THE liOTAXISTS OF PHILADELPHIA. 75 



but lias not yet taken possession of, land adjoinins; on tl,e 

 north, and it has shortly acquired more of tlie Eastwick 

 property adjoining- on the south. 



The first step toward reehiiming the gardens was taken 

 October 18, 1S05, when Chief Eisenhower, Professor Mac- 

 farlane, of the University of Pennsylvania, John F Lewis 

 Forester of Fairmount Park, Talcott Williams and Eugene 

 Elhcott visited the historic spot with an eve to restorin<r it 

 As a result of the visit Cliief Eisenhower called on Provost 

 Harrison, of the University, and secured from Mr. Harrison 

 the promise of co-operation. The work of cleaning up the 

 place was begun under the supervision of Dr. Macfarlane, 

 of the University, who did much toward improving the' 

 place. 



Early in April, 1S96, a Committee of Citv Councils 

 reported favorably a bill to take the Eastwick tract adjoin- 

 ing Bartram Park, as an addition to the Park. The only 

 other historical fiict of interest in connection with this 

 historic place that need be mentioned in closing this account 

 IS the fire which occurred May 29, 1896. 



" The uppermost floor and most of the roof of the East- 

 wick Mansion, which is just south of Bartram's Garden, on 

 the Eastwick property, that Councils have just decided to 

 purchase for tlie city, were destroyed. The damage is esti- 

 mated at 112,000, which is covered by insurance.* 



"The mansion is a commodious three-storv structure, 

 containing about thirty-five rooms. There were three 

 femilies residing in the house, presumably as caretakers of 

 the place. 



"Tli e alarm was sent in at 8.52 o'clock, but before tlie 



* Public Ledger, .May SO, 1896. 



