Bartram's Garden

What is Bartram's Garden?

Visitors to Bartram's Garden find a large riverside park filled with a wide range of native and introduced plants. The grounds include the original stone house built by John Bartram, a greenhouse from the 18th century, and several specimen trees such as the Franklinia, yellowwood, and a very old ginkgo. Trails wind through meadows, gardens, and wetlands, and there are spaces for art and learning. The garden is both a peaceful retreat and an educational resource, with access to the river and views of Philadelphia.

The history of Bartram's Garden

John Bartram, a pioneering botanist, started the garden in 1728 on his farm outside the city. He and his family collected and grew many North American plants, exchanging specimens with botanists in Europe and America. Over time, the Bartram family expanded the garden, making it a center for plant trade and study. After changing hands in the 19th century, the site was preserved as a public park. Today, the garden keeps much of its original layout and continues to highlight the history of botany and horticulture in the United States.

What there is to see

The garden is laid out with formal beds, meadows, and wooded areas, following the patterns set by John Bartram. Many of the plants grown here were listed in early Bartram family catalogues. The grounds are maintained by the John Bartram Association and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. Notable features include the Ann Bartram Carr Garden, the Sankofa Community Farm, and restored historic buildings. Paths connect different parts of the garden, and there is access to the river and wetlands.

When to go

Bartram's Garden is open to the public for walking, learning, and community events. It serves as an outdoor classroom for local schools and groups, and hosts art installations and workshops. The library on site holds important documents about the garden's history and botany. The garden is also a venue for festivals and gatherings, and offers unique access to the tidal Schuylkill River for recreation.

Parts and collections

The plant collection includes rare and historic trees, such as the Franklinia alatamaha, which survives only in cultivation and was saved from extinction by the Bartram family. Other highlights are the yellowwood and the oldest known ginkgo in North America. The Ann Bartram Carr Garden is a restored 19th-century feature, and the Sankofa Community Farm focuses on crops from the African Diaspora.

Why Bartram's Garden matters

Bartram's Garden is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and is important for its role in the development of botany in America. It has hosted notable visitors, including members of the Continental Congress and President George Washington. The garden appears in literature and is valued for its preservation of native plants and its connection to Philadelphia's history.

Questions people ask about Bartram's Garden

Good reading and sources

• Official websiteOfficial site
• The Story of Bartram's GardenSmithsonian Magazine, Article
• NPGallery Asset DetailUS National Park Service, Article

• Bartram's Garden on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data