Ongoing Historic Restoration: Project honoring our heritage

The first major garden restoration project at Bartram’s Garden in nearly a century is now underway. Located to the west of the historic house, the Carr Garden was originally the early 19th century exhibition garden created by John Bartram’s granddaughter, Ann Bartram Carr, and her husband, Colonel Robert Carr. It was the first public green space at Bartram’s Garden, showcasing fashionable exotics from Asia and Ann Bartram Carr’s own hybrid dahlias and camellias.

The restoration will reconnect us to the Bartram spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation. Work will continue throughout 2015 as we make critical updates to the National Historic Landmark Bartram House, including a new roof, geothermal climate control systems, and historic features and finishes. The Bartram House will not be open to the public until 2016; however, new guided tours will highlight this conservation and the transformations that are underway.

Funding for these projects has come from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Coastal Zone Management Program, Dorrance H. Hamilton, The McLean Contributionship, and anonymous donors.