Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Pennsylvania Kennett Square Cats of Longwood Gardens

Cats of Longwood Gardens

These lush botanical gardens employ the most purrfect pest control force.

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Added By
horticulturcat
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Jojo the cat and pumpkins.   kkmarais
Pest control, sleeping on the job.   Kathryn Yengel
Belin the cat sleeping at at Longwood.   Sheila in Moonducks
Iggy the feline in a paradise for both people and cats.   angela n.
Sarge the cat basking in the splendor of Longwood.   Kristine Paulus
Longwood cat June 2017   Kara Davis / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

In the conservatory at Longwood Gardens, you'll find a lush wonderland of tropical plants, succulents, ferns, orchids, and carnivorous plants. While there, you'll also likely meet some of the gardens' most beloved employees: its cats.

The cats at Longwood serve a dual purpose. They're both friendly feline ambassadors and a dutiful pest control force. About a dozen cats roam the grounds. They're all well-loved rescues who are more than happy to soak up attention from the staff and visitors.

This most purrfect feline pest control force roams the entire grounds. You'll likely spot some wandering through the conservatory, some napping on the sun-soaked pavement of the parking lot, and others purring loudly as they greet guests near the visitor center. 

The cats used to not wear collars, but they do now after an incident where a woman took a Longwood cat after mistakenly believing it was a stray. Thankfully, the cat was soon returned to its verdant home, where it rejoined its furry friends and fellow employees.

The cat, Belin, was one of the most beloved of all the Longwood cats. He was given the name of the founder's wife's maiden name. Many visitors knew him well, for he always could be stroked and petted. Some people actually thought he was the reincarnation of Longwood's founder, Pierre du Pont. Sadly, Belin passed away in 2015.

Related Tags

Gardens Cats Animals Plants

Community Contributors

Added By

horticulturcat

Edited By

Kerry Wolfe, Kara Davis

  • Kerry Wolfe
  • Kara Davis

Published

March 8, 2018

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://longwoodgardens.org/sustainability/integrated-pest-management/cats-longwood
  • https://chatsworthlady.com/2016/12/07/the-cats-of-longwood-gardens/
Cats of Longwood Gardens
1001 Longwood Rd
Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
United States
39.871189, -75.675154
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Longwood Gardens

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

miles away

​The Woodlands at Phillips Mushroom Farms

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

miles away

Christian Sanderson Museum

Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kennett Square

Kennett Square

Pennsylvania

Places 3
Stories 1

Nearby Places

Longwood Gardens

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

miles away

​The Woodlands at Phillips Mushroom Farms

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

miles away

Christian Sanderson Museum

Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kennett Square

Kennett Square

Pennsylvania

Places 3
Stories 1

Related Places

  • Flamingoweiher

    Mainz, Germany

    Stadtpark Mainz

    Along the banks of the River Rhine lies a park that seems unassuming, but beneath the surface lies a long and fascinating history.

  • A water dragon suns itself on a ledge

    Sydney, Australia

    Water Dragons of the Chinese Garden of Friendship

    Native Australian lizards inhabit this garden celebrating Sydney and its sister city in China.

  • Vale of Cashmere.

    Brooklyn, New York

    Vale of Cashmere

    This secluded ruin was once a home for exotic plants.

  • Butterfly garden.

    Mexico City, Mexico

    Mariposario Chapultepec (Chapultepec Butterfly Garden)

    You can release a young butterfly at this beautiful indoor garden.

  • A pair of male wallaby seen boxing while their companions doze nearby.

    Lower Beeding, England

    Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens

    This breathtakingly beautiful botanical garden is home to a mob of wonderful wallabies.

  • A Chinese water dragon at Kew Gardens.

    London, England

    Water Dragons of Kew Gardens

    These docile dragons are ideal inhabitants for the conservatory greenhouses.

  • Dead, or just pining?

    London, England

    'Monument for a Dead Parrot'

    The sculpture of the deceased cockatoo flops atop its personal plinth.

  • Parrots at the Montecasino Bird Gardens

    Fourways, South Africa

    Montecasino Bird Gardens

    Over 60 species of birds inhabit this colorful aviary park in South Africa.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.