Friday, May 7, 2010

Whatever happened to Swiss Pines?

(The picture at right is from 1976).
A private gardens open to the public and managed by a little old lady doesn't sound like something that would last, but I wish it had. When I was about 6, I recall visiting Swiss Pines near Phoenixville. I remember a winding road with trees on both sides. Then a pulloff and a Japanese gate across the road.
There were paths lined by bamboo that led to little private gardens with koi and or rocks and tea houses.
I also remember a mansion on a hill with azaleas and rhododendrons all around it. There was only one lone gardener in the midst of it all.
The last time I visited Swiss Pines, I was about 14, and it seemed a little run down, but still there. Still open to the public, and by the looks of the clientele, still loved by the upper classes.
Today my boyfriend and I decided to find Swiss Pines. I didn't really know where it was when I was younger, but when I asked my father, he pulled an old, yellowing pamphlet out of the drawer that had a crude map from a time when the Phoenixville area was less developed.
It gave me a general idea of where it was and after googleing it I found a few references. The most recent was this entry on an unofficial Charlestown Web site.
It was last updated in 2003, but I believe the picture may be much older. There are too many trees, even in spring, throwing shadows on the gate for it to be new.
Swiss Pines is on Charlestown Road, known as Route 113. You drive past Valley Forge Christian College and Cat-Pickering, the Chester County/Phoenixville area technical school where I learned how to ride a motorcycle. We drove (I on my scooter, Ed on his motobike) and the road became more rural and windy, but the traffic certainly didn't slow down. After some harrowing turns at the tops of hills I saw the old pull off to the right of me (heading south) but didn't have time to stop for fear of a truck slamming into the back of me. (That section of 113 REALLY shouldn't have trucks on it).
After a quick, and rather deadly, turnaround and an attempt to go back, I realized it was shut down. The gate was locked up and there was a rope across the old parking lot. I didn't have a chance to stop, but my boyfriend saw it in time to pull off and said there were signs everywhere saying "No Trespassing" and "Area under surveillance."
From what I could see through the fence as I drove by was an overgrown area with smashed pots and toppled statues. It was sad.
The bamboo was still growing profusely along the fence, shielding any more of a view. I stopped at the Charlestown General Store (an old empty, but well-kept building a short ways down the road) and wondered what would become of it.
Ed said there was a row of mailboxes outside, as if the place now housed tenants. Is that what has become of the old mansion? Has it been broken up into apartments with the gardens left to become overgrown? It was very sad. What will happen to Swiss Pines?

It was originally created and developed by Arnold Bartschi, who is credited with saving Charlestown Township and working with the French and Pickering Creek Conservation Trust to preserve the natural area. Swiss Pines was built upon the old Llewelyn Estates.
Bartschi also preserved that still beautiful general store as well as a 55-acre farm on the same road.
With all that still in good shape, it would be a shame to see a gem such as Swiss Pines be lost.
I began looking for anything else about this garden and found pictures on a flickr account from 2008. So I'm not sure what to make of it.

39 comments:

Anonymous said...

I pass this every day and as a Delco native, I never knew what it was or is. Can you find it on Google Maps?

Scooter Kitten said...

Yes, you can. If you search for it using google earth you can find it on Charlestown Road. It is right next to the Great Valley Nature Center.

I was going to stop there and see what they knew since both were founded by the same man.

visualgirl said...

Swiss Pines is still open and operating and while it's rough around the edges, it is a peaceful and beautiful place still. Open Wed through Saturday, 10 - 3 ish. Donations gladly accepted. They won't be open if it is wet because the trails are slippery but please try and visit on a nice day. It's an amazing place and Carl does his best to keep up. He loves a nice chat and will tell you stories all day long if you let him. Please don't bring in food, drink or any other trash - just walk and enjoy.

Sally said...

May 03, 2013

Bravo on pictures and info on Swiss Pines.

When I found your pictures and information about Swiss Pines I felt like I found an old friend. So many times we drive by Swiss Pines, when we ride by I try peeking between the bamboo to catch a glimpse of the garden and imagine walking through the garden.
I find it absolutely mesmerizing.
It would be wonderful if someone, like the township or independent person would begin a campaign to bring Swiss Pines back to life.

Thank you for the info and pictures of Swiss Pines. Made my day.



Lisa said...

My sister just mentioned Swiss Pines to me. We grew up very close to the gardens and enjoyed visiting often as children and teenagers. But even in the late '70s and early '80s it was starting to look messy and overgrown.

I always wondered about the history of the park and mansion. I would love to see gardens restored to their former glory. Thank you for sharing!!

P.S. You are so right, Rt 113 is not for the faint of heart and that pull-off comes up on you in a hurry!! We used to have to drive Charlestown Road and Rt. 29 in Drivers Education. :)

just maryann said...

Hello,
My grandfather, Carl, and his girlfriend, Henriette, are the groundskeepers and owners of Swiss Pines. They took it over after Mr. Bartschi passed away in the 90's.

For the past few years, Swiss Pines has been closed and will remain closed until someone is able to take over as both my grandfather and his companion are well into their 70's.

I remain hopeful that this beautiful and unique place will be reopen in the near future so the public can enjoy its beauty once again.

I am thankful that I have seen this place in it's glory and still have the chance to see it every time I visit my grandfather.

Unknown said...

My son started attending Valley Forge Christian College this fall. When we drove by the bamboo, I wondered what was there...it had to be something. I always forget to check it out when I get home (4 hour drive). It took me a while, but I found this blog! I noticed that the parking lot now has a log or something blocking it. I would LOVE to have seen the garden in its glory. There are hours posted on the gate, but now I see that it is closed to the public. We were planning on going down to visit my son some weekend and was planning on stopping, but I guess that won't be happening. Sad that this world is so hurried that something like this just falls by the wayside. I hope someday that it will reopen and my family can visit.

Annemarie said...

visited it in Autumn once many years ago.Took a swimm in the heated pool and visited the home of Arnold Baertschi.Remember the 4 bears he had in the edges of the livingroom,the Swiss flags and that we went to watch all his 40 stallions.Great time&memories

Unknown said...

Do you know what they are looking for to take over the property? I would hate to see such an amazing place disappear.

Janet Shindle said...

The "manager" Henriette Bumeder likes things just as they are. My father, Carl Shindle , lives with Henriette for 30+ years. He built the gardens for Mr. Bartschi in the early 60's. Before his death Mr. Bartschi left Henriette in charge of the property. My father maintained things as best as he could for one man. He would like to see it restored to what it was, as would myself and my sister Denise. As of now Henriette doesn't want to be bothered. She has been battling cancer for the last 4 years and hasn't any interest. My father has been constantly struggling with break ins, vandalism by local teenagers, trash being dumped in the parking lot. That's why he closed it off with a big post. We got tired if cleaning up trash every week. When the time comes we will do our best to bring back all the properties to what they were. And the public will be able to see this beautiful place again.

Anonymous said...

I live really close to this place, and I have often wondered about it. I find it quite interesting and would love to see it up and running again.

Anonymous said...

I worked at Swiss Pines for years. I'am sorry to hear Henriette is not well. I hope that there is a future for the property to continue as it was.

Anonymous said...

Janet, I'm so sorry. This must break your fathers heart. If I didn't live 1 1/2 hours away, I'd volunteer to help him if he'd have me.

Anonymous said...

I went there for a class trip in the 60's and returned around 2009, I am so sad to see its closed, I have friends I would want to recommend visiting here. Maybe a garden club or school horticulture group count take it on as a project

joe Lopchinsky said...

I had done many watercolors of this jewel of a place. I had tried to visit a few years back and found it closed up and overgrown. What a shame. I will try to find my collection of 35MM slides of the place I took in the late 70's.
Joe Lopchinsky
Aston,PA

Anonymous said...

My Name is Scott Travaline. In 1983-84 I headed a restoration program at the gardens for Arnold Bartschi.We became close friends.My other friends were Mansion house Caretaker
Anna Kimmage, her daughter Patty, Cristman his Mr.Fixit,Johanna Reed-had the herb garden.She
was president of the National Herb Society. The national Rhododendron Society- Charles
Herbert,Loyd Paetain, Clarence Rahns, Mrs Rhans, William steel all maintaned the Glendale
rhododendrons. I pocess a degree in Temple Class of 1983.I was taught how all the water
features wtork. I wheel barrowed stone, for paths, restored both the hill and pond gardens,
and the large Tea. Perhaps Carl & Hennrietta would like to forget me. I say any anomosity aside.Arnold let me drive his 1959 turquoise Corvette.For almost 2 years--- well the feeling
cant be put to words..For I have the Knowledge and Fortitude to Restore.Any misunderstanding
between myself and perhaps Hennreitta, should not exist. I will if asked restore Swiss Pines!

Anonymous said...

My name is Linda Kellc. I visited Swiss Pines in 2005. What a special magical place. I was inspired by some of the intricate bamboo fencing to make a small fence at my home. It would be wonderful if somehow Swiss Pines came back to life. There are many people who would volunteer and people who would form "Friends of Swiss Pines" to revive it.

Steven Mehl mehlsteven@gmail.com said...

Hello Joe, I am trying to learn more about this place and the way it looked in the 70's. I would love to see these fotos

Unknown said...

I have the most wonderful memories of visiting Swiss Pines in the 70s and 80s. It was so tranquil! I would love to take my daughter there, but I guess it is still closed. Any word on a possible reopening? Is there any way the public can help this amazing place come back to life?

Maryann said...

On June 2, 2016,Carl Shindle, long time resident of Swiss Pines and groundskeeper passed away unexpectedly. The owner, Henriette, has been battling cancer for the past 6 years and with illness and their older age both Carl and Henriette decided to close Swiss Pines to the public until they were better equipped to manage the place., had to close Swiss Pines to the public. My grandfather, Carl, was one of the main builders/designers of this very special place and dedicated the last 50 years of his life to this place. Many of you have expressed interest in trying to bring this place back to life and I could not think of a better way to honor his life than to start a donation page. Please check the link below:

https://gofundme.com/27zzns4

Kritz said...

My mom, Louise was a frequent visitor to Swiss Pines since she and Patty were good friends and rode to school together almost every day. Its where my husband and I went to take our engagement photos and where we were married in 1986. And where we fought the barn fire during the fair. Its sad what has become of the place and the fact we are unable to show our daughter where we married. I am sorry to hear of Henriettas illness and the passing of your grandfather the caretaker. Hopefully a conservation group will help to bring this peaceful place back to life.

Kritz said...

My mom, Louise was a frequent visitor to Swiss Pines since she and Patty were good friends and rode to school together almost every day. Its where my husband and I went to take our engagement photos and where we were married in 1986. And where we fought the barn fire during the fair. Its sad what has become of the place and the fact we are unable to show our daughter where we married. I am sorry to hear of Henriettas illness and the passing of your grandfather the caretaker. Hopefully a conservation group will help to bring this peaceful place back to life.

Anonymous said...

I have driven past this garden since I was a little girl riding in my mom's car on the way to school. It was always like a mysterious secret garden to me and I used to try and take sneak peeks through the bamboo on our way past. I now drive my daughter past and think about what natural treasures are growing over behind the bamboo. I wish I had visited back in the day, and I think that there has got to be some sort of partnership that could be made with Longwood Gardens, Tyler Arboretum, Great Valley Nature Center and/or a local Japanese cultural group to help bring this place back to life.
I am sorry for the loss of your grandfather. I truly hope his memory will be honored with the Swiss Pines restoration.

Unknown said...

In the early 60's , my grandparents sold their house just down the road from Swiss Pines and rented a house from Mr. Bartschi on Swiss Lane. I spent my summers with them and practically lived at Swiss Pines. I would spend my days visiting and reading in one of the most beautiful settings I've known.
My husband and I were married there in June 1982. As soon as our son was old enough, we took him there to experience the place. I took all my friends there too. It's such a shame to see it now when I go by to go fly fishing down the road. I hope someone can bring it back to its former glory days. Now, all I have of it is some pictures and a blurb in a book, "Gardens of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley. "

The Rev'd Canon Dr, Mark Gatza said...

Without knowing any of this history, I tried to pay a visit a couple of days ago. I am a 1973 graduate of nearby Great Valley High School, and an afternoon walk through Swiss Pines was a very classy date. It inspired in me a love of formal gardens that I have retained since, visiting quite a number as I have traveled around the country. So it just about broke my heart to see, not only that it was closed, but that it looked so broken down. I drove back and forth several times peering in through holes in the fences. Sigh! I would love to contribute (to the extent that I can) to any restoration effort.

Unknown said...

Hello, this park sounds like an amazing gem. was the gofundme page successful- was money raised for this lovely park?

Unknown said...

Has anyone actually been thru it since it’s closed? I would love to go explore it..

Anonymous said...

This is for Janet Shindle. First so sorry to hear of your fathers passing. I grew up in Malvern and remember driving by this place many many times but never got the chance to see it.
i have heard rumers that there is a old missile site located on the property do you know if this is true ? Plus is there any way i could get permission to view the property as i would even volunteer to help clean up. TY Dave Wor3202aol.com

Anonymous said...

sorry wrong email address posted should be Wor320@aol.com Dave

Erich DeHaven said...

Does anyone here have a clue who actually designed and spent ten years building this garden? It sounds as though some people have taken credit for a design that originated in the mind of master gardener Seito from Tokyo, who took 2 years to plan and design the 10 acre garden and after becoming infirmed at 72 and unable to continue with the construction of the project brought in Hiroshi Makita, a Master Zen Gardener, who then spent ten years completing Seito's vision. Only after the completion of the project, Mr. Bartchi claimed to the public and horticultural community that he designed and built the gardens, a dishonorable affront to Makita after spending so much time and personal effort to bring his mentor's vision into being.
If you were around in the 60s and 70s watching this garden being built, please come forward and set the story straight for the sake of honoring those whose hands made this.

Erich DeHaven said...

All due respect to any and everyone who had been a part of this extraordinary landmark of elegant design- be they owner, landscaper, horticulturist, lover of gardens, or someone hoping to see it restored to it's former splendor.

Bombadil said...

I worked at Swiss Pines for many years. Blood,sweat and tears. Just learned of Henriette's passing. Wondering what will become of it. So worth saving in any condition. It can be brought back. I would hate to see it turned into a development.

Unknown said...

In response to Erich DeHaven, I visited Swiss Pines once in about 1973-74, and I remember it being run by a Japanese master gardener. (Making the name "Swiss Pines" strike me as odd!) I remember the amazing bamboo forest, and the gardener describing the challenge of navigating through it (very slowly!) with a horizontal bamboo pole, and not much else, and have always wanted to visit again. I finally decided to google it, and am saddened to hear it has fallen on hard times.

Anonymous said...

I've lived in the area for about a year, and every time I've driven by wondered about the mysterious bamboo-shrouded gardens. Just today I finally remembered to research it and am deeply saddened to find out the story and state it's in. Does anyone know who owns the property so I could contact them to explore and photograph the site?

Unknown said...

Hello,my name is Scott Tarzwell.
I have a lttle history to add.
I love to read about the past,what was, and what is today. Today 03/23/2021.
My oldest son, and I were driving up to the outlets in Pottstown. My son, is an avid car enthusiast.
My son is a big fan of Jaguar.
My family came to this country in 1950, from Riga,Latvia.
Back to Jguar. Always talking, about cars in general.It was a reminder of a typical cruise with my step-dad when I was kid. Jaguar being our topic, I love to talk a about old times, memories,often times I'll get all nostalgic.
Lol. In my head pops a childhood memory,like It was yesterday! I bring up one time, I had the pleasure of taking a ride in a twelve cylinder Jaguar.
With whom? Mr.Bartschi
Wow moment!
Back in the 60's,70's,not to sure past the late 70's.
My Grandmom,(Vilma Krievins) worked for Mr.Bartschi,I believe after his wife's passing.
Often my Grandmom would bring my sister,and I to his residence.We would ask if we could help her.or just do what kids did, play.
Even now I'm close to 60.
If I don't know how to do something, I asked questions, watched,and learned. Grandmom worked hard, she instilled very good work ethics in us kids. I remember your dad (Mr. Shindle) well. I'd follow him everywhere asking to help.
Mr.Shindle, showed how to plant scrubs, about annuals,perenials,icludeding transplanting Pachysandras. Often reminding me to be careful.
They cost 25 cent each!!
Just out of curiosity I Googled "Arnold Bartschi".
Always ask where's Mr.Bartschi. My Grandmom say at "Swiss Pines".
I never asked where, or what Swiss Pines was.
Today I have my answer.
Very cool.
Any memories too share.
Please do. Thank you
Im so happy! My Grandmom was special.I miss her.






ralb said...

Yes I wish the gardens would open or we could know what will become of property….

Unknown said...

It isn't on rt113 it's on rt29 Charlestown Rd

Anonymous said...

I live close to Swiss pines. I had the pleasure of visiting only twice- in early 00’s but it was a true gem, nonetheless. I would love to volunteer to help bring it back to life! Does anyone know what became of the property?

Anonymous said...

Here's the website for the latest work going on at Swiss Pines to bring it back to its former glory. Loaded with information, including info on volunteering in this effort.
https://swisspines.com/