18th Century Garden at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia

Four gardens are part of Independence National Historical Park. All are open from 9 AM to dusk year-round except for federal holidays. While they are outdoors, they are gated.

18TH CENTURY GARDEN

The 18th Century Garden is located on Walnut Street between 3rd and 4th streets next to the Dolley Todd House. There used to be a much larger garden on this spot from 1750 through 1783. The gardening style on display was popular prior to 1800.

18th Century Garden on Walnut Street at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia

ROSE GARDEN

Rose Garden at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia

The Rose Garden has two entrances, one on Walnut Street and one on Locust Street, both between 4^th and 5^th streets. The garden is a narrow strip of land sandwiched between two buildings located in the center of the block. It was donated in 1971 by the Daughters of the American Revolution to commemorate the signers of the Declaration of Independence. The National Park Service now maintains the garden. There are a few benches where you can sit and relax.

Bench at the Rose Garden on Walnut Street at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia

In addition to flowers, the garden is home to a section of a cobblestone street dating back to 1800.

Original cobblestone road from 1800 in the Rose Garden on Walnut Street at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia

MAGNOLIA GARDEN

Magnolia Garden on Locust Street at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia

The entrance to the Magnolia Garden is on Locust Street between 4^th and 5^th streets. It is directly across from the Rose Garden’s Locust Street entrance.

The Garden Club of America provided the funding for the Magnolia Garden in 1959. It is now maintained by the National Park Service. The idea for the garden stems from George Washington’s fondness for magnolias.

Dedication memorial of the Magnolia Garden on Locust Street at Independence National Historical Park

Benches where you can sit and relax are located along the various walkways in the garden.

Benches at the Magnolia Garden on Locust Street at Independence National Historical Park

BENJAMIN RUSH GARDEN

The Benjamin Rush Garden is located on the corner of 3rd and Walnut streets next to the Bishop White House. The garden marks the site of the former house of Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and Treasurer of the United States from 1797 to 1813. It is wheelchair accessible at its Walnut Street entrance.

Benjamin Rush Garden, part of Independence National Historical Park, at the corner of 3rd and Walnut streets in Philadelphia

The highlight of the garden is the Bicentennial Bell that was installed in 2024. This was a gift from England to the United States in 1976, and it was dedicated by Queen Elizabeth when she came to America for the July 4th celebrations (actual dedication was July 6, 1976). The bell was first installed in the tower of the old Visitor Center (which was new at the time) for Independence National Historical Park at 3rd and Chestnut streets and remained there until being placed in storage in 2013 prior to the building’s demolition. (The current Visitor Center opened in 2001.) An interesting fact is that the tower was built to hold the Liberty Bell, which at the time was on display at Independence Hall. However, due to the building’s modern design, the “powers that be” decided that it would be sacrilegious to place the bell there. Of course it is now in the super-modern Liberty Bell Center.

Bicentennial Bell in the Benjamin Rush Garden in Philadelphia, part of Independence National Historical Park

Back to the Top