Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square has been named one of America’s Greatest Midsize Workplaces for 2026 by Newsweek and Plant A Insights Group. The achievement underscores the gardens’ efforts to attract and retain talent amid ongoing expansion.
According to a MyChesCo report, the ranking relied on publicly available data and a confidential nationwide employee survey that assessed workplace culture, leadership, and professional development.
The honor comes as Longwood supports a workforce of more than 700 staff and students, along with more than 600 volunteers who maintain the 1,100-acre property and support conservation, education, research, and visitor operations.
“At Longwood, we’ve worked hard to build a workplace defined by innovation, belonging, exceptional benefits, and real investment in our team’s professional growth — and this honor affirms that those efforts are making a difference,” Shelley Dinehart, Longwood’s chief human resources and culture officer, said in a statement shared with MyChesCo.
The recognition is attributed to investments that Longwood has made in benefits and career development. These advances include health care, retirement matching, tuition reimbursement, parental leave, caregiver support, service awards, bonuses, and ongoing professional development opportunities aimed at recruitment and long-term retention.
Founded in 1906 by industrialist Pierre S. du Pont, Longwood Gardens has become a prominent public garden spanning 1,100 acres with gardens, woodlands, meadows, fountains, and conservatories.
In 2024, Longwood expanded its conservation footprint with the acquisition of the 505-acre Longwood at Granogue estate near Wilmington, Delaware, broadening its preservation and educational mission.
Longwood Gardens operates daily and is part of the Philadelphia region’s America’s Garden Capital network, which includes more than 30 public gardens.
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