LONGWOOD CHIMES310
Our largest expansion in more than a century, Longwood Reimagined marked a milestone in our Gardens’ history. Not only does it continue our legacy of innovation and advance our commitment to garden design, architecture, and preservation—it also leads to even more beauty, joy, and togetherness in our Gardens. In this issue, we share a behind-thescenes look at the final weeks of preparation leading up to the grand opening. From planting in the West Conservatory to plating in the new 1906 … moving into new workspaces to monitoring new systems … readying for preview events to celebrating the public debut, we hope you enjoy this pictorial record of bringing this complex, diverse, and amazing project to life.
Longwood Reimagined, realized.
Features
4
Part One: Moving On Up A highly orchestrated move into the refurbished Potting Shed and The Grove.
46
Part Four: This Magic Moment Longwood Reimagined makes its grand public debut, along with the opening of A Longwood Christmas
14
Part Two: Readying for Reimagined Preparing our brand-new spaces for our public opening was an all-hands-on-deck effort—with spectacular results.
56
Thank You We gratefully acknowledge the generosity of our Longwood Innovators.
30
Part Three: Opening Ceremonies Completing and debuting a transformative project.
MOVING ON UP
Moving can be a chore … deciding what to take and what to leave, packing boxes, labeling boxes, unpacking … it’s, well, work. Now imagine coordinating offices moving from 13 different locations, bringing an entire archive of materials stored offsite back on campus, and moving a 20,000-volume library. That was the task—and more—faced by staff in late summer as they began to move into The Grove, the refurbished Potting Shed, and the new Horticulture Workroom below the West Conservatory. More than 1,500 boxes, bins, and miscellaneous office materials were packed and left in old spaces only to miraculously reappear just a few days later in new offices ready for unpacking.
Making Our Move
Transitioning into our new spaces was a flurry of activity. A total of 89 staff members moved into the refurbished Potting Shed and The Grove—a 46,000-square-foot community hub named after the nearby grove of London plane-trees—in August 2024. Staff moves were staged by location and department, in a highly orchestrated operation with military-like precision. From unpacking new offices, to shelving our library materials, to meeting new neighbors and checking out new amenities and collaborative meeting areas … everyone happily settled into our new, beautiful spaces.
Shared Knowledge
The Grove was designed as a shared space of learning, growth, and discovery, bringing together our community of staff, students, and volunteers under one roof to inspire each other, engage in collaborative work, explore innovative ideas, and more. The Grove is also home to a 1,500-square-foot library, equipped with horticulture reference materials and our plant records collection. These spaces bring our legacy of horticultural education, learning, and community enrichment to a whole new level.
Our new Horticulture Workroom is an expansive, functional, below-ground workspace with convenient tunnel access to 1906, The Fountain Room, loading dock, and more—helping to keep our daily operations as efficient as ever. The Workroom also houses our “Floratorium” where our in-house floral team creates amazing designs for both public and private events. Our founder began a long history of innovative engineering in the Gardens, including constructing underground access tunnels that are a key feature of our infrastructure. Recent projects, including the Main Fountain Garden Revitalization in 2017 and now Longwood Reimagined, have continued that tradition.
Mission Forward
We proudly unveiled 2,000 square feet of state-of-the-art learning studios in The Grove. These bright, brand-new spaces were specially designed for our Professional Horticulture and Continuing Education programs, which range from hands-on floral design to creative arts endeavors, to much more. Our first class in the Studios was Plant Science 101, held on October 1 under the guidance of instructor Jeff Jabco; since then, we’ve held 62 offerings on everything from floral design to festive centerpieces to culinary arts and more … with many more exciting learning experiences on the horizon.
READYING FOR REIMAGINED
Preparing our brand-new spaces for our public opening on November 22, 2024, was an all-hands-on-deck effort—with spectacular results. Take a look behind the scenes as we readied the West Conservatory, Cascade Garden, Bonsai Courtyard, 1906, The Fountain Room, and more for Reimagined, realized.
All Hands On Deck
As our debut drew near, our experts came together to put the final touches on our brand new Longwood Reimagined spaces—from our striking West Conservatory to our Cascade Garden jewel box, Bonsai Courtyard living gallery, and more. Whether it’s the careful composition of aquatic plants, succulents, and hanging baskets in the West Conservatory … one-of-a-kind specimens from our extensive bonsai collection … or the precise placement of tropical plants in their newly reconstructed Cascade Garden home, every detail of our new spaces has more than a touch of Longwood excellence, made possible by our excellent team.
At Your Service
Great meals are more than just food—they are experiences, moments, and memories woven together through flavors, conversation, and scenery. With the grand opening of 1906 in its spectacular new space, we are offering a dining experience as breathtaking as the Gardens themselves. Expanded seating, a refreshed menu that highlights elements grown in our Gardens, and the talents of our dedicated staff come together in perfect harmony.
1906 begins a new era—one where every meal is a moment to be savored, and every visit is an invitation to delight in the beauty of Longwood.
Savoring Every Moment
The days leading up to the soft opening and the October 25 public debut of 1906 were filled with unpacking and readying thousands of dishes, utensils, kitchen tools, and food deliveries. We stocked and prepared our three cutting-edge kitchens and our 6,100 square feet of spectacular front-ofhouse 1906 space.
With our long-time partner Restaurant Associates, familiar faces and new talents were at the helm, all working together to prepare, to curate, and to create.
Elevated Experiences Await
Nestled beneath the Main Conservatory and with stunning views of the iconic Main Fountain Garden, 1906 is not just a dining destination, but an unforgettable experience all its own. Here, you'll find a full-service bar, lounge, and private dining room, all designed by award-winning architectural firm WEISS/ MANFREDI. The stunning interior features select furnishings crafted by local nonprofit The Challenge Program, using reclaimed wood from Longwood trees. Boundless creativity is on full display with the ever-changing works of art created by our in-house floral design team and showcased throughout the space.
Soft Opening, Warm Welcome
Our lively dining room welcomed 897 hungry—and curious—diners during our six-day soft opening period. Executive Chef George Murkowicz and his team of culinary artisans readied and honed a menu that pays homage to the season and the region, combining new creations with beloved classics. Working with our horticulturists, 1906’s menus showcase seasonal, farm-to-table ingredients grown in our Ornamental Kitchen Garden, just steps away from the restaurant itself.
Beyond Compare
Also nestled in the heart of our Gardens, The Fountain Room is an airy, inviting new venue designed for the finest entertaining. Every detail of this remarkable 5,184-square-foot space is designed to delight and astonish. Depending on the room’s configuration, the space can welcome up to 400 guests for private events, including wedding receptions to corporate events.
OPENING CEREMONIES
Completing and debuting a transformative project is certainly cause for celebration … and that we did, with opening events for our staff, Innovators, Members, and special guests.
A special reception was held in our new 12,500-square-foot Bonsai Courtyard on October 29 to recognize a generous gift from Doug Paul, founder of The Kennett Collection, the finest private collection of bonsai outside of Asia.
Recognizing a Transformative Gift of nearly 200 bonsai, as well as a significant commitment that will help to ensure that the collection is cared for in perpetuity. The Bonsai Courtyard serves as the new home for our collection and is a quiet sanctuary featuring a rotating display of up to 50 to 60 specimens at any one time.
The gift included 50 notable bonsai from his collection, ongoing annual support to continue to grow and develop Longwood’s nationally recognized and meticulously curated collection
For more information on how you can support the bonsai collection, please contact development@longwoodgardens.org.
Left (left to right): Chief Horticulture and Facilities Officer Sharon Loving, The Kennett Collection Founder Doug Paul, Horticulture Specialty Grower Kevin Bielicki, and President and Chief Executive Office Paul B. Redman in the Bonsai Workshop.
Time to Celebrate
In celebration of the momentous opening and collective achievement of Longwood Reimagined, and in recognition of all of the hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment throughout the project, 1,900 staff, volunteers, and retirees enjoyed a special preview event the evening of November 1. The unseasonably warm weather matched the warm feelings of staff and volunteers as they shared in this realized vision, touring the new spaces and making new memories.
We were thrilled to welcome our Innovators and community partners to enjoy our spectacular new spaces during their own Longwood Reimagined preview on November 2.
The Innovator preview event included remarks by Longwood Gardens President and Chief Executive Officer Paul B. Redman (opposite), and (clockwise from above left) Longwood Foundation President Thère I. du Pont; WEISS/MANFREDI Partners and Cofounders Michael A. Manfredi and Marion Weiss; Reed Hilderbrand Principal Emeritus Doug Reed and Principal Eric Kramer; Bancroft Construction President and Chief Executive Officer Gregory J. Sawka; and Longwood Gardens Board of Trustees Chair Jane G. Pepper.
Gratitude to the Longwood Foundation
Longwood Reimagined would not have been possible without the support of the Longwood Foundation. Since 1937, the Foundation has played a critical role in Delaware and the Kennett Square, PA, area, by investing in and strengthening nonprofits in the region to better serve their communities. The Foundation has generously supported our mission to bring joy and inspiration to all by supporting many of our capital projects throughout our history, including the reconstruction of the East Conservatory, the addition of the Green Wall, the Meadow Garden expansion, our Main Fountain Garden revitalization, and now, Longwood Reimagined. We are so very grateful for their enduring support of our Gardens.
Innovators and special guests gather
in the Exhibition Hall during the Longwood Reimagined Innovator preview event on November 2.
Gratitude for Our Members
During our November 3 to 17 Member previews, more than 70,000 Members experienced our Longwood Reimagined spaces. Our gratitude for our Members … for their enduring support throughout the project and their excitement to experience its realization with us … was, in a word, momentous. Shown is the line forming on the first day of our Member previews.
THIS MAGIC MOMENT
The moment arrived … at the most magical time of year. On November 22, Longwood Reimagined made its grand public debut, along with the opening of A Longwood Christmas. Our biggest, most magical season yet, Reimagined + Christmas was an unforgettable way to experience 17 acres of new gardens, new landscapes, and new buildings. In all, more than 646,000 guests came to experience this most magical season.
Unwrapping Longwood Reimagined
Reimagined + Christmas was a collection of moments unlike anything ever experienced at Longwood. The West Conservatory made quite a statement with floating trees swathed in gold and white, to towering columns of Echeveria, to 40 luminous Phalaenopsis baskets soaring overhead. Our lush, preserved Cascade Garden was tastefully accented with green lighting as a nod to the season. The Bonsai Courtyard greeted its first A Longwood Christmas with artfully placed bonsai.
Preserving a Treasure
We relocated, reconstructed, and preserved our prized Cascade Garden—the only intact garden design in North America by acclaimed Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx (1909–1994)—in a way no institution has done before. We worked with our designers and a team of scholars, landscape architects, preservation experts, and the Burle Marx Landscape Studio in Rio de Janerio to determine how to best preserve its design. The preservation involved the documentation, scanning, and eventual deconstruction of the entire Garden—including 1,777 stones; 1,500 permanent plants representing 180 taxa; and 16 water features—and storing and caring for those items while a new 3,800-squarefoot glasshouse was built. Once construction was completed, elements of the Garden were moved back into their original positions, allowing Burle Marx’s vision to thrive.
THANK YOU
Longwood Innovators
List as of January 29, 2025
Anonymous (12)
Franny and Franny Abbott
Philip and Kathleen Adelizzi
Jeanne and Bernie Adler
Ms. Adrienne Arsht
Jim and Janet Averill
Mr. Zachary J. Bagdon
Mrs. Sandra K. Baldino
Mr. William Barone and Mrs. Sylvia Lanka-Barone
Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Bartlett, Jr.
Mrs. Maxwell Barus
Mr. Robert Bechtold
Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Bentley
Mr. Dean O. Berlon and Mr. Paul B. Redman
Ms. Joan Bernard and Mr. Ronald Gallimore
Dr. Nathan Billig and Dr. Gail Weinmann
Chris and Kia Blazakis
Mr. Joseph H. Blum
Mr. and Mrs. J. Michael Bontrager
The Brennan Family Foundation
Mr. and Ms. Christopher F. Buccini
Mr. and Mrs. R. Kent Cadwalader
Mrs. Carroll M. Carpenter
Ms. Elizabeth Cartmell and Mr. Paul Zoubek
Ms. Carol Y. Chan and Mr. Daniel Chui
Mrs. Birchard G. Clothier
Mrs. Ruth Marie Colket
Mr. Rodney Comegys and Dr. Meghan Comegys
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Cone
Gerret and Tatiana Copeland
Ms. Phoebe Craven
Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Crognale
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Crompton
James R. Damewood, Jr. and Robin W. Morgan
Eleanor L. Davis
Régis and Sofia de Ramel
Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. DeHaven
Ms. Debra DeMarco
Mr. and Mrs. James S. Denham IV
Mr. and Mrs. Donald DeWees, Jr.
Harry and Cristy DiDonato
Dr. and Ms. Thomas Dougherty
Dr. M. Lynne du Pont and Dr. David Solacoff
Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. du Pont
Mr. Eleuthere I. du Pont and Ms. Darla Pomeroy
Mr. and Mrs. Henry B. du Pont IV
Mr. and Mrs. John E. B. du Pont
Lammot J. and Alexandra du Pont
Mr. and Mrs. Pierre S. du Pont V
Mrs. Natalie A. du Pont Reese and Mr. Kleon Diamantopoulos
Mrs. Louisa C. Duemling
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew W. Edmonds, Jr.
Paul and Mary Ehrlichman
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas T. Elliman III
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Ellsworth
Paul and Grace duPont Engbring
Mr. Jason and Mrs. Nicole Evans
Kelly Faggioli
Ms. Pamela T. Farber and Mr. Jeffrey Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick C. Fiechter III
Amy and Dennis Fisher
Julia and Art Fisher
Ms. Rebecca Pott Fitton
Mrs. Leslie Fleischner
Mrs. Nancy G. Frederick
Mr. Matthew Gately and Ms. Sarah Gately
Gatter Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Glenn
Mr. David G. Gordon and Ms. Elizabeth Huxster
Ann Granbery, A.S.L.A.
Mrs. Gary Greenberg
Bruce W. and Evelyn Langlieb Greer Hatti Family Foundation
Nathan and Marilyn Hayward
Mrs. Martina Hayward
Christine and George Henisee
Dr. and Mrs. Maury Hoberman
Peter and Su Horty
Mr. and Ms. Joseph H. Huston, Jr.
Ann S. and Steven B. Hutton
Dr. Robert Huxster and Dr. Barbara D. Forney
Michael and Ericka Hynansky
Nicholas, Lock and Milbrey Jacobs
Mr. and Mrs. Michael January
Mrs. Sydney Jordan
Mr. Frank N. Jorgensen and Mrs. Jane Sherwood
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Kaiser
Mr. Thomas S. Kenan III and Mr. Christopher Shuping
Ms. C. Victoria Kitchell
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Koehrsen
Rob and Jean Krapf
Mr. and Mrs. Michael E. Kullman
Dr. Margaret L. Laird and Mr. Philip J. Taylor III
Chris and Celia Lang
Mr. and Mrs. Conrad A. Langenegger
Mr. and Mrs. D. Christopher Le Vine
We gratefully acknowledge the generosity of our Longwood Innovators: a community of dynamic leaders, curious learners, and visionaries in the spirit and tradition of our founder Pierre S. du Pont.
Annual gifts from Innovators directly support Longwood’s mission of ensuring our Gardens bring joy and inspiration to everyone through the beauty of nature, conservation, and learning.
If you would like to support Longwood’s mission while enjoying a year’s worth of behind-the-scenes access and invitations to special Innovator-only events, please visit longwoodgardens.org/innovators or contact Innovators@longwoodgardens.org.
Ms. Renee Lewandowski
Mrs. Renee K. Lickle
Mrs. Carrie E. Lingo Padgett and Mr. M. Murray Padgett
Dr. Patricia Mapps and Mr. Lorin J. Randall
Joan Mazzotti and Michael Kelly
Mr. and Mrs. J. Patterson McBaine
Jennifer C. McNeil
Joanna McNeil Lewis
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Mehran
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Merrill
Tamara E. Milam
The Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Moran
Richard Morelli and Pamela Stephani
Mary M. Morse
Mrs. Wilhelmina B. Moyer
Tammy and John Murabito
Aubree K. Murray
Jamie and Coo Murray
Cathy and Henry Nassau
Annie and Jeffrey Nielsen
Stuart and Carol Ockman
Dr. Karyn T. O'Neil
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Painter
Hon. and Mrs. Donald Parsons
Mr. Noah J. Pascarell and Dr. Mellissa Higgins
Clare Stephens Patel
Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Peck
Jane G. Pepper
Mr. and Mrs. Blaine T. Phillips, Jr.
Mr. Timothy Poth
Will Prost, PhD
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy F. Rayne
Miss Vanessa Redman
Philip S. Reese
Nancy and Donald Resnick
Reynolds Rencourt Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Scott P. Riegel
Steven L. and Anne B. Ritchey
Ms. Candace Ritter and Ms. Nina Occhiolini
Mr. and Mrs. Don Robitzer
Mr. and Mrs. Earl S. Rogers
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew C. Rose
Ms. Susan Ross and Mr. Jeffrey Truka
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Sacco
Kate and David Sasser
Gregory and Karen Sawka
Mr. and Mrs. C. Porter Schutt III
Mr. and Ms. Richard Semels
Mr. and Mrs. Eli R. Sharp
Mr. and Mrs. William M. W. Sharp
Mr. David J. Shaw
Sam and Happy Shipley
Valerie J. Sill
Mr. P. Thomas Simpers, Jr.
Mr. Eric Smith and Mr. Greg Baran
Mrs. Amy Smith-Moniz and Mr. Michael Smith
Ms. Jennifer R. Soos
Mrs. Helen Spalding
Ms. Nancy Anderson Speight
Margaretta K. Stabler
Wendie and Laird Stabler
Andy and Allison Stautberg
Mr. and Mrs. James Stewart
Dr. and Mrs. Mike Stillabower
Mr. and Mrs. William Strahan
Mr. and Mrs. William S. Tate
Peter and Susan Temple
Mr. and Mrs. Philip Timon
Cynthia and Terrence Tobias
Mr. and Mrs. P. Coleman Townsend
Ms. Trish Turner and Mr. Thomas C. McConnell
Eric and Kathleen Uebersax
Mr. and Mrs. Michael G. Vadasz
Mr. and Mrs. Brock Vinton
Kristin and Brian Vrabel Lee and Bill Warden
Jonathan and Vicki Warner
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Warner
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Weir
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas K. Whitford
Marna and Tom Whittington
Cal and Ann Wick
A. Morris Williams, Jr. and Elaine Camarda
Mr. and Mrs. Gene Wills
Paula and Tom Wilson
Ms. Diana S. Wister
Nancy and Greg Wolcott
Carol and Jeff Yetter
Lisa B. Yoder
Mr. and Mrs. J. Timothy Young
Miss Sarah Zimny
No. 310 Spring 2025
Back Cover:
Inside Covers
Editorial Board
Rebecca Ackerman
Jourdan Cole
Nick D’Addezio
Patricia Evans
Steve Fenton
Timothy Gould
Julie Landgrebe
Katie Mobley
Colvin Randall
Kate Santos, Ph.D.
Kelli Stewart
James S. Sutton
Contributors This Issue
Longwood Staff and Volunteer Contributors
Kristina Aguilar
Plant Collection
Information Manager
Holden Barnes
Volunteer Photographer
Hank Davis
Volunteer Photographer
Carol Gross
Multimedia Designer
William Hill
Volunteer Photographer
Other Contributors
Hannah Beier
Photographer
Laurie Carrozzino
Photographer
Becca Mathias
Photographer
Paul Morse
Photographer
Meghan Newberry
Photographer Lynn Schuessler
Copyeditor
Daniel Traub
Photographer
Albert Vecerka
Photographer
Distribution
Longwood Chimes is mailed to Longwood Gardens Staff, Retirees, Volunteers, Gardens Preferred and Premium Level Members, and Innovators and is available electronically to all Longwood Gardens Members via longwoodgardens.org.
Longwood Chimes is produced twice annually by and for Longwood Gardens, Inc.
Contact
As we went to print, every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of all information contained within this publication. Contact us at chimes@longwoodgardens.org.
© 2025 Longwood Gardens. All rights reserved.
Front Cover:
West Conservatory, photo by Daniel Traub.
A Longwood Christmas, photo by Hank Davis.
Inside Front: Photos by Hank Davis, Becca Mathias, and Hank Davis.
Inside Back: Photos by Hank Davis, Laurie Carrozzino, and Holden Barnes.
