Garden

 
 
Italian Water Garden Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 12, 2015
1. Italian Water Garden Marker
Inscription. Pierre du Pont, Longwood Gardens' founder, built this cool, shady fountain garden from 1925 to 1927. The basic layout of the garden is similar to one seen by Mr. and Mrs. du Pont at the Villa Gamberaia, near Florence, Italy, on their 1913 European trip.
Mr. du Pont was inspired by the Italian water garden and recreated the basic design, including a play on perspective. The two most distant corner pools are 14 feet longer than those nearer, creating the illusion that all four pools are identical in size. The 600 jets of water and a water staircase are his unique additions. Visit Longwood's Heritage Exhibit, located in the Peirce-du Pont House, to learn more about Mr. du Pont's design and construction of this magnificent garden.
Italian Water Garden, 1930.
(The fountains run continuously from mid-April to mid-October from 9:00 am until dusk.)
 
Erected by Longwood Gardens.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: EntertainmentMan-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.
 
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 39° 52.449′ N, 75° 40.212′ W. Marker was in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, in Chester County. It was in Kennett Township. It could
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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. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square PA 19348, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Southeast Pennsylvania and in Greater Philadelphia. It was also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 location: A different marker also named Italian Water Garden (a few steps from this marker); Indian Hannah (within shouting distance of this marker); Victorian Marker, 1870 (within shouting distance of this marker); A Foreign Dignitary (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named A Foreign Dignitary (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Peirce's Woods (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Peirce's Woods (about 600 feet away); Peirce's Park (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kennett Square.
 
Also see . . .  Longwood Gardens. (Submitted on August 15, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
 
Italian Water Garden Marker at Center image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 12, 2015
2. Italian Water Garden Marker at Center
Atop the center stone post in this view, facing skyward.
Italian Water Garden & Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 12, 2015
3. Italian Water Garden & Marker
The entire fountain complex alternates on and off every few minutes.
Italian Water Garden image. Click for full size.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 26, 2021
4. Italian Water Garden
 
 
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 854 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on August 15, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.   4. submitted on October 19, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
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Jun. 8, 2026