Bartram's Garden

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Bartram's Garden is a historic botanical garden located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.


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Summary

It was founded by John Bartram in 1728 and is the oldest living botanical garden in the United States. This garden boasts a variety of unique and beautiful plants, including the Franklinia tree, which was discovered by John Bartram in 1765 and is now extinct in the wild.

Some of the reasons to visit Bartram's Garden include its rich history, beautiful scenery, and diverse plant life. Visitors can explore John Bartram's original house, which has been preserved as a museum, and take a guided tour of the garden. The garden also features a riverfront trail, a community farm, and a butterfly garden.

There are several points of interest within Bartram's Garden, including the historic Bartram House, the Ann Bartram Carr Garden, the Sankofa Community Farm, and the Bartram Meadow. The garden also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, such as outdoor concerts, plant sales, and guided tours.

The best time of year to visit Bartram's Garden is during the spring and summer months when the garden is in bloom. However, visitors can enjoy the garden's beauty year-round, with different plants and trees showcasing their unique colors and features during different seasons.

In conclusion, Bartram's Garden is a must-visit destination for those interested in history, nature, and botanical gardens. With its fascinating history, beautiful scenery, and diverse plant life, it is a unique and enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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