Historic Bartram’s Garden

Bartram’s Garden is a 45 acre National Historic Landmark operated by the John Bartram Association in cooperation with the City Of Philadelphia whose mission is to protect the landmark property as well as advance the Bartram legacy of discovery, gardening and art while inspiring audiences of all ages to care for the natural world. John Bartram was a third generation Pennsylvania Quaker who purchased 102 acres from Swedish settlers in 1728 and systematically began gathering the most varied collection of North American plants in the world making him America’s first botanist. He collected seeds and plant specimens and sent them overseas to leading minds and patrons in England. He counted Benjamin Franklin amongst his friends and his garden became a source of inquiry and delight for Thomas Jefferson and George Washington.

In 1976, Bicentennial celebrations inspired the restoration of the Bartram’s Garden property. Renowned landscape history and restoration architect Rudy Favretti prepared the plans. The 1986 Founders Fund Award was applied toward the renovation of original outbuildings and the creation of educational exhibits and programs to highlight the historical significance and beauty of the plant collections.

Today Bartram’s Garden honors its history by encouraging lifelong learning, inspiration from nature and the mandate of stewardship. In 2007, the garden’s caretakers began working to create a new vision for a revitalized Garden with active use, compelling stories and a meaningful impact on its community