Viewshed Restoration
View from Lemon Hill circa 1880. Photo courtesy Philadelphia Parks and Recreation
In 2007, Lemon Hill received a spring revamping via the Lemon Hill Viewshed Restoration Project. Over the years, overgrown trees and shrubs had obscured the magnificent view of Lemon Hill Mansion from Kelly Drive, Boat House row, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. In addition to blocking the view, dead trees made the area surrounding Lemon Hill less safe for visitors wishing to spend leisure time on the historic grounds.
Using documentary evidence from early nineteenth century paintings of Lemon Hill and later photography, as well as a 1987 study of the grounds by Owen Tasker Robinson, the Fairmount Park Conservancy removed trees that obstructed the view or posed a danger to visitors. FPC also restored the two sets of stone stairs leading from Kelly and Edgeley Drives to the mansion.
The project was accomplished with the assistance of the Colonial Dames of America, Chapter II, and funding from the late H. F. “Gerry” Lenfest.
