Curtis Arboretum

Not to be confused with the William F. Curtis Arboretum in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Curtis Arboretum
Curtis Hall on the grounds of the Curtis Arboretum
Curtis Arboretum is located in Philadelphia
Curtis Arboretum
Location1250 W. Church Rd.
Wyncote
Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania
Coordinates40°5′6.2262″N 75°8′52.5942″W / 40.085062833°N 75.147942833°W / 40.085062833; -75.147942833
Area45 acres (180,000 m2)
Built1937
ArchitectBaily & Truscott, et al.; Frederick Law Olmsted
Architectural styleRenaissance Revival
NRHP reference No.02000229[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPMarch 20, 2002
Designated PHMCNovember 7, 2005

The Curtis Arboretum is a 45-acre (18 ha) arboretum in Wyncote, Pennsylvania. The arboretum was founded by Mary Louise Curtis Bok in honor of her father, Cyrus Curtis.

The landscaping was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. The arboretum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Description

The arboretum surrounds Curtis Hall, once the ballroom of the Curtis family mansion, which now is operated by the Cheltenham Township Parks and Recreation Department.[2] The arboretum features hills, two ponds, a dog park, a small World War II memorial, and over 50 types of trees.

Curtis Arboretum serves as the home course for the Cheltenham High School men's and women's cross country running teams.

  • A colonnade or pergola remaining from the Curtis mansion
    A colonnade or pergola remaining from the Curtis mansion
  • Curtis Hall from the rear
    Curtis Hall from the rear
  • Ironwork with an oak leaf motif at the entrance gate
    Ironwork with an oak leaf motif at the entrance gate
  • The Curtis Arboretum Valley of Remembrance
    The Curtis Arboretum Valley of Remembrance

See also

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. ^ "Chelteham Township:Township Parks System". Township web site. Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania. Archived from the original on March 9, 2003. Retrieved September 6, 2010. Former estate of Cyrus H. K. Curtis, publishing magnate, the arboretum and music room of his mansion was acquired by the Township in 1937 as a gift from Mr. Curtis' daughter to last during her lifetime. Upon her death, it was reverted to the Curtis heirs. The property was purchased by the Township in 1974. The Hall is the former music room and ballroom of the Curtis mansion. A stone memorial and tree grove was established by the Township in 1948 in tribute to all residents who gave their lives in service in World War II.