Bartram’s Garden is a 45-acre National Historic Landmark, operated by the John Bartram Association in cooperation with the City of Philadelphia. John Bartram (1699-1777) was a prominent American naturalist who specialized in botany and horticulture.
The property is gorgeous and open to the public to walk around the estate. There are several buildings on the property, former barns, stables, and Bartrams’ residence which can be toured.
In celebration of Archives Month Philly, the Library and Archives at Bartram’s Garden opened its doors for a public tour and introduction to the collection. Curator Joel Fry and archivist Alina Josan guided visitors through select highlights from the collection which included a letter from Benjamin Franklin to John Bartram, a beautiful mid-19th century herbarium of plants collected locally by Emma Thomas who lived in the house Whitby Hall in the 1860’s, photographs, land deeds and many gorgeous rare books on botany.
If you missed this great event this year, don’t worry the Library and Archives at Bartram’s Garden plan on giving this tour again for Archives Month Philly 2015!
The Library and Archives collections are available for researchers by appointment. The estate grounds are open for walks or bike rides.
Bartram’s Garden
5400 Lindbergh Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Delaware Valley Archivists Group 