The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania

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The Summer Palace

Farewell to The Summer Palace
It has been a wonderful run for Patrick Dougherty’s Summer Palace, a 25-foot structure created entirely of sticks, which was constructed in April of 2009 with the help of Arboretum staff and volunteers.

Patrick Dougherty’s structures are all intended to be ephemeral which is part of their whimsical charm. Patrick typically predicts one good year outdoors in the garden, and depending on weather conditions, a possible second.

Our Summer Palace has graced the Madeleine Butcher Sculpture Garden for almost 2 years, but has finally succumbed to nature’s forces. Due to safety concerns, the Summer Palace was dismantled. We bid The Summer Palace a fond adieu.