Welcome to Tyler Gardens

Tyler Formal Gardens were constructed in the early 1930s by Charles Willing of architectural firm Willing, Sims and Talbutt to provide a formal landscape setting for George F. and Stella Elkins Tyler's magnificent home, and to accommodate the large social gatherings that the couple enjoyed hosting.

The gardens, positioned on an acre of land, were greatly influenced by French and Italian gardens, and clearly demonstrated characteristics that were common in formal gardens in the Philadelphia area at that time. Architectural plans and photos from the 1930s show four terraces that included gravel walks, fountains, sculptures, staircases, parterres, planting spaces, swimming pool, and tennis courts.

An avid gardener, Stella Tyler introduced countless varieties of flora to her personal horticultural laboratory. And as an accomplished artist, she frequently exhibited examples of her sculptures throughout the gardens, several of which continue to be displayed. In addition to stunning bronze statuary, Tyler Formal Gardens offers dramatic stone walls and staircases that serve as the “bones” of the gardens.