ANDALUSIA TODAY
Andalusia survives today because so many people have given their time and resources to caring for this extraordinary place.
The Andalusia Foundation is dedicated to preserving the Big House, its archives, and collection for the benefit of the general public, and to ensure that this jewel of American history survives to delight and inform Americans for years to come.
ANDALUSIA FOUNDATION
Celebrating Our 44th Year 1980-2024
In 1980, James Biddle, then President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and a leader of the historic preservation movement in the United States, made the decision to divide Andalusia and give away the Big House and nearly 15 acres of land to the Andalusia Foundation. The time had come, he felt, to share Andalusia’s beauty with others who would understand and appreciate it just as his family had for generations.
Today the Foundation comprises 50 acres of gardens and woodlands, the Big House, the Grotto, and other outbuildings throughout the property. Andalusia has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors to share in its history and step back in time to imagine lives played out long before our own.
Click here to sign up for our mailing list to stay informed about upcoming events and programs that will support the Foundation.
BECOME A FRIEND OF ANDALUSIA
Friends of Andalusia receive free House Tours and Gardens Admission during public hours, as well as additional benefits.
Your generosity and engagement support the preservation of historic Andalusia’s buildings, gardens, and arboretum, enabling us to open the property to the public and preserve the site for future generations. Membership provides access to information, tours, and special events throughout the year, as well as the critical financial support required to maintain and open the estate for public tours. Your support is significant and extremely appreciated.
Andalusia is proud to be a member of America’s Garden Capital!
The Philadelphia region has a rich tradition of public gardens, arboreta, and historic landscapes. There are more than 30 gardens within 30 miles of Philadelphia.
In 1989, a consortium of Philadelphia-area gardens joined forces to promote their gardens and encourage visitation. That collaboration, one of the first of its kind in the country, is now Greater Philadelphia Gardens, whose member gardens attract more than two million visitors each year.
So much of the nation’s horticultural history is rooted in this region that it has been dubbed “the cradle of horticulture.” Today, Philadelphia has earned its place as ‘America’s Garden Capital’ with a surplus of public gardens offering a wide variety of horticultural display, and events, all year long.
Andalusia is a Partner Garden of the Royal Horticultural Society
Andalusia is proud to announce that we have been named a Partner Garden by the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society, making it the only Partner Garden in the United States.
There are 220 RHS Partner Gardens internationally. Public gardens can apply to become an RHS Partner Garden, and RHS approves only a select few through a rigorous yearlong process.
The criteria to be selected includes showcasing “horticultural excellence,” with high standards in design, planting, and maintenance. Only nine new Partner Gardens were chosen for 2024.
BOARD & STAFF
The mission of the Andalusia Foundation is to preserve, maintain and interpret Andalusia Historic House, Gardens, and Arboretum, a National Historic Landmark, and its collections, outbuildings and grounds.
Board of Directors
- President: James C. Biddle
- Vice Chairman: Richard W. Snowden
- Treasurer: Donald R. Caldwell
- Secretary: Amy Coes
Board of Trustees
- Edward E. Biddle
- James C. Biddle
- John C. Biddle
- Kristin C. Biddle
- Willing L. Biddle
- Donald R. Caldwell
- Amy M. Coes
- Melissa B. Epperly
- Alexandra A. Kirtley
- Wendy McDevitt
- William F. McLaughlin Jr.
- Albert B. Murphy, III
- Gretchen E. Roede
- Andrew C. Rose
- June Marshall Smith
- Richard Wood Snowden
- Laura S. Thayer
- Peter Tucci
- Katharine H. Norris (Emeritus)
- James A. Scott (Emeritus)
Staff
- Executive Director: John Vick
- Business Manager: Janna Winans
- Development & Membership Manager: Adrianna de Svastich
- Head Gardener: William Fuchs
- Senior Groundskeeper: James Harper
- Groundskeeper: Eddie Shepeski
- Rosarian: Heather Schmidt
- Research Assistant: Brie Stoltzfus
- Housekeeping: Rosemarie Mendoza
- House Guides: Debbie Schmidt (Head Guide), Richard Brady, Debbie Klak, Mary LeGierse, MaryJean McCauley, Lisa Panzer, Heather Schmidt, Bert Wolfe
Press
In this richly illustrated article from House & Garden, Christopher Jordan details the new gardens and many plants added to Andalusia by acclaimed landscape designer Lady Arabella Lennox-Boyd
The Social Register Observer interviewed Andalusia Trustees Jamie and Kristin Biddle for a story on the fascinating past and promising future of the historic house and gardens.
6ABC’s FYI Philly visited for Earth Day, praising Andalusia’s “mansion tours, lush gardens, and unmatched views of the Delaware River.”
Mike Jerrick from Fox29 interviewed Executive Director John Vick and Senior Horticulturist Jenna Bachman about the history of the mansion and the blooming gardens.
The Bucks County Herald shared the news in 2024 of Andalusia being named the only a Partner Garden of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the only one in the United States.
The Magazine Antiques featured Owen Biddle Jr.’s 1806 The Young Carpenter’s Assistant, a rare first edition architecture manual in Andalusia’s collection, in an article by Benjamin Davidson and Pippa Biddle.
NPR’s Planet Money: The Economy Explained with Jacob Goldstein featured the “showdown” between Nicholas Biddle and Andrew Jackson. The segment was based in part on an interview with author Cordelia Frances Biddle, great-great-great-granddaughter of Nicholas Biddle.
Featured in Bucks County Magazine, Lori Rose gives readers a glimpse into the impressive history of the Andalusia gardens.
Resources
- America’s Garden Capital
- Bucks Country Official Tourism Guide
- Philadelphia Visitors Guide
- Pennsylvania Visitors Guide
- Historical Society of Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts: PAFA
- Garden Club of America
- Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
- The Garden Club of Philadelphia
- Royal Horticultural Society
JAMES BIDDLE AWARD
Every year the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia presents the Preservation Achievement Awards to individuals, organizations, businesses and projects from throughout the region that exemplify outstanding achievement in the field of historic preservation. The Awards include Grand Jury Awards to specific projects and Special Recognition Awards to individuals and organizations whose extraordinary accomplishments in preservation contribute to the region’s unique character and sense of place.
The Alliance has presented more than 200 Grand Jury Awards and almost 100 Special Recognition Awards in the 20 year history of the Awards program. The most significant of the Special Recognition awards is the James Biddle Award, recognizing lifetime achievement in historic preservation. Named after past Alliance President Jimmy Biddle (1929-2005), who also served as President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, recipients include Barbara and Henry Jordan, Henry Magaziner, Penelope Hartshorne Batchelor, Roger Moss, Richard Moe, retired Alliance Executive Director John Gallery, Lyle L. Rosenberger, and Janet S. Klein.
