Bowmans Hill Wildflower Preserve Association, New Hope, PA 18938

At a chance meeting in a wooded area on state park land in Bucks County, two conservation-minded people struck up a conversation, sharing their mutual appreciation for the peaceful, natural setting that surrounded them. It was autumn, and richly colored wildflowers shone against a backdrop of trees cloaked in brilliant fall hues. Inspired by the quiet beauty of the woods and the tranquil creek flowing nearby, they imagined a sanctuary for Pennsylvania native plants with nature trails winding through wildflower plantings, a place where visitors could enjoy this natural splendor year-round. Both firmly believed that this area was far too beautiful to be turned into the ordinary picnic grounds proposed for the site. These two visionary individuals were Mrs. Mary K. Parry, then the Chairman of the Bucks County Federation of Women's Clubs and Mr. W. Wilson Heinitsh, employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Forest and Waters as a consultant for Washington Crossing Historic Park, the parkland
where Mrs. Parry and Mr. Heinitsh met. As the saying goes, Mrs. Parry and Mr. Heinitsh didn't let any grass grow under their feet (unless perhaps it was a Pennsylvania native!). They rallied support for their vision from The Federation of Garden Clubs of Pennsylvania, Mr. W.E. Montgomery of the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters, and the Council for the Preservation of Natural Beauty in Pennsylvania. BHWP was awarded the distinction of American Association of Museum (AAM) accreditation in 1989, and achieved successful reaccreditation in 2002. In the interim, enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers and the Board of Trustees continued to contribute. The staff grew in numbers, bringing a new complement of talents to the Preserve. Since its serendipitous beginnings in the minds and hearts of two wildflower enthusiasts, BHWP has emerged as a vibrant and dynamic institution. The Preserve remains flexible enough to meet changing needs but firmly focused on encouraging people to join us in the preservation of Pennsylvania native plants and a commitment to a healthy and diverse natural world.