Franklin`s Secret Garden

The Camden City Garden Club presents a unique perspective on the 175th Anniversary Philadelphia Flower Show theme, "Destination: Paradise", with its exhibit, "Ben Franklin's Secret Garden: Sowing the Seeds of the American Paradise."

Franklin's love of nature, science, and discovery springs to life in this imagined version of Franklin's garden. The exhibit features a garden containing Weeping Mulberry Trees. A Mulberry tree is known to have been in Franklin's garden, under which he entertained and lobbied members of the Constitutional Convention. Children often use Weeping Mulberry Trees as secret hiding places.

A workshop is also featured which pays tribute to Ben Franklin the printer, scientist, inventor, diplomat and writer. Imagined as a practical conversion of a stable, where Franklin was inspired by the view of his garden, the workshop contains a Franklin era printing press (courtesy of the Franklin Institute), numerous reproductions of Franklin items, and interactive science exhibitry inspired by Franklin's discoveries.

Landscaped with diverse and colorful plants commonly found in the region, the exhibit creates this garden paradise as a beautiful backdrop and inspiration to Franklin, as he helped to create America as the world's "Destination Paradise." Visitors follow the garden walkway lined with Weeping Mulberry, Franklinia trees, Northern Red Oaks and Hemlock, the state trees of New Jersey and Pennsylvania respectively. The garden is accented with bright azaleas, rhododendron, astible, and much more. The garden path is made of EP Henry pavers engraved with Franklin's maxims, wit, wisdom and humor taken from his "Autobiography," "Poor Richard's Almanac", and other writings. Along the path, see numerous topiary animals including two wild turkeys; Franklin's choice for our National Bird.

The garden path leads into Franklin's workshop. Carpentry students at Camden County Technical Schools in Sicklerville, built the workshop under the leadership of Carpentry teacher, Mike McLane. Inside, visitors can view silk worms, which Franklin cultivated in various stages of their life cycle. Franklin invented items are also showcased such as bifocals, a busybody security mirror, and a Franklin Stove provided by Bob's Fireside Shop of Woodbury, NJ. Camden Children's Garden staff members have created handmade reproductions of printing tools and equipment that Franklin would have used in printing "Poor Richard's Almanac." Garden Supervisor Wally Ramont supervised a team of Garden employees and high school students from Camden County Technical Schools, in creating these items, and other 18th century garden features including a water pump and trough and wheelbarrow. The exhibit will also feature a Franklin-era printing press, as well as, a unique sculpture that Franklin posed for, on loan from the Franklin Institute.

As in previous years, all parts of the exhibit will be returned to the Camden Children's Garden as a permanent attraction. The return of "Ben Franklin's Secret Garden" will highlight the Camden Children's Garden's 5th anniversary season on the Camden Waterfront, in which exciting events are planned to mark this milestone. Celebrate with us, in the summer of 2004, when "Ben Franklin's Secret Garden" will return, permanently, to the Camden Children's Garden in the form of a year-round educational attraction.

Generous sponsors including the State of New Jersey, the Campbell Soup Foundation, EP Henry, Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Delaware River Port Authority, MAB Paints, PSE&G and the Subaru of America Foundation have made the Camden City Garden Club's exhibit possible. In addition, architect Tim Kearney and the Camden County Technical School have lent their talents in the design and construction of this exhibit and the forcing of plant material. Invaluable support from the Franklin Institute, American Philosophical Society, and Historic Bartram's Garden, have been given through consultation, research, and loan of exhibitry. Special thanks are also given to the Camden County Parks Department, Friends of Franklin, ING, L.F. Driscoll Construction Company, Mafco Worldwide Corporation, McKingley Graphics Inc, New Tech Kites, NJ Department of Community Affairs, and the Philadelphia's Carpenter's Union.

The Philadelphia Flower Show runs March 7-14. Public hours are Sundays, March 7 & March 14, 8 am to 6 pm; Monday, March 8 - Friday, March 12, 10 am to 9:30 pm; Saturday, March 13, 8 am to 9:30 pm (Best viewing hours are after 4 pm). The 2004 show is being held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA.

For more information about the CCGC exhibit call (856) 365-8733. Advance tickets sales are available at a discount at Ginkgo's Gift Shop located at the Camden Children's Garden, 3 Riverside Drive, in Camden, NJ. For advance tickets to the show call (856) 966-4465.

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Author: Press Release