The Elms was opened in 1901, but it took until 1914 to open the glorious gardens, including the Sunken Garden, pictured in this c. 1943 postcard from our archives. Julian Abele, architect Horace Trumbauer’s chief designer, had an important hand in designing the Sunken Garden as well as The Elms Carriage House and Stables, built between 1911 and 1914. Abele was the first black man to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania’s architecture program. He was hired by Trumbauer in 1906 and advanced to chief designer by 1909. Abele is credited with designing or contributing to the design of more than 200 buildings, among them the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia’s Free Library, Harvard’s Widener Memorial Library, and the campus of Duke University. See the Sunken Garden for yourself while the weather is still warm! The Elms, The Breakers and Green Animals Topiary Garden are open every day. Bring your picnic basket and enjoy the fresh air and scenery. Click the link in our bio...