The historic Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square prepares to unveil its latest modern chapter following a $250 million renovation, writes for WHYY. 

The popular attraction is reimagining itself as something with a sense of magic. 

Its new, huge conservatory looks as if it is floating on water, while the surrounding fountains spew both water and fire. 

“While it feels that we are on land, we are not,” said architect Marion Weiss of the Weiss/Manfredi firm. 

Longwood Reimagined: A New Garden Experience is a major redesign of the 17-acre area where the original 1921 conservatory overlooks a stunning fountain garden. The project is currently in the final stage of construction and is expected to open on Nov. 22. 

Additionally, the renovated ridge is the high point of the entire estate. Pierre du Pont selected the original masonry and glass conservatory in 1921. The conservatory had mostly utilitarian elements nearby including production greenhouses and a visitor parking lot. 

The renovation project fully transforms the ridge into an integrated visitor experience with its administrative building, education programming spaces, and the library of horticulture and botany. 

The highlight is the new West Conservatory, a modern horticultural monument of steel and glass. 

Read more about the Longwood Gardens project set to open next month in WHYY. 

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