Historic RittenhouseTown Arboretum Celebration
Historic RittenhouseTown in Philadelphia has been awarded a Level 1 Accreditation by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum, for achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens.
A celebration will be held at Historic RittenhouseTown
Sunday October 8th 2pm-5pm
208 Lincoln Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19144
The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta at various levels of development, capacity, and professionalism.Historic RittenhouseTown Inc., is also now recognized as an accredited arboretum in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants.
Historic Rittenhouse Town, a National Historic Landmark District, is dedicated to informing the public about the life and times of this early industrial village – America’s first paper mill, founded in 1690. The non-profit organization is committed to the site’s preservation through research, restoration and high-quality educational programming.
Home to over 80 species of trees and shrubs, the Arboretum at Historic Rittenhouse Town is on our 20-acre historic site in the Wissahickon Valley Park in Philadelphia. It’s an inviting public garden dedicated to preserving and enhancing the beauty of the plant collection and engaging the community through horticultural educational programs, events, and volunteer projects.
The arboretum features Magnolia Grove, dedicated to Dr. Jack Fogg who received his PhD in botany from Harvard University in 1929. His many accolades include co-founding the American Magnolia Society. The cherry collection runs along the north side of Monoshone Creek (also known as Paper Mill Run), which powered the early water wheels on site.
Board member Brian Ames shares his enthusiasm for the new designation, “It represents an opportunity to further our mission by growing a diverse collection of plants as they relate to the sites cultural significance while advancing our interpretation habitat and passive recreation.”
About Historic RittenhouseTown
Historic RittenhouseTown is the site of the first paper mill in America, the Rittenhouse Family homestead, birthplace of David Rittenhouse, the site of an early industrial village and later home to many Fairmount Park staff. Today the 20-acre site is interpreted with a focus on the Rittenhouse Family and the legacy of paper making, with an endeavor to tell the story of the site from industrial to bucolic. The organization offers educational programs, environmental stewardship and a cultural resource for the local community.