Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Blithewold Mansion (west elevation)
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| Location | Bristol, Rhode Island |
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| Built | 1895 |
| Architect | Dewolf, John; Kilham & Hopkins |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals |
| Website | http://www.blithewold.org |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000074 |
| Added to NRHP | June 27, 1980 |
The Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum is a beautiful estate in Bristol, Rhode Island. It's like a huge park with amazing trees and plants, covering about 32 acres (13 hectares). You can find it right on Bristol Harbor, with cool views of Narragansett Bay.
This special place includes a big mansion, a large grassy area, and over 300 different kinds of trees and shrubs. Some of these plants are native to the area, while others come from far-off places.
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Discover Blithewold Mansion and Gardens
Blithewold was first created in the 1890s. It was the summer home for Augustus and Bessie Van Wickle. Augustus Van Wickle was a wealthy man from Hazleton, Pennsylvania. He made his money in the coal mining business. He also gave money to Brown University for their famous Van Wickle gates.
The beautiful design of the grounds you see today was mostly planned by John DeWolf. His work on the gardens and arboretum happened between 1896 and 1913. Because of its history and beauty, Blithewold was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This means it's a very important historical site.
Exploring the Amazing Gardens
Blithewold's gardens are home to plants from all over the world. You can find species from North America, Europe, China, and Japan. It's like a plant adventure!
Notable Trees and Plants
Some of the cool trees you can see include:
- Magnolias: These trees have large, often fragrant flowers.
- Lindens: Known for their heart-shaped leaves and sweet-smelling flowers.
- Ginkgo: A very old type of tree, often called a "living fossil."
- Black Tupelo: A tree that shows off bright red and orange leaves in the fall.
- Dawn Redwood: This tree was once thought to be extinct, but then it was rediscovered!
- Franklinia: A rare tree with beautiful white flowers.
- Eastern Hemlock: A tall evergreen tree.
- Oaks and Beeches: Common but impressive trees with strong trunks.
You can also find a weeping Pagoda Tree, which has branches that hang down. There's also Hiba, Katsura, and Sugi trees. The grounds also have English Yews and Eastern Junipers.
One of the most exciting trees at Blithewold is a Giant Sequoia. It was planted in 1911 and is now about 100 feet (30 meters) tall! People say it's the largest Giant Sequoia on the East Coast of the United States.
The Bamboo Grove
Imagine walking through a forest of bamboo! Blithewold has a special area called the Bamboo Grove. It's almost as big as a tennis court. Here, you'll find the Yellow-groove bamboo, which can grow up to 33 feet (10 meters) tall. It's a fun place to explore!
Connection to Other Gardens
Blithewold has worked with the Arnold Arboretum since 1926. The Arnold Arboretum is another famous plant research center. In 1926, botanists (plant scientists) from Arnold Arboretum visited Blithewold. They came to see a Chinese toon tree in flower. At the time, it was believed to be the first time this tree had bloomed in the United States!
See also
