Chanticleer Estate Garden Near Philadelphia PA
Artists Use Public Landscape & Flower Gardens for Plein Air Painting
Jul 29, 2009
With floral gardens, lush green forest paths, water lily ponds and thoughtfully placed respites with Adirondack and other custom-designed chairs – Chanticleer is a pleasure garden.
According to their website and brochure, the Chanticleer Estate was home to the Rosengarten family whose pharmaceutical company became part of Merck & Company. Chanticleer opened to the public in 1993 at the bequest of Adolf Rosengarten Jr. by creating the endowment of The Chanticleer Foundation. The majority of the floral gardens and landscaping were completed through the foundation.
Chanticleer, designed by architect Charles L. Borie in 1913 and the terrace and pool area designed by landscape architect Thomas Sears, was part of the development that occurred along the main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad. This area, extending northwest of Philadelphia, became a summer retreat for wealthy Philadelphia families in the early part of the 20th century, and is now known as the Main Line.
The Public Gardens of Chanticleer
The almost one mile main pathway of the public garden meanders through eight themed garden areas:
- Tea Cup Garden
- Tennis Court Garden
- Chanticleer Terrace
- Asian Woods
- Pond Garden
- Stream Garden Ruin & Gravel Garden
- Cut-Flower & Vegetable Garden
Printed garden guides describing the plants and flowers are housed in individually designed boxes, and are available at each of the garden locations.
Plein Air Painting in the Garden
Artists, photographers and illustrators are welcome on the grounds of the public garden during open hours on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. There is ample room to set up easels or tripods for a few hours or longer in the grassy areas along the pathway that meander through the gardens.
There are a variety of garden settings from which to choose – the carefully arranged potted plants on the porticos and patios of the houses, to the open areas of colorful flower gardens in various hues, to primarily green lush gardens in the forest or near the pool area.
Guidelines for artists and photographers are on the Chanticleer website.
Horticulture Classes – Painting Workshops – Botanical Illustration Classes
Classes and workshops are offered at Chanticleer through the following local organizations:
- The Pennsylvania Horticulture Society
- Philadelphia Society of Botanical Illustrators
- Wayne Art Center
- Main Line School Night
Chanticleer Hours & Admission Fees
This elegant public garden can be a quiet and peaceful respite for young and old – and a creatively stimulating environment for plein air painters. The majority of the pathways are wheelchair accessible.
The Gardens at Chanticleer are open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, April through October; and on Friday evenings until 8:00 p.m. from May through August.
Admission is $5 and free for those under 16.
Chanticleer
786 Church Road
Wayne, PA 19087
610-687-4163
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