Longwood Gardens Announces Release of Du Pont Gardens of the Brandywine Valley

New book celebrates the du Pont family legacy of land stewardship and horticultural creativity. Book signing and lecture slated for October 1 at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library.

Kennett Square, PA - Longwood Gardens today announced the release of Du Pont Gardens of the Brandywine Valley, a stunning new book featuring photographs by Larry Lederman and text by Marta McDowell. The book explores the rich history and unique attributes of five former du Pont estates that have become cultural landmarks in the Brandywine Valley, including Hagley Museum and Library, Nemours Estate, Mt. Cuba Center, Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, and Longwood Gardens. The hardcover book retails for $60 and is available now onsite at Longwood’s Garden Shop and online at shop.longwoodgardens.org/product/dupont-gardens-of-the-brandywine/.

Published by Monacelli, Du Pont Gardens of the Brandywine Valley features 240 pages and 220 stunning photographs. The book opens with a preface by Lederman that details his personal experience with the gardens, an introductory essay by Charles A. Birnbaum, President and CEO of the Cultural Landscape Foundation, who writes about the du Pont landscape legacy, and a chapter dedicated to the du Pont heritage of horticulture and stewardship. McDowell, a garden writer who combines a deep knowledge of garden design and horticulture with a penchant for social history, contributed the book’s thoughtful text, relating the stories of these gardens, both their history and their commitment to the future through strategies for sustainable management and growth.

“The Brandywine Valley is home to some of the most spectacular gardens in the world and so much of that beauty is owed to the thoughtful vision of the du Pont family who created and preserved these estates for all to enjoy,” said Paul B. Redman, President and CEO of Longwood Gardens. “We are delighted to join these other great gardens in celebrating the release of this new book. The inspiring stories by Marta McDowell coupled with the beautiful images by Larry Lederman make this book an inspiring read for garden lovers, landscape designers, and horticulturists.”

To celebrate the launch of the new book, a book signing and lecture will be held at Winterthur Museum, Garden, & Library on Sunday, October 1 at 1pm. McDowell will share stories and histories of the gardens, while Lederman will describe his approach and experience photographing these beautiful places throughout the seasons. A selection of photos from the book will be on display. Tickets for the lecture only or including the lecture and a signed copy of the book, are available now on the Winterthur website.

Since arriving in America in 1800, the descendants of the du Pont family have made their mark as innovative industrialists, generous philanthropists, pioneering preservationists, collectors of American decorative arts, and ecological stewards of natural environments. Longwood’s own legacy finds its beginning interwoven with the du Pont family’s passion for nature and preservation. In 1906, industrialist Pierre S. du Pont (1870-1954) purchased a small farm near Kennett Square, PA, to save a collection of historic trees from being sold for lumber. Through that act of preservation, Longwood Gardens was born. In Du Pont Gardens of the Brandywine Valley, readers can view the iconic landscapes of one of the world’s great horticultural displays and its 1,100 acres of dazzling gardens, woodlands, meadows, fountains, and grand conservatory.

Lederman’s vivid photographs exquisitely capture the beauty and spirit of each place, moving through the seasons and the day from dawn to dusk. With an individual chapter dedicated to each garden, readers will travel to the naturalized woodland at Winterthur, the Beaux-Arts elegance of Nemours, the striking ruins atop ruins of the Crowninshield Garden at Hagley, and the picturesque native plant gardens and scenic trails of Mt. Cuba Center.

About the Authors
Following a successful career in corporate law, Larry Lederman turned to photography as an avocation. From an initial focus on the forms and foliage of trees, Lederman now captures the beauty of gardens and landscapes through the seasons. He is the author of many books, including Magnificent Trees of the New York Botanical Garden, The Rockefeller Family Gardens: An American Legacy, and Garden Portraits: Experiencing Natural Beauty, all published by Monacelli, and the principal photographer for the 125th anniversary edition of The New York Botanical Garden (Abrams).
Marta McDowell is a garden historian and writer whose books include Emily Dickinson’s Gardening Life, Unearthing the Secret Garden, and Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life. She teaches landscape history and horticulture at the New York Botanical Garden and is a featured speaker at garden clubs and horticultural organizations.
Charles A. Birnbaum, FASLA, FAAR, founder, president, and CEO of The Cultural Landscape Foundation, is the editor of Experiencing Olmsted, a survey of parks and public spaces.

About Longwood Gardens
In 1906, industrialist Pierre S. du Pont (1870-1954) purchased a small farm near Kennett Square, PA, to save a collection of historic trees from being sold for lumber. Today, Longwood Gardens is one of the world’s great horticultural displays, encompassing 1,100 acres of dazzling gardens, woodlands, meadows, fountains, a 10,010-pipe Aeolian organ, and grand conservatory. Longwood Gardens is the living legacy of Pierre S. du Pont, bringing joy and inspiration to everyone through the beauty of nature, conservation, and learning. Open daily, Longwood is one of more than 30 gardens in the Philadelphia region known as America’s Garden Capital. For more information, visit longwoodgardens.org.

Du Pont Gardens of the Brandywine Valley Book Signing and Lecture
When: Sunday, October 1 @ 1 PM
Where: Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, 5105 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807
Details: Garden historian and writer Marta McDowell will share stories and histories of the gardens, while acclaimed photographer Larry Lederman will describe his approach and experience photographing these beautiful places. A selection of photos from the book will be on display. Tickets for the lecture only or including the lecture and a signed copy of the book, are available now on the Winterthur website.

Parents! Looking for something worthwhile for your child after school? Our popular group drumming sessions for beginners, grooveKIDS, will return in September. This class is designed for early elementary students (grades 3-6). No prior drumming experience required. The students will learn:

• about the basics of rhythm;

• how to play in a small group and

• how to improve their listening skills.

The classes will take place at the studio on Mondays in September and October: (9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9 and 10/16) from 4:00pm - 4:50pm. All materials will be provided.

Art Stroll Kennett Square

https://historickennettsquare.com/

Art Loop Wilmington

http://artloopwilmington.org/

First Friday West Chester

http://www.downtownwestchester.com/view_program.php?id=468

Visit historic Newlin Grist Mill on Saturday, October 7, 2023 from 10am to 4pm to experience the site’s annual Fall Harvest Festival, back this year for the first time since 2019. A local favorite, this event provides fun for the whole family!

The festival will feature a variety of historic skills and trades demonstrations, as well as fun activities for kids of all ages. Visitors can learn colonial dancing with the Heritage Dancers, enjoy performances by Tuckers’ Tales Puppet Theatre, and play 18^th-century games! Many favorite activities from years past will be returning, including pumpkin painting and hayrides. A Colonial Market will offer up handcrafted goods for sale, and a Tavern will feature beverages from Deer Creek Malthouse and Penns Woods Winery.

This year’s theme, “Food Traditions Past and Present,” will highlight foods and cooking from the 18th century, along with the trades that made it possible to put food on the table in early America. Food trucks will also be on site offering delicious 21^st-century eats!

Admission to the Fall Harvest Festival is free for all ages. Parking is $5 per car. Shuttle buses between the parking area and the festival site will run every 15 minutes throughout the event. Additional costs apply for hayrides and pumpkin painting. For more information, visit www.newlingristmill.org or call the site at 610-459-2359.

The Fall Harvest Festival is made possible in part by the generous sponsorship of Team Toyota of Glen Mills and Univest Bank & Trust Co., with additional support from Chandler Funeral Home, Harry Tillman Automotive LLC, Hoffman’s Exterminating Co., IT Edge, R. Webb Excavating LLC, and WSFS Bank.

Parents! Looking for something worthwhile for your child after school? Our popular group drumming sessions for beginners, grooveKIDS, will return in September. This class is designed for early elementary students (grades 3-6). No prior drumming experience required. The students will learn:

• about the basics of rhythm;

• how to play in a small group and

• how to improve their listening skills.

The classes will take place at the studio on Mondays in September and October: (9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9 and 10/16) from 4:00pm - 4:50pm. All materials will be provided.

FALL IN LOVE ALL OVER AGAIN.

MAKING WILMINGTON PREMIERE IN OCTOBER

- TICKETS ON SALE NOW -

The Grand presents the Wilmington premiere of PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL at The Playhouse on Rodney Square for five performances only, Friday, October 13 through Sunday, October 15. PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL is part of the 2023-2024 Broadway in Wilmington season presented by Bank of America.

Tickets for PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL are on sale now at BroadwayInWilmington.org, by calling 302.888.0200, or by visiting The Playhouse Box Office at 1007 N. Market Street. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more and may be placed by calling 302.888.0200.

PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL, based on one of Hollywood’s most beloved romantic stories of all springs to life with a powerhouse creative team led by two-time Tony Award®-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray, Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde).

PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL features an original score by Grammy® winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance (“Summer of ’69”, “Heaven”), and a book by the movie’s legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J. F. Lawton. PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL will lift your spirits and light up your heart. “If you love the movie, you’ll love the musical!” (BuzzFeed News).

Leading the North American tour as Vivian Ward and Edward Lewis are Ellie Baker and Chase Wolfe . Joining them are Rae Davenport as Kit De Luca, Adam Du Plessis as Happy Man/Mr. Thompson, and Liam Searcy as Philip Stuckey.

Rounding out the company in alphabetical order are Matthew Blum, Brianna Clark, Kerry D’Jovanni, Vincent DiPeri, Lauren Esser, Charlie Fusari, Steven Gagliano, Justin Glass, Christian Maxwell Henry, Alexandra Kinsley, Joshua Kring, Bethany McDonald, Robert Miller, Hank Santos, Taylor M. Sheppard, Devyn Trondson, Elana Valastro, Sarah Wang, and Channing Weir.

PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL has original scenic design by David Rockwell, tour scenic design by Christine Peters, costume design by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Kenneth Posner and Philip S. Rosenberg, sound design by John Shivers, hair design by Josh Marquette, makeup design by Fiona Mifsud, and music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations by Will Van Dyke.

 Featured in the musical is Roy Orbison and Bill Dee’s international smash hit song “Oh, Pretty Woman,” which inspired the iconic movie. PRETTY WOMAN the film (produced by Arnon Milchan - New Regency Productions) was an international smash hit when it was released in 1990.

PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL is “Big Romance & Big Fun!” (Broadway.com) and “Dazzles!” (Deadline). The Hollywood Reporter calls it “Irresistible! A romantic fantasy. A contemporary fairy tale.” And BuzzFeed News says “If you love the movie, you’ll love the musical!” The 3-time Audience Choice Award-Winner is brought to life by a powerhouse creative team representing the best of music, Hollywood, and Broadway. PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL will lift your spirits and light up your heart.

PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL ended its 13-month run at the Nederlander Theatre on Broadway on August 18, 2019. The musical began performances in Hamburg, Germany on September 24, 2019, and opened in London’s West End in February 2020 before COVID-19 shuttered theaters around the world. The London production reopened July 8, 2021 to great acclaim at the Savoy Theatre in the West End.

PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL is produced on tour by Crossroads Live North America and is booked by The Booking Group (www.thebookinggroup.com).

This production of PRETTY WOMAN THE MUSICAL was licensed by Music Theatre International, www.mtishows.com.

Atlantic Records’ PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL (ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING) is produced by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance and is available on all DSP’s and on Vinyl and CD in stores nationwide.

For more information visit: PrettyWomanTheMusical.com

Facebook.com/PrettyWoman | Twitter.com/PrettyWoman | Instagram.com/PrettyWoman/

 IF YOU GO:

What:                 PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL

When:                October 13-15, 2023

Times:                Friday, October 13 at 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 14 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

                            Sunday, October 15 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Price:                  Tickets start at $40

Where:               The Playhouse on Rodney Square

                            1007 N. Market Street

                            Wilmington, DE

Phone:                302.888.0200

Website:            www.BroadwayInWilmington.org

# # #

Broadway in Wilmington is presented by Bank of America. Additional season support by The Buccini/Pollin Group. This program is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.

Parents! Looking for something worthwhile for your child after school? Our popular group drumming sessions for beginners, grooveKIDS, will return in September. This class is designed for early elementary students (grades 3-6). No prior drumming experience required. The students will learn:

• about the basics of rhythm;

• how to play in a small group and

• how to improve their listening skills.

The classes will take place at the studio on Mondays in September and October: (9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9 and 10/16) from 4:00pm - 4:50pm. All materials will be provided.

FIRST STATE BALLET THEATRE KICKS OFF 2023-2024

SEASON AT THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE WITH COPPÉLIA

The charming tale of love, mischief and a mysterious toy maker
Join the vivacious Swanhilda and her friends as they set out to uncover the identity of the mysterious Coppélia, whose appearance at the workshop of the eccentric Dr. Coppelius sets off a chain of comical misadventures. This charming classic filled with laughs and delightful music and dancing is perfect for young audiences.

Saturday, October 21 at 7 pm
Sunday, October 22 at 2 pm
The Grand Opera House – Copeland Hall
818 N. Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Tickets: $19.99-$57
Call 302-652-5577 or visit www.thegrandwilmington.org

FSBT PARTNERS WITH RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF GREATER
DELAWARE FOR TOY DRIVE
FSBT will be conducting a Toy Drive at our three shows in Copeland Hall this season – Coppélia, The Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty – to benefit the families staying at Ronald McDonald House in Wilmington. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Delaware serves families with seriously ill children by enabling access to medical care and providing a place that offers comfort, hope, and togetherness. Bring a toy to any performances to donate and brighten the lives of families facing serious challenges.
For a list of suggested donations, visit www.firststateballet.org.

Ronald McDonald House Contact
Erin McGrath
Marketing & Communications Manager
Ronald McDonald House of Delaware
302-428-5322
erin@rmhcdelaware.org

ABOUT FIRST STATE BALLET THEATRE
Established in 1999, First State Ballet Theatre (FSBT) is Delaware's leader in ballet performance, training, education and outreach. Our mission is to present ballet boldly to Delaware; to enrich our community with live professional performances; to inspire and educate dancers and audiences of the future; and to connect local youth with a creative, inclusive movement experience.
First State Ballet Theatre is Delaware's only professional ballet company and employs a diverse roster of professional dancers from around the world. FSBT is based in Wilmington’s historic Grand Opera House and presents classical and contemporary ballet programming and new works from local and internationally-recognized choreographers.
Each year FSBT reaches over 6,000 people through our performances and outreach programs. The School of FSBT offers ballet classes and other dance programming year-round for students ages three years to seniors and attracts students from Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and all three counties in Delaware.
This organization is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.delawarescene.com.

For more information about First State Ballet Theatre’s 2023-2024 Season,
please visit www.firststateballet.org

Art Stroll Kennett Square

https://historickennettsquare.com/

Art Loop Wilmington

http://artloopwilmington.org/

First Friday West Chester

http://www.downtownwestchester.com/view_program.php?id=468

Art Stroll Kennett Square

https://historickennettsquare.com/

Art Loop Wilmington

http://artloopwilmington.org/

First Friday West Chester

http://www.downtownwestchester.com/view_program.php?id=468

Art Stroll Kennett Square

https://historickennettsquare.com/

Art Loop Wilmington

http://artloopwilmington.org/

First Friday West Chester

http://www.downtownwestchester.com/view_program.php?id=468

Art Stroll Kennett Square

https://historickennettsquare.com/

Art Loop Wilmington

http://artloopwilmington.org/

First Friday West Chester

http://www.downtownwestchester.com/view_program.php?id=468

Art Stroll Kennett Square

https://historickennettsquare.com/

Art Loop Wilmington

http://artloopwilmington.org/

First Friday West Chester

http://www.downtownwestchester.com/view_program.php?id=468

Art Stroll Kennett Square

https://historickennettsquare.com/

Art Loop Wilmington

http://artloopwilmington.org/

First Friday West Chester

http://www.downtownwestchester.com/view_program.php?id=468