Journal of Adolph G. Rosengarten, Jr. - December
December 1st
1955
- Tulips in Hardy Border planted today.
1957
- New dog run, S.W. of cutting garden finished.
1960
- A.G.R. JR. gave a sniff dinner at The Philadelphia Club. 27 present.
1969
- Gaston & Isabelle Arteuille terminated employment here as of 30th Nov.
1979
- Rainfall to date 51.1" : Excess above normal 14.5".
December 2nd
1953
- Vick's Wildgardens planted 100 Blood root on edges of vista & mertensia accross stream.
1962
- 180darwin tulips pink, lavender, planted in hardy border. Plan in file.
1975
- J.N.R. hostess Garden Club of Phila. at Chanticleer: about 50 attended.
December 3rd
1951
- Upper Bank Nurseries completed replanting area above hardy border. A wygelia moved, an abelia put in its place and a holly (penduculosa) planted.
1955
- 100 mertensia plants in bank above curve in stream S. of drive planted.
1964
- Bickers transplanting 2 oaks & 1 nyssa to area S. of folly
1989
-After six weeks, Magargee Brothers finished painting outside of Minder House.
December 4th
1948
- An extremly mild fall so far! Cleaning up at lower part of the place.
1957
-Beginning the evening before, 11" of snow by 7:00 A.M. first of the year.
1964
- A good rain, 1-1/2"
1973
- Nine clumps of tulips planted in flower beds.
December 5th
1936
- Pruned dead limbs off Red Oak near porch, I'm afraid it is dying.
1938
- Thanksgiving snow all gone.
1947
- Seventieth Birthday Party for C.P.R. (postponened from 28th Nov.) given at Chanticleer tonight. Much gayety.
1955
- A row of the white horse chestnuts planted on Church Road.
1958
- Harold & Marion Fry moved back into Minder House.
1965
- A.G.R. Jr. & Morris W. Stroud to Oakland: returned w/ only 28 quail. Drought.
1973
- A good rain: ground frozen.
1984
- Demolition of bird shed at 786 Church Road begun.
December 6th
1933
- John & Bertha Muller arrived. $90 an month plus carfare.
1938
- Patsy put one ton of mixed fertilizer on the lawn.
1949
- Three American Hollies planted today. Two on Brooke Road & one N.W. of house.
1977
- Double trenching of flower beds A and B.
December 7th
1941
- War. J.N.R. at Chanticleer for weekend and A.G.R. JR. at Ft. Benning, Ga. Felt Lonely and far apart & wished they were together.
1945
- A.G.R. Jr. put Manure on "new" hardy border etc, but did not have enough to go around.
1948
- Three & twenty-nine one hundreths acers, lying W. of Minder House purchased today from Edw. T Stuart
1959
- Planting at gate re-done: various new shrubs put in & old ones removed.
December 8th
1934
- Cold snap. Temperature 18°
1949
- John C. Lee painted outside of house & garage. Not a perfect job.
1950
- Blasting of rocks on Brooke Road.
1955
- 6 Bald Cypress & Corylopsis sinensis, & 1 Magnolia sieboldii, W. of Drive in swamp.
1958
- A.G.R. Jr. & J.N.R. moved back to Minder House.
1966
- A.G.R. Jr. returned from 3 days at Oakland Club with 34 quail.
1967
- A.G.R. Jr. returned from 4 days at Oakland Club with 47 quail & a woodcock.
1977
- Tulips planted in flower beds A & B.
December 9th
1933
- S. Goodman, first guest came for dinner. Currituck Duck & pre-war claret.
1934
- Prepared for winter. Porch furniture put in room over garage, wood in cellar, and curtains put on car.
1959
- Native white oak (seedling) in lawn. E. of Garage at end of swale.
December 10th
1945
- Spinelli delivered 1-1/2 tons of manure. However the ground is frozen and covered with snow.
1979
- French Furniture Class from Main Line School Night at Chnaticleer: about 15.
December 11th
1939
- Frederic & Margaret Smili left our employ. Leo & Susannah Quinn (@ 125.00 per mo.) entered it. Their prospects of remaining looked very poor.
1948
- JNR & AGR Jr began this afternoon the herendous task of cleaning up the giant property.
1951
- The Master (Elect) of Rhodes House (Bill Williams) & Gillian his wife arrived today on their tour of the U.S., Canada, etc. for a three day visit.
1960
- Beginning at 11:30 cold, snow which continued for 24 hrs & totaled 12"
December 12th
1933
- Elm tree, N.W. of house on Stuart line & four Austrian Pines on line near stream. Planted
by Wm. H. Doyle.
1939
- AGR Jr. left for Thomasville, NC for 4 days quail shooting. Floyd A. Potteiger pinted floor of upstairs sitting room red during this week.
1953
- The Elm tree planted in 1933 taken out last summer a/c Dutch Elm Disease. To be replaced next spring with American Linden & to shade porch in Evening.
1960
- Trip to Princeton cancelled a/c blizzard.
1964
- A.G.R. Jr. (w/ Hank & Tanna Wilson) returned from Oakland: greeted by a good rain.
1977
- Record cold (9°) for this day.
1984
- The Rosengarten Lounge in College Herald at U. of P. dedicated today.
December 13th
1966
- Luther Walton, and the first team, completed second of two catch basins with pipes running to the stream: between Brooke Road & bridge & west of drive.
1968
- Water staircase by water wheel completed by Luther & Co.
December 14th
1934
- Red oak tree, N.W. of porch, to shade west end of house planted by Thomas.
1951
- Very bad snow storm began at 1:30 PM. Both cars in town & both had to be abandoned. We returning by train about 8:30. Slippery rather than depth of snow was cause.
1963
- A.G.R. Jr. returned from 5 days at Oakland w/ Hank & Tanna Nielson. Snow on ground 3".
1968
- A.G.R. Jr. returned from Oakland Club with Morris Stroud, M.D. 65 quail & 4 wood cock.
December 15th
1933
- Nicholas Newlin spent the night, being the first to do so.
1934
- Peter Rosengarten married to Eva Khayatt of Cairo at St. James.
1958
- Although still a few frills to be adjusted, all mechanics & artisans incl. painters, carpenters, plumbers, other craftsman finished at Minder House.
1968
-First snow of the winter: 4"
December 16th
1953
- A.G.R. Jr. and J.N.R. at Thomasville, NC for three days quail shooting. Very cold weather and poor shooting.
1961
- Holly outside dining room window moved to corner W. side of drive & replaced with a styrax japonica.
1977
- A.G.R. Jr. returned from Oakland : 32 quail in 3 days.
1981
- 8" to 9" of wet snow fell early A.M. Damage to trees worst in years.
December 17th
1939
- Dinner at Chanticleer upon quail which AGR Jr. brought back.
1948
- Nini & El Borgerhoff for two days: they left on Sunday 19: x11:48 to spend Christmas with his parents in Florida in my car.
1954
- Dinner Dance for Christine Goodman before the Assembly.
1957
- Seven canoe bark birch trees planted cor. Brooke Road, Harrison property.
1963
- Six broom, two dogwood "elegantus" planted N. bank of "folly".
1971
- Roberts Harrison & AGR Jr. returned from 4-1/2 days at Oaklan dw/ 60 quail.
December 18th
1945
- Very cold, 6° at 7:00n AM. Beggining at 9:00 PM it began to snow. Full which continued until 4:00 PM on the 19th. reported to be 10" to 12" deep.
1966
- Borge, Nine, the three girls, Lid & Tad here for lunch.
December 19th
1948
- Beginning about 7:30 AM snow which amounted to 8-9" by 4 PM.
1955
- Planting from Styer's Nursery on Brooke Road. Consisted of 3 Clethra alnifolia, 5 Lonicera fragrantissima & 3 Rhodo maximum
1974
- A.G.R. Jr. HRN JR. & J.N. returned from 3 days at Oakland.
1977
- New lights for steps & fore-court installed.
December 20th
No Entries
December 21st
1955
- Chinese varnish tree from Moore's Nurseries planted by Pont cinquantaine. Cold 9° at 7:00 AM. This tree did not break spring 1956, so was removed.
1958
- A.G.R. Jr. & J.N.R. to Princeton for pre-Christmas function w/ the Borgerhoffs.
1969
- Nini Borgerhoff with her three girls & the Kidawas came for pre-Christmas lunch.
December 22nd
1935
- Cold snap 14° at 8:00 AM. Skating at Mill Dam.
1956
- Borgerhoffs (all 5), Kidawas for "Xmas" dinner. Nick & Margaret could not come b/c fog at the last minute.
1957
- Borgerhoffs, Kidawas, Nick, Margaret & James Newlin for the 1st time came to Sunday lunch.
1958
- Along severe cold spell. At 7:30 AM 4°, defeciency since Dec 1st - 181°
1964
- Five Borgerhoffs here for lunch
1968
- Nini Borgerhoff with her three girls and the Kidawas came for lunch.
1984
- Borgerhoff (4 plus Rick), Kidawas, M. Newlin & 7, Strouds, 2, AGR Jr. Buffet dinner.
December 23rd
1941
- A.G.R. Jr. landed at Phila. Airport at 10:00 AM for six day Christmas leave.
1952
- The Borgerhoffs (all four) down from Princeton, NJ with whom their gathered the Kidawas and N. Newlin for "Christmas" dinner.
1983
- A.G.R.Jr. returned from Oakland, shooting (bad weather) with Samuel Patterson.
December 24th
1954
- The Sims family party here tonight. Twenty-eight sat down for dinner on the porch which was specially enclosed & heated for the occasion. During the cocktail period, total present including babies, 38.
1955
- Cold month w/ def of 131° so far.
1959
- The family party here tonight. Thirty-one sat down for dinner.
1966
- Heavy snow began at 7:30 AM & by daylight Christmas had reached depth of 18".
December 25th
1933
- Very warm.
1934
- Warm.
1935
- Cold. Snow on ground, so no touch football.
1939
- Cold but no snow on ground. Weekend spent cleaning up wood pile.
1945
- At noon it began to rain and continued thru the night. Very slushy but not all of the snow of Dec 18th washed away.
1960
- A "White Christmas" as snow of Dec 11th has melted very little: a cold Dec.
1961
- A "White Christmas"; snow began late Dec 23rd, total 6" to 8": driving bad.
1964
- 68° set a record high for the day. Jacksons (3) & Patterson (5) here for cold supper.
1966
- Yesterday's snow heaviest since 1912: No one at Chanticleer but family for lunch.
1968
- Because of C.P.R.'s failing health family lunch reduced to Jacksons 7 ourselves.
1973
- Alter flowers in Church in memory of E.P. & C.P.R. A.G.R. Jr. usher at 8:00AM.
1980
- At 7:30 AM temperature - 4°F
1986
- Johnny, Wendy, J.D. & Jenny came for dinner.
December 26th
1948
- Snow from the 19th still on the ground. First cold weather of the winter, 12° at 8:00AM; very clear.
1956
- A.G.R. Jr. & Edward Goodman to Oakland Club for 2-1/2 days quail shooting.
1957
- A.G.R. Jr. & Edward Goodman to Oakland Club for 2 days quail shooting.
1971
- Rosengarten family Christmas: 5:30 to 7:30 PM w/ bar & buffet. 50 people attended.
1983
- Following wedding of Benji R. Nielson & Meta Grace recetion at Chanticleer. About 50.
December 27th
1947
The first heavy snow of the winter, about 6-8": it remained on the ground till mid-Feb.
1970
Rosengarten family Christmas luncheon at Chanticleer, attended by 43. Delay from Dec. 25 explanied by refusal of Jimmy Duffy to work Dec. 25.
1974
Newlin's -6- Borgerhoffs -4- Kadawas -2- & Rs 2 for dinner.
December 28th
1939
First snow of year. Very light. Fell in early morning.
1941
Left at 9:15am for Washington. via Eastern Air Lines for Atlanta & Columbus, Georgia. All too short.
1952
12° at 6:45am, windy but very clear. First winter this season.
1960
Nini Borge & the 3 girls came down from Princeton for the night.
1964
Edward T. Goodman's engagement to Penny Cutler announced.
1969
Rosengarten family "Christmas Luncheon" at Chanticleer, attended by 40.
1973
Nemlinfamily dinner at Minder House, fourteen in all.
1977
Nini & Beth Borgerhoff after spending the night to Shipley Farm for lunch.
1983
Newlin family Christmas party at Minder House. 5 Borgerhoffs, 4 Nemlins, 2 Strouds.
December 29th
1935
Cold weather continues. 10° at 8:30am. 6in snow began at 1:00pm.
1939
Patsy took down tulip poplar (diseased) which was S of cutting garden.
1947
AGR Jr. & JNR went to New York for a two day spree despite the blizzard of a few days before which tied up all traffic.
December 30th
1939
All furniture in modernized up-stairs sitting room except pictures.
1961
Five Borgerhoffs & Two Kidawas came for lunch today.
December 31st
1934
Despite a very severe winter, excess temp. for year was 300°. Deficiency of rain 2.5in.
1935
Temp. deficiency for month 152 deg. Excess rainfall for the year 5.92in. Temp. excess 16 deg.
1936
Temp. excess for month 100 deg. Deficiency rainfall for year 1.82. Excess temperature for the year 193 deg.
1937
Deficiency for month 16°, but annual excess 325°, annual deficency of 3.01 in rain.
1938
Excess temp. for month 36 deg., but annual excess 610°; Annual excess of rainfall 6.31in.
1939
Deficiency for month 55°, but annual excess 524°. Annual excess of rainfall 4.99in.
1940
Phila papers discontinued giving data. Following taken from N.Y. Times: Excess temp. since
1/1/40 = 408°; rainfall for year 45in. which is +1.86 from normal.
1947
Excess of both temp. & rainfall, but especially the latter.
1949
A very warm and an extremely dry year.
1954
N.Y. Times normal aver. annual temp 53.4° w/ '54 at 54.3. Rainfall 38.09" of 42.03" avg.
1957
Excess temp. for year 289°, but deficiency in rainfall 9". (Normal- 42") Phila Inquirer.
1958
A cold December. Deficiency for month -200°; Excess rainfall for year 6.73in.
1959
Excess temp. for year 443°; deficiency in rainfall 2.67in.
1962
At 6:45AM temp -2°; Deficiency for the year -680°; rainfall +.9"
1963
At 6:45AM temp. 0°; Deficiency of rainfall for year 7.5"
1964
Rainfall for year 29.88"; deficiency 12.60": This year second driest on record [1922]
1965
Rainfall 29.34", deficiency 13.05; Excededs '65 record. Also below normal every month.
1966
Rainfall 40", deficiency 2.35"
1967
Rainfall 44.5"; Excess 2.5"
1968
Deficiency in rainfall 7.25"
1969
With 6.89" of rain in December, normal of 42.39" exceeded by 0.63"
1970
Deficiency of rain 3.31"; total for the year 39"
1971
Nini Borgerhoff and the three girls for lunch; Excess of rain for the year 5.5"
1972
Excess rainfall for the year 7" +.
1975
Normal rainfall 39.53". Excess this year 11.59".
1976
Rainfall deficiency 6.60" in.
1977
Annual normal rainfall 39.83": this year 49.38" = 9.4" excess.
1978
Excess rainfall 6.32"
1979
Normal for year 39.83": excess 12.96"
1982
Excess rainfall for year 0.60"; A.G.R. Jr. from Oakland (2 rainy days out of 4) with 20 quail. Guest was Sam Patterson.
1983
Despite drought in July & August, rainfall in Dec. of 7.3", excess for year of 13"
1984
Excess rainfall for the year 2.33"
1988
Rainfall deficiency 3"
Closed for the Season
Opening March 26
Opening Day is March 26, 2025,
and the garden will be open Wednesday to Sunday, through November 9, 2025.
2025 Season Pass
Purchase a 2025 Season Pass, good through November 9, 2025. Buy your pass now.
News & Events
Workshops at Chanticleer
Chanticleer hosts many workshops at the garden. View the list here.
Chanticleer Emails
Stay current - Sign up
Chanticleer In the News
High praise from 6ABC, WNEP, and The New York Times.
Chanticleer is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for the public and is an equal opportunity employer.
Social Media
Friends
