Longwood Gardens Shares New Makeover Project in Documentary

Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square recently premiered Longwood Reimagined, an approximately hour-long documentary that details the four-year makeover of 17 acres at the Philadelphia region's highly visited botanical gardens. The documentary aired on Tuesday, Aug. 12, on Wilmington, Delaware's WHYY.

Narrated by Emmy Award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary) and directed by Philadelphia filmmaker Glenn Holsten, the film provides an insider's look into one of the most in-depth restoration projects in Longwood's history. 

Throughout the documentary, viewers discover the stories of the architects, landscape designers, and preservationists who blended contemporary design with the historical legacy of Longwood's founder, Pierre S. du Pont.

Well-recognized architects Marion Weiss and Michael Manfredi, Reed Hilderbrand principal Kristin Fredrickson, and other landscape architects provide commentary on the challenges and opportunities of creating unique visitor spaces at Longwood that support its history and heritage while embodying contemporary innovation.

“This film gives audiences a rare glimpse into the vision, innovation, and intentional planning that happens behind the scenes at Longwood,” said Paul B. Redman, president and CEO of Longwood Gardens, to MyChesCo.com. “It captures the passion and purpose that guided our bold step into the future with this extraordinary project.”

If you missed the public television screening of Longwood Reimagined, you can catch a screening of the documentary on-site at Longwood Gardens from Sept. 19–21. Screenings will take place at 7 p.m. and will be free with admission to the site.

Longwood Gardens is at 1001 Longwood Road in Kennett Square.