Melissa Laurentius of Bel Air, Md. got more than she bargained for when she and her two children went to Longwood Gardens on Aug. 17. She became the one-millionth visitor to the gardens during the 2011-2012 fiscal year.
Laurentius received a bouquet of flowers, a $300 gift certificate for Longwood’s gift shop and a lifetime membership for herself, husband and kids. She was also greeted by more than a hundred employees who cheered and applauded when Laurentius was told of the happenstance.
“I’m overjoyed,” she said, adding that her husband would join the rest of the family at the gardens later in the day. “It’s thrilling, very nice.”
Reaching one million visitors was also thrilling for Longwood’s Executive Director Paul Redman who said it was the first time such a thing has happened there.
“This is a major milestone for us all,” he said, adding that it’s not just about Longwood. “It’s very exciting. This is about having as many people experience the beauty and wonder of Longwood. I hope that what comes out of this is that there’s a greater awareness of all public gardens in the country and the role they play in our communities.”
He attributed the high attendance during this fiscal year — from Oct. 1-Sept. 30 — to “dynamic programming and the experience of our ever-changing nature here at Longwood.”
The current exhibition drawing attention, he said, is the Bruce Munro light exhibit. Redman said it’s made a “dramatic change” to this summer’s attendance.
Longwood released the following statement in an email after the event: “This millionth guest is a celebration on many levels. To see a million people come to a garden fulfills our mission and brings to life the legacy of Pierre S. du Pont, enriching people, finding value in gardens as premier arts and cultural offerings. This type of growth was purposeful and it began with the creation of a shared vision and multiple, impactful planning efforts over four years; we believe that planning never ends and is embedded into our culture.”
Photo caption: Longwood Gardens Executive Director Paul Redman presents a lifetime pass to Melissa Laurentius of Bel Air, Md. when she become the one-millionth visitor to Longwood this fiscal year. (Photo by Rich Schwartzman)
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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