Yesterday and today, Fordhook Farm
home of W. Atlee Burpee, scion of the famous Burpee Seed Company, celebrated ‘Fordhook in Bloom” and was open to the public. The property, 60 acres dating from the 1700s, is vastly beautiful and includes a large farmhouse, a huge antique seed barn, spring houses, greenhouses, a cook's garden, test gardens, a pond, vegetable and kitchen gardens, just about everything a garden-lover could want. There were garden tours and plant sales, and hot dogs, hamburgers and cold beverages, served at tables decorated with beautiful bouquets of flowers, under the shade of a huge white tent. The heat and humidity didn’t seem to keep the plantaholics away. For sure, it didn’t deter us.
This wonderful place, (which is right around the corner from my office), is open to the public only a few times a year. The main farmhouse, The Inn at Fordhook Farm, was in the past a Bed and Breakfast, but now is only used by the family for out-of-town guests. We were tickled when we found it open to the public today. Rumor has it the inn is haunted by the ghost of a Hessian soldier, but we saw no signs of him.
Our trip to Fordhook Farm was a refreshing way to spend a hot, muggy, sunny Saturday morning in August.
Enjoy the photos!
THE Lord God planted a garden
In the first white days of the world,
And He set there an angel wardenIn a garment of light enfurled.
So near to the peace of Heaven,
That the hawk might nest with the wren,
For there in the cool of the even
God walked with the first of men.
And I dream that these garden-closes
With their shade
and their sun-flecked sod
And their lilies and bowers of roses,
Were laid by the hand of God.
The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,--
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth.
For He broke it for us in a garden
Under the olive-trees
Where the angel of strength was the warden
And the soul of the world found ease.
~~~~Dorothy Frances Gurney
6 comments:
Just beautiful Dorothy, thanks for sharing these photos. Looks like my kind of place.
Hi Dorothy - what a wonderful tour, and located near you. I didn't realize that the Burpee farm was located in Bucks County. That part of Pennsylvania must be so pretty. I have an aunt who lives there (Bensalem), and a couple of my cousins live in Norristown, and my mom grew up around Conshohocken, Pottstown, and Norristown. I remember my mom used to reminisce of the beautiful countryside - of course that goes back to the 1920s and 30s. But I'm glad to know that some places have not been developed and stayed within families (like the Burpee family).
Beautiful place!
Just beautiful, Dorothy! I think *we* have very good cameras!
I've wanted to visit this place and thanks to you, I've seen a bit of it! What a great way to spend the day!
Beautiful garden! I can't wait for spring. Last year, we went to Monet's garden in Giverny and it was heavenly... We live just 1 1/2 hours from it.... so it's close by! Nice blog.. I am just stopping by for the first time! Cheers, Leesa
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