Christmas at Longwood Gardens – Du Pont House

By Pattyhankins @PattyHankins

One of my favorite places at Longwood Gardens at Christmas time is the Peirce-du Pont House. While sections of the house date back to the 1730s when it was built for Joshua Peirce, the current configuration of the house was created for Pierre du Pont after he bought the property in the early 1900s. Each year at Christmas, the Longwood Gardens staff decorates the house to reflect the year’s theme and how it likely would have been interpreted at the home. To me, the decorations in the Conservatory are always spectacular, while the ones at du Pont house always seem a bit more elegant and refined.

Here are some of my photos from this year’s decorations at the du Pont house.

© 2012 Patty Hankins

© 2012 Patty Hankins

© 2012 Patty Hankins

© 2012 Patty Hankins

 © 2012 Patty Hankins

© 2012 Patty Hankins

While photographing the Christmas decorations at du Pont house – I ran into one of the members of the Longwood rodent control team. This is Belin, who spends most of his time at du Pont house. He was lounging in one of the chairs – demanding to be petted. And of course, I did!

© 2012 Patty Hankins

I’m still not sure which are my favorite of this year’s Christmas decorations at Longwood Gardens. Is there a set you liked best?