Morris Arboretum Interns

A huge thank you to Hagley Museum and Library in Wilmington, Delaware for taking us through their mid-restoration gardens!

Hagley was founded as the home and site of E.I. du Pont’s gunpowder works in 1802. The home still stands and is open to the public for tours, but the gardens were abandoned for many years. Garden Director, Paul Orpello, and his team are working hard to restore the gardens and make them safe for visitors.

Click through for more details on our visit to Hagley!

Monthly Intern Spotlight:
Meet Education Intern, Alessandra Rella!

Alessandra is from Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Franklin and Marshall College, where she majored in anthropology and environmental studies.

Fun fact about Alessandra: Alessandra spent nine months working on organic farms across Italy, England, and France!

Favorite part of the internship so far? I have just really loved working across different departments at the Arboretum and with so many lovely and talented people. I have learned so much!

Favorite spot in the Arboretum? The little secret path in the Rose Garden, near Lydia’s Seat. I remember the first time I discovered it and I just sat back there for a while to admire how the sun was shining through all the leaves. It felt magical.

What is your favorite tree? Ginkgo! Their funky bark and unique leaves always make me smile.

Any plans for the future? At the end of June, I will start working at the Aspen Grove School, which is an environmentally focused preschool in South Philly. I hope to make my way back to working in a public garden one day, though!