Awbury Arboretum

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

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Awbury Arboretum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a 55-acre historic green space that was originally the summer estate of Quaker shipping merchant Henry Cope, purchased in 1852.

Designed in the English landscape garden tradition with input from landscape architect William Saunders, the grounds include rolling lawns, mature trees, wetlands, meadows, gardens, and woodlands that create a serene environment within the city’s Germantown neighborhood. The arboretum formally became a public park in 1916 and a nonprofit organization in 1984 to preserve and share both its natural beauty and cultural heritage.

It features Victorian and Colonial Revival houses associated with the Cope family, with the Francis Cope House serving as the visitor center and facility hub. The arboretum offers educational programs, community events, and nature experiences, emphasizing conservation and connection to history. It is free and open year-round, making it a beloved urban refuge combining horticulture, history, and community engagement.​