Philadelphia Founding-Era Garden Tour

Gardens Preferred, Gardens Premium Members and Innovators save on Continuing Education Courses

A 10% discount on classes will be applied automatically at the time of checkout. 

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Philadelphia Founding-Era Garden Tour

Continuing Education

Dates & Prices

Thursdays, June 6. 2026
9:00 am–5:30 pm

Fee: $269

Fee for Innovators, Gardens Preferred, and Gardens Premium Members: $242

This class is intended as an adult learning experience. Find out more about our Family Learning experiences.

Registrations may be cancelled up to two weeks before the event, and your registration fee, less a $30 processing fee, will be refunded. Please note that refunds are not available for programs moved to scheduled inclement weather dates.

To notify us of your cancellation, email us or call 610-388-5454.

Register by May 24, 2026

Registration Opens Soon

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Gardens Preferred, Gardens Premium Members and Innovators save on Continuing Education Courses

A 10% discount on classes will be applied automatically at the time of checkout. 

Learn more

Step back in time during this educational garden tour exploring Philadelphia’s founding-era landscapes. 

Visit iconic sites including Bartram’s Garden, the Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden, Wyck, Grumblethorpe, and Stenton, experiencing the beauty, history, and horticultural legacy of each estate. Enjoy tours at each location and savor a boxed lunch along the way, including a picnic at Wyck. This full-day trip offers a unique blend of history, horticulture, and inspiration for garden enthusiasts.

Itinerary

  • 8:30-9:00 am – Gather at Longwood Gardens

  • 9:00-10:00 am - Depart Longwood Gardens (drive to Bartram’s Garden, 60 minutes)

  • 10:00-11:00 am – tour Bartram’s Garden (60 minutes)

  • 11:30-12:00 – lunch at Bartram’s Garden (30 minutes)

  • 11:15-11:35 - Depart Bartram’s Garden (drive to Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden at the College of Physicians, 20 minutes)

  • 11:35-11:50 – tour Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden at the College of Physicians (15 minutes)

  • 11:50-12:15 - Depart Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden (drive to Wyck, 20 minutes)

  • 12:15-12:45 – Picnic lunch at Wyck (30 minutes)

  • 12:45-1:45 – Tour Wyck (60 minutes)

  • 1:45-2:00 - Depart Wyck (drive to Grumblethorpe, 5 minutes)

  • 2:00-3:00 – Tour Grumblethrope (1 hour)

  • 3:00-3:15 - Depart Grumbletorpe (drive to Stenton, 7 minutes)

  • 3:15-4:15 – Tour Stenton (60 minutes)

  • 4:15-5:30 Depart Stenton, return to Longwood

Trip leaves promptly as listed and runs rain or shine. Please note that this tour contains a good deal of walking and is an outdoor experience. Appropriate footwear and water are recommended. Dress for all types of weather.

Instructor

Christopher Barrett Sheridan

Christopher Barrett Sheridan, The Flower Sommelier, is a horticulturist, floral design instructor, and aspiring historian, specializing in scented plants, heirloom flowers, romantic garden design, and Victorian floral traditions. Sheridan has been published in American Gardener, regularly offers immersive design workshops at Longwood Gardens, and lectures at national events, including the Philadelphia Flower Show and the International Master Gardener Conference. A Harrison Fellow of the Historic Landscape Institute, he is developing Early American Garden Design programming to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.