Included below: List of DTR recordings of Longwood Gardens Organ, Description of Longwood Gardens and the organ, and Specifications of the organ.

    Longwood Gardens, located at Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is renowned for magnificent gardens featuring 14,000 varieties of plants. A Quaker family named Peirce purchased the land from William Penn in 1700 and planted ornamental trees. By the mid-19th century, this park had become one of America's choicest aboretums. Pierre S. duPont (1870-1954) bought the property in 1906 and, in addition to heading both DuPont and General Motors, set about to create magnificent formal gardens and fountains that would rival the splendor of Versailles.
Every season is beautiful at Longwood. Spring comes alive with vast expanses of dogwood, rhododendrons, and azaleas. Zinnias, marigolds, and a host of other plants bloom in summer, and illuminated fountains, sometimes with fireworks, color the evening sky on special nights. Fall gives way to brilliant chrysanthemum displays. A visit can be delightful even during the coldest weather. With frigid air lurking just beyond the frosted glass, visitors stroll along flower-lined paths of the vast conservatory.
    In addition to being a lover of horticulture, Mr. duPont enjoyed music and made it part of the Longwood tradition. Concerts are held regularly throughout the year. The ballroom, where many of these performances are given, is unique. Of interest are the beautiful crystal chandeliers, the delicate pink glass ceiling, and the walnut parquet floor made from gunstock blocks obtained from army surplus after World War I.
    The organ, located in the ballroom, was built in 1930 by the Aeolian Company, and the pipes are housed in a chamber 63 feet wide, 23 feet deep, and 40 feet high which runs parallel to the ballroom. Large brass-framed windows and doors can be opened to allow the music to be heard throughout the conservatories.
    Since the instrument was designed to fill an area equal to the space of three large cathedrals, it is extremely powerful. Considered to the on of the finest remaining orchestral organs, the instrument has 10,010 pipes, 250 stops and couplers, five thirty-two foot pedal stops, 364 percussion tones, 70 combination pistons, and a nin-foot concert grand piano. It was rebuilt in 1957 by the Moller Company, and a new four-manual drawknob console was installed.
    The organ is well-maintained and has not been tonally altered over the years.
    For information about visiting Longwood Gardens, call 610-388-1000.

    Click here for ogran specifications.