Category: History

February 22, 2024

Joel’s Wisdom in the Garden: Remembered by Mandy Katz

In fond memory of Curator Joel T. Fry (February 22, 1957–March 21, 2023) Almost one year past the date of Joel’s surprising illness and death, I still find myself in…

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March 30, 2023

Remembering Joel T. Fry (1957–2023)

Acclaimed historian Joel T. Fry, the long-time curator at Bartram’s Garden, died on March 21, 2023. Beyond his family, his memory is cherished by the dozens of gardeners, historians, archaeologists, scientists, and colleagues, both here in Philadelphia and worldwide, who relied on Joel as an inexhaustible source of scholarly expertise, dry wit, and constant inspiration.

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Sketch of Ailanthus Altissima leaves. Labeled as "'Rhus sinense foliis alatis, foliolis oblongis acuminata, ad basin subrotundis & dentati"
December 15, 2022

Ailanthus: John Bartram and Philadelphia’s Most Notorious Tree

Few trees define America’s urban environments more than Ailanthus altissima, or the “Tree-of-Heaven.” If you are not familiar with that name, you are undoubtedly familiar with the tree itself. Ailanthus…

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November 23, 2022

John Bartram’s and Peter Collinson’s Differing Views on Native Americans

Just as family and friends sometimes debate over modern political issues, the events of the past were oftentimes no exception. The correspondence between John Bartram and his business partner, Peter…

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September 20, 2022

William Bartram, Indigenous Botany, and the Roots of American Medicine

Eighteenth century American medicine was closely tied to botanical knowledge. While the Bartrams’ contribution to early American medicine through their relationships with physicians in Philadelphia is well-documented, what is less…

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August 23, 2022

John Bartram’s Journey to Onondaga, 1743

In July of 1743, Conrad Weiser, Pennsylvania’s interpreter and diplomat for Native American nations, invited John Bartram and land surveyor Lewis Evans to accompany him to the Iroquois capital of…

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August 3, 2022

The Bartrams, the White Mulberry Tree, and the Story of American Silk

The Bartrams were a family of natural scientists who would happily collect and cultivate almost any plant, but they were not immune to acquiring plants that carried the allure of…

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July 19, 2022

Lenapehoking and Kingsessing: A History

Bartram’s Garden is situated on what was originally the wider territory controlled by the indigenous Lenni Lenape. This territory was referred to by the Lenape as Lenapehoking, which encompassed modern-day…

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Illustration of Cleome gynandra by William Bartram in 1803, displaying leaves, flowers, and seedpods.
July 12, 2022

An African Plant in Louisiana: William Bartram’s Encounter with Cleome gynandra

In October of 1775, William Bartram discovered a curious plant while voyaging through the bayous and cypress swamps of coastal Louisiana. While he was passing by the Taensapoa River along…

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I'm interested in:

Biking & Walking

Birds

Boating & Fishing

Flowers, Plants & Trees

Gardening

History

Kids' Activities

Sankofa Community Farm

Southwest Philadelphia

Water Quality

Workshops, Wellness & Culture

Youth Internships

I'm interested in:

Biking & Walking

Stroll the Schuylkill River Trail or join us for biking!

Birds

Look up! More than 100 species of birds rely on this ecosystem.

Boating & Fishing

Enjoy all that the Tidal Schuylkill River has to offer.

Flowers, Plants & Trees

See what’s blooming, find a favorite tree, and stroll the gardens and natural lands.

Gardening

Bring the Garden home! Shop for plants or grow food, trees, and more.

History

Uncover the interconnected stories of this historic site.

Kids' Activities

Join us year-round to learn, make, share, and wonder.

Sankofa Community Farm

“Go back and get it!” Growing food sovereignty with an African Diaspora focus.

Southwest Philadelphia

Resources and opportunities especially for neighbors in Southwest Philly.

Water Quality

Find our latest data on the river’s bacteria levels and recent rainfall.

Workshops, Wellness & Culture

Enjoy upcoming workshops, self-care, and events. Are you a Southwest artist? Let’s partner!

Youth Internships

Calling Southwest students: paid internships available with the river, the farm, and the trees.