Join us to learn about Andalusia, a 65-acre estate containing the Biddle family’s early 19th-century Greek Revival home designed by famed architect Benjamin Latrobe, surrounded by native woodlands, formal gardens, and arboretum. John Vick, Director of Collections, Interpretation & Engagement at Andalusia, will present a talk on this National Historic Landmark located in Bucks County.

Since 1795, the bucolic estate Andalusia has sat along the banks of the Delaware River, just north of Philadelphia. John Vick will discuss the long history of the site from its earliest development in 1681, the same year as William Penn’s land grant, to its current operations as a non-profit organization that welcomes thousands of visitors each year.

At the heart of Andalusia is the Big House, a stunning Greek Revival mansion built in 1797, expanded in 1806-8 and 1833-35, and updated with modern utilities beginning in the 1910s. Two of its architects, Benjamin Latrobe and Thomas Walter, also designed elements of the United States Capitol. As John will recount, the story of the Big House parallels the fascinating lives of its residents, including merchant John Craig, banker Nicholas Biddle, and gardener Letitia Glenn Biddle. Andalusia also stewards the legacy of the wider Biddle family, which since 1681 has played an influential part in national politics, military, law, and the arts.

Equally impressive is Andalusia’s scenic place along the Delaware River, with 50 acres of public gardens and an arboretum representing more than 250 unique tree specimens. John will discuss how the grounds changed over time from a small farming operation in the 1790s to a technologically advanced grower of table grapes in the 1830s. By the end of the nineteenth century, the agricultural focus on fruits, vegetables, and grains shifted to flowers and ornamentals, starting a new tradition of gardening that still delights visitors today. Always evolving, Andalusia’s gardens saw major additions as recently as 2018, and John will preview more exciting expansions that lay on the horizon.

This program fulfills the Information Literacy of PaLA's PA Forward Gold Star program. There will be no salespeople present, no forms to complete, and the presenter will not receive a list of program attendees.