While the paintings have departed to the Barnes Foundation’s new home on the Parkway in Philadelphia, the Arboretum and horticultural events and classes are still significant drawing cards at the original Barnes Campus, 300 North Latch’s Lane in Merion, PA. The site features a 12-acre arboretum surrounding the Paul Philippe Cret designed home and former gallery.
In 1880, Joseph Lapsley Wilson, a Civil War veteran and railroad executive, purchased land in the Philadelphia suburb of Merion. Over the next 40 years, Mr. Wilson planted more than 200 specimen trees on the grounds of the property. When Dr. Barnes and his wife, Laura, purchased the land in 1922 for the purpose of building the Barnes Foundation, Wilson stayed on to assist with the development of an arboretum. Following Wilson’s death, Laura Barnes assumed the directorship, adding thousands of rare plant specimens to the Foundation’s living collection.
The arboretum, which may easily be walked in a single visit, is astonishingly large and diverse for the size of the property. Here visitors discover 3,000 unusual species of woody plants, including 31state champion trees. Other collections include roses, peonies, hostas, medicinal plants, and over 200 hardy ferns. Composed of her favorite types of plants, the collection was assembled by Mrs. Barnes specifically for teaching purposes. A herbarium of more than 10,000 specimens complements the collection and is available to the Foundation’s horticulture students and other scholars by appointment.
Although the arboretum does not open for the season until Friday, May 1, 2015, during January – March, the Foundation’s Merion Campus will be offering a number of horticultural classes, including garden designing, weed science, and gardening for beginners. In addition, on several occasions, my wife and her sister-in-law have attended morning workshops in which they constructed Christmas wreaths and built miniature bogs replete with carnivorous plants.
For a complete list and description of winter workshops, go to www.barnesfoundation.org, and then click on education, horticulture, and workshops & lectures.
If horticultural pursuits have awakened your appetite, I would recommend lunch at the New Tavern Restaurant, 261 Montgomery Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, PA, just a few blocks away from the Arboretum.
The Tavern, in various incarnations, has been serving patrons since 1933. And if you happen to take a gander in the restrooms, the plumbing appears to be from the same era as well… But don’t let that put you off, as both the dining area and bar/lounge have been nicely restored. The atmosphere is casually upscale, welcoming, and decidedly comfortable… And along the highly trafficked Montgomery Avenue, you will find the spacious parking lot to the rear of the restaurant quite welcoming as well.
The food could best be described as American comfort fare with Greek subtitles. It isn’t about to set any new culinary standards, but it is generally well prepared, nicely presented, and quite satisfying. The restaurant also presents a decent wine list and an interesting array of specialty cocktails.
The turkey club, for example, is a first-rate version of the American classic… The turkey is freshly roasted in-house, the bacon crisp, the lettuce crunchy, the tomatoes red & juicy, and the white bread properly toasted and generously slathered with mayo. For a variation on the theme, you might also consider the hot turkey platter with homemade stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy.
Two other sandwich favorites include the tuna melt and the hot Reuben (pictured). The former is served open faced on grilled whole wheat bread and topped with a slice of tomato and melted American cheese. The Reuben, also presented open faced, is especially recommended. Lusciously lean corned beef is pillowed on grilled rye bread, embellished with coleslaw and generous apportionment of Russian dressing, and topped with melted Swiss cheese… Simple but mouth-wateringly sublime.
Luncheon entrée possibilities include dishes like veal Florentine, sautéed chicken Marsala, broiled filet of flounder, grilled salmon, and tortellini Alfredo. On the other hand, if you happen to be in the mood for an omelet, you might give the Greek version (pictured) a try. Light and fluffy, it comes replete with fresh chopped spinach and crumbled feta cheese.
The New Tavern Restaurant offers diners a relaxed and enjoyable dining experience. And while I wouldn’t suggest that you go out of your way to embark on a special pilgrimage, if you happen to be in the area, either at the Barnes Merion Campus or attending to other business/social commitments, a visit to this friendly establishment will certainly make an exceedingly pleasant luncheon diversion.
Bon Appétit!
TAD
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