Twilight in the Garden





Photographs of previous Twilight in the Gardens courtesy Conrad Erb Photography (Photos 1 & 2); Noise Soul Cinema (Photos 3, 4 & 6); and Wright Eye Photography (Photo 5).
A joyous evening under the stars
Friday, October 3, 2025
Twilight in the Garden is the annual gala to benefit Bartram’s Garden and the year’s largest fundraiser. Join us to celebrate this beloved public space and ensure its continued growth.
Expect a festive night of great company, an unparalleled setting, and deep gratitude as we gather in honor of this legendary landscape. You and your guests will enjoy:
- A magical choose-your-own adventure evening, with options for everything from sunset garden tours to cozy riverfront fire pits
- Silent auction featuring travel, artwork, private experiences, and more!
- Autumnal cocktails and seasonal treats
A portion of the ticket price is tax-deductible. All proceeds from Twilight in the Garden support Bartram’s Garden, a public park welcoming more than 125,000 visitors annually.
2024 Honorary Event Co-chairs
Ivy Berry, Southwest Tree Coalition Co-Founder
Chanticleer
Greater Philadelphia Health Action
Haverford Trust Company
Robert Katz, Managing Director, Eisner Advisory Group LLC
Laurel Hill
Charles Lomax, President and CEO, Lomax Real Estate
Longwood Gardens
Kathryn Ott Lovell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation
Sharon Neilson, NESTT Project Manager & Support Staff, Greater Philadelphia Health Action
William F. Ryan and Dr. Joan T. Richtsmeier
Phil and Jocelyn Scribano
University of Pennsylvania
Regina G. Young, State Representative in the PA State Assembly, 185th District
Many Thanks to Our 2024 Sponsors!
We gratefully acknowledge the following leadership support for the 2024 event:
Presenting Sponsor
Laurel Hill
Steward
Chanticleer
Greater Philadelphia Health Action, Inc.
William F. Ryan and Dr. Joan T. Richtsmeier
Collector
Haverford Trust Company
Longwood Gardens
Phil and Jocelyn Scribano
University of Pennsylvania
Botanist
Robert Allen
Bellevue Strategies
The Bellwether District
Paul Buttner and Larry Scharf
Crescent Designed Metals
DIGSAU
Kathleen Grady
Ann and Steven Hutton
The Lomax Companies
Jane G. Pepper
Philadelphia Housing Authority
Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation
Stephanie and Bill Stabert
Eric and Susan Swanson
The Tuttleman Family Foundation
Urban Engineers
WRT
With special thanks to Jamie Hollander Gourmet Foods & Catering, Kennedy Printing, John & Kira’s Chocolates, and Philly Wedding Light for their generous support of Twilight in the Garden.
List current as of October 2.
Previous Honorees
Twilight in the Garden has previously honored the following pillars of Philadelphia green space:
- Nancy A. Goldenberg, President and CEO of Laurel Hill
- Greater Philadelphia Health Action and Woodland Academy
- Ivy Berry, co-founder of the Southwest Tree Coalition
- Edward M. D’Alba, former President and CEO of Urban Engineers
- Michael DiBerardinis and Joan Reilly, civic leaders and green space advocates
- City Councilmember Jamie R. Gauthier, 3rd District
- Terrence L. Gore, artist
- The Lomax Family Foundation, dedicated to the health and wellness of African-American communities
- Kathryn Ott Lovell, former Commissioner of the Philadelphia Department of Parks & Recreation
- State Representative Joanna E. McClinton
- Elizabeth P. McLean, garden historian
- Paul W. Meyer, former F. Otto Haas Executive Director of the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
- Mural Arts Philadelphia
- Michael Nutter, former Mayor of Philadelphia
- Jane G. Pepper, former President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
- Paul B. Redman, President and CEO of Longwood Gardens
- The Richard Allen Preparatory Charter School
- The Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram’s Garden
- Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05)
- Virginia Smith, green space advocate and Philadelphia Inquirer writer
- Sidney B. Spahr, civic leader and horticulturist
- James B. Straw, civic leader
- Bill Thomas, Executive Director of Chanticleer
- State Senator Anthony H. Williams
You may also be interested in:

Mark Your Calendar
Twilight in the Garden is the first Friday in October.
2026: Friday, October 2
2027: Friday, October 1

Support Bartram’s Garden
Your tax-deductible donation keeps us growing.