Pierre du Pont was the great grandson of the founder of the DuPont chemical company (Eleuthere Irenee du Pont). In the early 20th century, Pierre transformed the company into a corporate empire and with his resulting wealth purchased the Longwood property in order to save the trees.

While still a very active business man, Pierre used Longwood as a retreat, and spent a great amount of time refurbishing the gardens, building on his love of fountains, and nature while creating a garden that could be enjoyed by his family and his friends.

It is truly a testament to Pierre's vision; the gardens are impressively beautiful, full of planned Italian style gardens, as well as unplanned natural beauty.

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I'ver been visiting Longwood Gardens for over ten years now. There's something calming and serene that somehow removes me from the rat-race of life and helps me appreciate the wonders of nature.

As I visit the gardens, moving from the inner sanctuaries, through to the great ponds I ponder the power that nature has to nurture our souls; I find that I can truly relax as I wander through the grounds of Longwood, sharing in the rose gardens, or watching the stunning fountain shows.

Longwood Gardens has really taught me the meaning of beauty and nature, and while I have no green fingers, I can appreciate the love and talent that is required to keep this stunning place alive.

The combination of the gardens with the fireworks, summer concerts, and occasional winter ice shows teaches me how much there is to love about life, and makes me have something to look forward to during those monotonous days in work.

Not only is the Brandywine Valley a serene and beautiful place, but it also had a huge role in the history of the United States. With Longwood Gardens, Winterthur, Museums and Art Galleries dotting the landscape, it is one of the most wonderful places for a vacation, combining wonderful food, sublime scenery and a heritage that is second to none.

The whole valley is amazing, combining a rich history with a gentle beauty. It is one of my favorite places in America and compares with some of the great European cities and places I have visited.

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 The photographs below give just a small glimpse into the beauty of Longwood Gardens. There's no way a simple phot can come close to expressing the tranquility of the place, but hopefully you can see just a little bit of the beauty: