Welcome to Chanticleer
Within 30 minutes of Philadelphia, Chanticleer is one of the great gardens of the region. Once the Rosengarten estate, today's Chanticleer is a colorful, contemporary garden within an historic setting.
The Chanticleer Story
The Chanticleer estate dates from the early 20th-century, when land along the Main Line of the Pennsylvania Railroad was developed for summer homes to escape the heat of Philadelphia. Adolph Rosengarten, Sr., and his wife Christine chose the Wayne-St. Davids area to build their country retreat. The family's pharmaceutical firm would become part of Merck & Company in the 1920s.
The Rosengartens hired architect and former classmate Charles L. Borie to design the house, which was completed in 1913. Landscape architect Thomas Sears designed the terraces as extensions of the house. A 1924 addition converted the summer home into a year-round residence and the family moved here permanently.
Mr. Rosengarten's humor is evident in naming his home after the estate "Chanticlere" in Thackeray's 1855 novel The Newcomes. The fictional Chanticlere was "mortgaged up to the very castle windows" but "still the show of the county." Playing on the word, which is synonymous with "rooster," the Rosengartens used rooster motifs throughout the estate.
Adolph and Christine gave their two children homes as wedding presents. They purchased a neighboring property for son Adolph, Jr. and his bride Janet Newlin in 1933. It is now the site of the Ruin. Daughter Emily's house, located at today's visitor entrance, was built for her in 1935. It is presently used for offices and classrooms.
Adolph, Jr., bought his sister's portion of the estate following her death in the 1980s. He didn't move into the main house, but used it for entertaining and kept it as it was when the family lived there. The house is open for tours by reservation. Adolph, Jr., left the entire property for the enjoyment and education of the public following his death in 1990. A nine member Board of Directors, six of whom are Rosengarten relatives, oversees The Chanticleer Foundation. The garden opened to the public in 1993. There are 20 full-time staff, of whom two manage facilities and 14 are gardeners and groundskeepers.
Opening Times
Wednesday - Sunday
10am - 5pm
Friday Evenings
For the remainder of the 2019 Season the garden will be closed on Friday evenings. We will resume the Friday evening schedule in May of 2020.
End of Season
The garden will remain open until Sunday, November 3rd, 2019.
Early Openings in 2019
Chanticleer opens at 8:00 am on the first Saturday of each month:
October 5, and November 2.
Regular admission fees apply.
Limited Parking
Our parking lot holds 120 cars
and fills at peak times (weekends
and Friday evenings). Please carpool. Once we reach capacity, you’ll need to wait until we direct you to an open spot or return at a non-peak time.
News & Events
America’s Garden Capital Passport
Pick up your copy of the Passport when you visit Chanticleer and start collecting stamps and stickers at over 30 public gardens. Free while supplies last.
Learn More
Chanticleer In the News
High praise from
The New York Times,
Chicago Tribune, Garden Design,
St. Catharines Standard, and FlipKey by Trip Advisor.
Social Media
Friends
