Paul B. Redman
Pubic Garden Administration
Member since: 2013
Proposed by: The Garden Club of Wilmington, Zone V
As President and Chief Executive Officer of Longwood Gardens for the last 16 years, Paul has implemented institutional and strategic reforms that have positioned the Gardens as a premier horticultural, cultural, and educational institution of the 21st Century, while respecting the values of its founder, Pierre S. du Pont. The result has been nothing short of astounding with overall attendance doubling to almost 1.54 million visitors per year; an incredible climb in Membership support from 17,000 to 78,000 households; and earned income has almost tripled – all in the last decade. Longwood Gardens is now the most visited paid public garden in North America and the most visited paid cultural attraction in Philadelphia.
Paul is currently leading Longwood through its most ambitious expansion in a century to further the Gardens' mission of sharing beauty with the world. Longwood Reimagined: A New Garden Experience is a sweeping reimagination of 17 acres of the Conservatory and grounds. Opening in fall 2024, the $250 million project features stunning new buildings, including a 32,000 square foot crystalline glass house that seemingly floats on water, state-of-the-art education facilities, a dynamic new restaurant and event space, and inviting new indoor and outdoor gardens. In addition to his work at Longwood, Paul is active in advancing the horticulture industry and raising awareness of the important role of public gardens around the globe. He serves as co-chair for Seed Your Future, a national campaign to promote awareness and careers in horticulture. He previously served as board president and treasurer of the American Public Gardens Association.
His achievements include: 2018 National Garden Clubs Award of Excellence; 2017 Distinguished Alumnus from the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Oklahoma State University; 2016 American Public Gardens Association Award of Merit; the International Garden Tourism Network's 2015 Person of the Year; 2015 American Horticultural Society's Professional Award; 2014 Wyck Strickland Award; 2014 American Society of Horticultural Science's Dr. William A. "Tex" Frazier Lecturer; 2012 CEO of the Year by the Chester County Chamber of Commerce, Business & Industry; 2008 Distinguished Horticulture Alumnus from Oklahoma State University; and where his professional career first began, Franklin Park Conservatory, receiving the Ann Islay Wolfe Award for extraordinary contributions to the organization.
Honorary Member since 2013.
