A passage in the book, The Conservatory: Gardens Under Glass, by Alan Stein and Nancy Virts, describes the creation of Longwood Gardens beautifully: 

“A grove of old-growth trees moved American entrepreneur and philanthropist, Pierre S. du Pont (1870-1954), to buy what became Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Although his original intent was simple to preserve the 1,077 acres of trees and create a beautiful place to entertain friends and business associates, de Pont’s purchase set in motion a chain of events that led to the creation of one of America’s leading horticultural centers.”

Outdoors, the gardens range from formal to naturalistic. Twenty indoor gardens are housed within 4.5 acres of heated greenhouse.

The first conservatory at Longwood as a 1914 extension added to a 1730 farmhouse. Longwood’s second and largest conservatory opened in 1921. Du Pont wrote that he sought to ‘exploit the sentiment and ideas associated with plants and flowers in a large way.’ Large indeed, Longwood gardens now has more than 4,600 species of plants and trees and includes an orchid garden, a palm house, and an orangery!

Their legacy of innovation continues as they embark on their latest renovation to the gardens they refer to as Longwood Reimagined. 

“For more than 115 years, we have harmoniously blended art and science to create a horticulture experience of unparalleled splendor. With the realization of Longwood Reimagined: A New Garden Experience—a sweeping reimagination of 17 acres of our Conservatory and grounds, opening in fall 2024—we are honored to enhance, steward, and preserve one of the world’s most important, most beautiful collections of gardens and glasshouses. Stunning new buildings, wondrous new indoor and outdoor gardens, surprising new guest experiences, and much more await.”