Picture rolling hills. Imagine a place once home to a newspaper magnate. Welcome to Curtis Arboretum a hidden gem in Wyncote Pennsylvania.
This sprawling 45-acre haven wasn’t always a public park. It began as the Lyndon estate purchased in 1893 by Cyrus Curtis the publishing tycoon behind The Saturday Evening Post. He commissioned the renowned Thomas Meehan a botanist to landscape the property. Meehan is famed for his work at Bartram’s Gardens and Hunting Park.
Curtis hosted extravagant parties at his million-dollar mansion. His daughter Mary Louise Curtis Bok later donated the estate to Cheltenham Township in 1937. But first she hired the Olmsted Brothers sons of the legendary Frederick Law Olmsted. They transformed the grounds into the arboretum we see today. The Olmsteds believed parks boost mental and physical health fostering community. Their design is preserved in the Olmsted Archives.
Today Curtis Arboretum is free and open from dawn to dusk. It features two ponds. Several hills roll gently. A World War II memorial stands as a tribute. There’s even a dog park. More than 50 tree varieties grace the grounds. It’s a popular spot for Cheltenham High School’s cross-country teams. Concerts in the Park fill the air each summer.
Curtis Hall the former ballroom of the mansion is now managed by the Cheltenham Township Parks and Recreation Department. It can host events for up to 200 guests. The Philadelphia Orchestra even played a free concert here in 2012. A significant renovation in 2019 was highlighted by PBS39.
The arboretum’s history stretches back 170 years beyond Curtis. It was once Quaker farmland. Then it became the Chelten Hills estate sold to wealthy Philadelphians. Abraham Barker a prominent banker owned it before Curtis. His bank’s failure led to Curtis’ acquisition.
The Curtis Arboretum isn’t just a pretty place. It’s a living testament to history community and the enduring legacy of a publishing empire. It’s a tranquil escape and a vibrant hub all in one. Enjoy your time exploring this remarkable arboretum.