Private Estate 1887-1932
Collections: Private Estate Era, 1887–1932
Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania Records
Morris Arboretum was originally the private estate of John Thompson Morris (1847-1915) and his sister Lydia Thompson Morris (1849-1932). John and Lydia established the estate in 1887 with the purchase of 67 acres in Chestnut Hill, which they named Compton. Their Gothic Revival style mansion and carriage house, designed by Theophilus P. Chandler, Jr., were constructed the following year. In subsequent years, they built a large greenhouse complex near the banks of the Wissahickon River, including a Fernery, Palm House, potting shed and hotbeds.
Over the next quarter century, John and Lydia Morris purchased several contiguous properties and enhanced the grounds with classic European and Japanese gardens, picturesque garden follies, fountains, ponds and pergolas. Between 1881 and 1910, the Morrises went on eight extended trips overseas and attended seven international expositions. On their travels, they purchased antiquities and objet d’art to furnish the mansion and donate to Philadelphia institutions.
In addition to creating beautiful pleasure gardens for their own enjoyment, John and Lydia amassed an extensive collection of tree and shrub families and genera from around the world, with the goal of establishing botanical gardens “conducted on scientific principles.” Their goal was realized after John’s death when Lydia bequeathed Compton and Bloomfield to the University of Pennsylvania.
Biographical Sketches
John T. Morris biographical sketch
Lydia T. Morris biographical sketch
Yonehachi Muto, Landscape Architect: Hill & Water Garden, Overlook Garden
“From the Archives”
Articles about the Private Estate Era
Each month, the Morris Arboretum Volunteer Newsletter features a column, “From the Archives,” about people and events of the Private Estate Era. The column is authored by archives volunteer, Joyce Munro. Click on the links below to read these articles:
- From the Archives 2018: includes “A Book from Lydia’s Library,” “The Teahouse from Japan,” “The Lure of a Log Cabin,” “Landscaping Compton,” “The Bloomfield Chicks” and others.
- From the Archives 2019: includes stories of Mercury Loggia, the Japanese Gardens, Fernery, Seven Arches, and others.
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From the Archives 2020: includes stories of Bloomfield Farm, the 1918 Pandemic, Stonemason Pringle Borthwick and others.
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From the Archives 2021: includes stories of the Palm House, Flower Walk, Boathouse, Clematis Circle and others.
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From the Archives 2022: includes stories of the Gardener’s Cottage, Orange Balustrade, Rose Parterre, Japanese Rock Pond and others.
Catalogues of Articles of Interest Belonging to John and Lydia Morris
In the course of their extensive world travels, John and Lydia Morris collected a wide range of antiquities and artifacts to furnish their homes. Many of these items were later donated to the School of Industrial Art at the Pennsylvania Museum of Art, the University of Pennsylvania’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology or the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society. Click on the links below to explore their “articles of interest.”