Beloved by locals and visitors since its opening to the public in 1921, Longwood Gardens has long served as a destination to connect with nature and as a catalyst for experiential learning. Behind some of its wonders, including the eight-foot-wide water lilies, stunning landscapes, and educational offerings, is a group of volunteers who have dedicated their time to making Longwood Gardens the cherished icon it is today. These committed individuals also play a pivotal role in bringing to life the major projects and seasonal displays that are a hallmark of Longwood. As Longwood gets ready for the fall debut of its most ambitious project in a century, Longwood Reimagined, volunteers play an important role in preparing for the expansion. Continuing the legacy of Pierre S. du Pont and reflecting the modernistic nature of his work, Longwood Reimagined advances Longwood’s 100-year history of growing gardens under glass, while also introducing revolutionary Conservatory design, including sustainable aspects such as geothermal wells, roof water capture systems, and earth ducts.
Committed to capturing these advancements, Hank Davis is a volunteer photographer entering his 14th year volunteering with nearly 2,500 hours spent capturing the vivid spectacles of the gardens. Hank discovered his love for horticulture while working for a landscaping firm. Later, Mr. Davis furthered his skills in photography at a retail plant business, where he worked in sales. However, it was not his first experience with the camera. From childhood, Hank has found joy in capturing moments that may disappear with memory but not from film. This magic of photography is something he sincerely appreciates when it comes to his role, particularly with Longwood Reimagined. Taking those final shots of what the gardens look like before any changes are made is a precious ability, as his work provides a portrait of the beautiful, thorough evolution of Longwood Gardens— a toast to the new and the old that will now never be forgotten.
Others have joined this impactful mission as well. Toward the beginning of his time at Longwood Gardens, the team consisted of around seven photographers. Today, he’s one of a team of 20 volunteer photographers capturing the wonders of the gardens. For Hank, his dedication is fueled by his fondness for serving the community. He has found over the years that being a part of Longwood’s recognition has been a wonderful experience. His commitment to his role makes Longwood the passionately composed place it is today.
Photography of Longwood’s splendid grounds wouldn’t exist without its breathtaking features. A prime facet is the thriving aquatic plants, propagated and lovingly cared for by horticulture staff and volunteers. For 11 years, Mary Pat Knauss has served 2300 hours in these aquatic collections, many of which are behind the scenes until the opening of Longwood Reimagined. Before volunteering at Longwood Gardens, Mary Pat received her education after moving to West Chester from Maryland at 17 years old. She studied Chemistry at West Chester University and received her MBA from Wharton at the University of Pennsylvania. Her career was spent working at Hewlett-Packard, which became Agilent Technologies by the time she retired. Longwood had “always been in my backyard,” she points out, and after retiring, she inquired with a friend about volunteering. The first year of her time at Longwood was spent volunteering with outdoor plants and she later moved into the aquatics department. Fast forward 10 years and she continues to work with these mesmerizing plants.
Although, it is not just the nature she appreciates about her work at Longwood. She has always been grateful for her dedicated and enthusiastic team including Horticultural Specialty Grower, Tim Jennings. Mary Pat boasts that she has learned a ton from Tim and respects his tremendous patience in his work. This motivated team and being a part of an organization that shares her love for gardening is much of why Mary Pat has always loved her position there. She recognizes the value of her work at Longwood, knowing others count on her, and boasts that “sharing the joy of this whole other aspect of horticulture” is something she deeply cherishes. This ardor for her role is what Longwood looks for in a volunteer. Lorrie Hamilton, Director of Volunteer Engagement, recognizes that “what sets our volunteers apart is the passion they bring to the gardens”. Mary Pat’s excitement and positivity toward her work and pride in what she and her team have accomplished at Longwood are vital factors in what makes the garden the intricately designed and lovingly cared-for destination it is. Soon, guests will be able to fully appreciate the amount of talent and time these volunteers have poured into their work when the eight-foot-long water lilies are displayed in Longwood Reimagined. The Waterlily Court, alongside the many other water features in the West Conservatory, will serve as a reminder of the devotion of the horticultural team and their beautiful vision in what they do.
Aquatic plant propagation may be a specialty of volunteers like Mary Pat, but Longwood Gardens’ classes can introduce anyone to such skills. There is always room to grow as an individual, especially in horticulture. Learning about the world around you does not stop in childhood. This is why Longwood Gardens provides a variety of educational resources. From lectures on honey bees and a visit to their hive to wooden chair workshops and online Peony lessons, Longwood is committed to broadening guests’ horizons for learning and offering a diverse selection of classes.
This valued facet of Longwood Gardens would not be possible without Continuing Education volunteers like Melissa Bullitt. Melissa has spent 300 hours over the past five years ensuring students receive the materials necessary to learn and support the instructors in their classes. She grew up in Montgomery County and met her husband, John, in Chestnut Hill. They have lived in Pennsylvania for most of their lives, apart from 5 years in Boston, raising two daughters, a rising Freshman at Unionville and a 4th grader at Pocopson Elementary. After a career in technology following university, Melissa realized she did not enjoy sitting at her desk throughout her entire shift staring at a screen. When she and her husband moved back to this area, she focused primarily on caring for her children. She also joined a garden club. This led her to competitive floral arranging, and she proudly participated in shows such as the Philadelphia Flower Show. Later, she would proceed to judge many of these shows as well. To receive formal training in her skills, she decided to sign up for classes at Longwood. After asking questions and having discussions with many of the volunteers present during that time, she realized the volunteer role would be a perfect fit for her. She applied and attended training, and continues to find joy in volunteering at the garden. She is fond of the fact that her participation at Longwood truly involves the community.
Unlike other volunteer work, Melissa’s does not depend on an established schedule. Rather, she is provided with a list of upcoming classes and signs up for the ones she is available to assist in alongside whatever is generally needed in the Education Department. She is fond of the fact that “my community involvement is actually with the community… my face, the teachers’ faces…are the faces that they are seeing when they come to Longwood. It’s really great to see the learning process”. Those interactions are something she greatly values. After spending hours setting up displays and providing the materials the students need, it is satisfying for Melissa to see all they have learned during the class she had worked so thoroughly to put together.
As Longwood Reimagined opens, Longwood attempts to express the power and weight of education. With more space will come a designated spot for the garden to hold their classes. Currently, Longwood brings its classes directly to the community, conducting them at locations such as the Creamery and the Kennett Library. They also often give the guests the flexible remote option for classes. These opportunities to gain experience in and expand visitors’ knowledge of horticulture are something Longwood takes pride in. The gardens welcome guests to “enrich your world and watch yourself grow.” With spirited volunteers like Melissa, every class is guaranteed to be an experience devoted to making guests’ time at Longwood one they will never forget.
Longwood Gardens’ volunteers reflect its mission to bring joy and inspiration to everyone through the beauty of nature, conservation, and learning. It is obvious that the nearly 600 volunteers love their work and helping the community. Mary Pat expresses how “with all the craziness in the world, we come here and it’s all smiles”. And the staff is deeply grateful for all the volunteers do. The volunteers are an essential part of what makes Longwood a magical and special place. As Lorrie Hamilton describes it, “Our dedicated team is what sets us apart, and our spirit of legacy, innovation, and opportunity is what guides us”. With the opening of Longwood Reimagined quickly approaching and an exciting new chapter ready to unfold, these dedicated volunteers have embedded themselves into the history of Longwood through their hard work and loyalty to the gardens, paving a path for the future of horticulture and education at Longwood Gardens.
