'Wyck' Mansion in Germantown - Public domain botanical illustration

Wyck Mansion is not only the most beautiful one in Germantown, but as well, I believe the oldest house in it, and I further believe it the oldest house now standing in Philadelphia county.
Identifier: germantowngarden00jell (find matches)
Title: Germantown Gardens and Gardeners
Year: 1914 (1910s)
Authors: Jellett, Edwin C. (Edwin Costley), 1860-1929.
Subjects: Gardens -- Pennsylvania -- Germantown (Philadelphia). Germantown (Philadelphia, Pa.) -- Biography.
Publisher: Philadelphia: Horace F. McCann
Contributing Library: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, McLean Library
Digitizing Sponsor: LYRASIS Members and Sloan Foundation



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he year 1690. Theentrance to the original house was from a road which ranfrom near present Price Street, to near present JohnsonStreet, following the east bank of what was Honey-Run.The original survey of Germantown does not show this road,and it obviously was a turnout to avoid a poor part of theGreat-Road, for otherwise all between the points named,would have had to cross their neighbors property to reachit. Wyck Mansion is not only the most beautiful one inGermantown, but as well, I believe the oldest house in it, andI further believe it the oldest house now standing inPhiladelphia county. Many times I had the pleasure of being taken throughparts of the house, and through the garden by Miss Haines,where every object of historic interest within the house shedelighted to exhibit and enlarge upon, and every flowerwithin her garden appeared like an old friend to greet. Herknowledge of plants and of plant names was wonderful, andthe beauty of her home and its surroundings, though great,
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8i were always surpassed by her charming personality, and bythe beauty of her character. The first gardener to Reuben Haines was John Hart,who after was gardener at Loudoun. He also became ajobbing gardener, and in this capacity served BronsonAlcott at Pine Cottage. For a long time he had chargeof Friends Meeting and grounds upon West School HouseLane, and at this place, I first became acquainted with him.John Hart was an investor in real estate, became wealthy,and passed his last years at his home at northeast corner ofGreene Street and School House Lane, where he foundpleasure in the cultivation of his modest garden. He diedApril 15, 1885, aged 86 years. Passing many fine gardensupon West Walnut Lane, we stop at the Knorr House, onceat northwest corner of Main Street and Walnut Lane, wherelived Daniel B. Smith, a celebrated teacher, scientist, botanist,and President of Haverford College. I remember himas a very old man, and living at his sons home inCottage Row. His garden I never s