Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-06-20
MISS ANNE HEYGATE.H HALL

A LITTLE public enterprise backed by
"A aid from the city would make possibl"
the restoration Of tho John Bartram house
and botanical garden and pcrpetuatc
shrine Of international interest, in th" opn-
ion of Miss Anne Hcygate- Hall. president
Of tho John Bartram Association.
Tho city owns the garden, said Miss
Hcygatc Hall. ''and should take care of its
charge. For thirty years it has been in its
possession. yet in that time the place has
been Shamcfully neglected. Many of the
most beautiful trees in the garden some Of
which are of exceedingly rare varieties and
would be hard to replace. have been allowed
to die.
THE house. built by John Bartram him
self In 1871. has fallen into nitiablc stat"
Of decay through lack Of attention, Archi'
tccts have been at work for some time on
gagged In research TO determine the original
condition Of the place. so that II may accu-
ratply br restored. But If the city and the
public do not combine to put tho hous" in
order and help restore ii to its original con
dition much of this work will simply l"nN"
the house in worse condition than before.
I'VE have succeeded in getting the Civil.
club. the Colonial Danes. the Botanical
Society and various other horticultural so,
cictics interested and hope to get many Of
the citys substanta citizens to help.
Have Historical Value
no Nbus' bUh Sdtu'hN bhN' h'Sb'l " "'
and sentimental value of the first importance.
Thus. Washington and franklin visited the
place during their hcyday, and the society
has letters from both attesting TO its value.
The remains of an old cider mill hewn by
John I,artram from the solid rock still stand
on the grounds.
My vision would see the banks of the
river put in order. As it now is, the river
at this point is n dirty, unsightly stream.
This could be cleaned and drcdgcd and the
old river wall improved. ] would like to
SEQ a line of boats run from the center
of the city TO the landing on the Schuylkill,
Such an Improvement as this whole project
would be an exhibit of which the city could
we'll be proud at the time of the ScSQui-
Centennial in 1926. When you consider the
International fame Of the gardens--greater
abroad, in fact, than it is herC-you can sec
what il would mean to tho city 70 have this
work completed by that time.
"A reasonably small sum, when you con
slider the importance of the place, would
bring about this desired object.
John Bartram rode on horseback from
ono part of this country to another to collect
the rare plants and slips and seedlings OF
trees that gave this garden such unique i'm
pOrtancc. He carried them from place to
place, Drawing the then unknown wildS OF
many places with their attendant dangers
and made this place a Mecca for naturalists.
hOSdl bOthhlSt 10 pcoTRe III
He was not only the pioneer botanist OF
! this country. but he was well known to all
| the great botanists of Europe. lie was royal
hotaniSt to King George III during the
| reign Of that monarch and served for small
! salary until the time of his death
"Not only did h" bring rare plants and
| trees here from all parts Of the world, but
| he also took abroad specimens of American
| plants and insects that contributed much IA
Europeans knowledge and earned for hin
| a lasting regard from all parts of the world
Some of the plants in tho famous Kew
| Garden in London arc his gifts.
Many sketches OF plants and trees mad,
! by Bnrtram are housed IN the British Mu.
scum and highly regarded are they that
they are kept under lock and key at AL
| times,
"Whcn Lord Howe came to this country
| in command of the British army during IN,
| Revolution, King George gave strict order,
| that the Bartram property was not to h,
| disturbed. The botAnlst died shortly ofto,
| the Battle Of tho Brandywino. His son
! William l5Hrtrnm, was the first professor nj
| botany at the University Of PENNSYLVANIA
John Bartram and his work are valued
far more highly abroad than at home Peo.
pie com" mere from all parts of the world tc
sec the gardens and the house, but for tn,
most part go away disappointed. The hous,
| is owned by the city and is not open TO tn,
| public or in any event there is no one about
take an interest and show them any
"ll Is my fondast hope that thr near fu.