Literary Longwood: An Exclusive Library Tour

On June 26, 2026, we spent a picture-perfect early summer day at Longwood Gardens for a special "Literary Longwood" experience with the women of the WNBA: That’s the Women's National Book Association, not basketball!

Our morning began admiring the miniaturized beauty of the bonsai collection (all I could think was how fast I’d destroy one of these by forgetting to water them! Kudos to the diligent gardeners who have been keeping these alive for decades!) before we made our way to Longwood's library.

Under the guidance of a local curator, we got to enjoy a remarkable display of rare and unique garden-oriented books, many featuring gorgeous flower and plant illustrations.

Along the way, we learned more about the rich history of Longwood Gardens and discovered how its library supports both the public and researchers through its extraordinary collections.

Our visit concluded with a relaxed lunch at Longwood’s pavilion (I definitely did not give in to my childhood nostalgia for a PB&J sandwich instead of something adult with vegetables haha), which gave us all a chance to continue the conversation and connect over a shared love of books, history, and gardens.

This lovely day together turned out to be another happy collaboration between Huxley & Hiro and the Women's National Book Association - and a memorable reminder that some of the best travel experiences are found where literature, nature, and community come together.

Claire van den Broek

Owner at Huxley & Hiro Bookstore in historic downtown Wilmington