Thirty miles west of Philadelphia in the historic Brandywine Valley of southeastern Pennsylvania blooms Longwood Gardens, one of the world�s great horticultural centers. The original arboretum was planted beginning about 1800 by a Quaker family named Peirce. Industrialist Pierre Samuel du Pont (1870�1954) bought the property in 1906 to save its historic trees and make it a place where he could entertain his friends and the public. For three decades, he created an astounding collection of gardens, conservatories, and fountains and a perfect setting for the performing arts. Since du Pont�s death in 1954, Longwood Gardens has continued to evolve from a private estate to a very public garden, with renowned designers creating new landscapes to enhance the enjoyment of more than a million guests each year.