The Curtis Arboretum is a 45-acre (18 ha) arboretum in Wyncote, Pennsylvania. The arboretum was founded by Mary Louise Curtis Bok in honor of her father, Cyrus Curtis.
Curtis Arboretum | |
 Curtis Hall on the grounds of the Curtis Arboretum | |
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| Location | 1250 W. Church Rd. Wyncote Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°5′6.2262″N 75°8′52.5942″W / 40.085062833°N 75.147942833°W |
| Area | 45 acres (180,000 m2) |
| Built | 1937 |
| Architect | Baily & Truscott, et al.; Frederick Law Olmsted |
| Architectural style | Renaissance Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 02000229[1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | March 20, 2002 |
| Designated PHMC | November 7, 2005 |
The landscaping was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. The arboretum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Description
editThe arboretum surrounds Curtis Hall, once the ballroom of the Curtis family mansion, which now is operated by the Cheltenham Township Parks and Recreation Department.[2] The arboretum features hills, two ponds, a dog park, a small World War II memorial, and over 50 types of trees.
Curtis Arboretum serves as the home course for the Cheltenham High School men's and women's cross country running teams.
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Curtis Hall from the rear
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Ironwork with an oak leaf motif at the entrance gate
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The Curtis Arboretum Valley of Remembrance
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
- ^ "Chelteham Township:Township Parks System". Township web site. Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania. Archived from the original on March 9, 2003. Retrieved September 6, 2010.
Former estate of Cyrus H. K. Curtis, publishing magnate, the arboretum and music room of his mansion was acquired by the Township in 1937 as a gift from Mr. Curtis' daughter to last during her lifetime. Upon her death, it was reverted to the Curtis heirs. The property was purchased by the Township in 1974. The Hall is the former music room and ballroom of the Curtis mansion. A stone memorial and tree grove was established by the Township in 1948 in tribute to all residents who gave their lives in service in World War II.
External links
edit- Friends of Curtis Arboretum
- Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. PA-6057, "Curtis Hall, 8230 Old York Road, Elkins Park, Montgomery County, PA", 4 photos, 4 data pages, 1 photo caption page
- HABS No. PA-6057-A, "Curtis Hall, Dependency", 2 photos, 1 photo caption page
- Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS) No. PA-29, "Curtis Arboretum, 1250 Church Road, Wyncote, Montgomery County, PA", 2 measured drawings, 24 data pages