The origin of Bucks Beautiful began with Robert & Joyce Byers in the late 1980’s.  A tour through Europe inspired them to start an initiative to beautify Bucks County’s small town residential communities and rolling landscapes with a wealth of lush public gardens.  The Byers noticed how each European town center featured beautiful gardens fostering great community pride, creating a wonderful sense of place.  Historic Bucks County is already internationally recognized for its history, the arts, its beautiful surroundings and philanthropic spirit.  Therefore the Byers knew they could bring others together to emulate this remarkable European tradition in our own hamlets.  In 1991, Betz Laboratories CEO Jack McCaughan (now retired) and his wife Carol joined the Byers in officially founding Bucks Beautiful, a 501c3 non profit community organization.

Bucks Beautiful is designed to promote and extend the development of gardens in communities, towns, along roads, business premises and private homes.  Bucks Beautiful’s goal is to complement the world fame of Bucks County with a parade of lush, distinctive gardens.  Individuals, organizations and businesses are invited to participate in Bucks Beautiful and beautify Bucks County with distinctive gardens reflecting variety, color, creativity and visual impact.

Our Beloved Co-Founder Bob Byers Sr. leaves a lasting legacy for Bucks County

Just before Christmas of 2020, we lost a great friend and leader who has left an indelible mark upon Bucks County, Bob Byers Sr.  We were fortunate to know Bob along with his wife Joyce as the visionaries who co-founded Bucks Beautiful, a non-profit dedicated to creating beauty within our towns and countryside.  Whether it was initiating a hanging basket program; funding community and gateway gardens throughout the county; stewarding Bulbs for Bucks daffodil displays or the most recent reforestation initiative RePlant Bucks, his goal was to celebrate community pride.  We know that Bucks Beautiful was only one of the many ways that Bob humbly left a lasting legacy for the citizens and landscape of Bucks County.  Bob’s leadership, generosity and humility were an inspiration.  He touched us all and made us better people because of who he was.  Bob will be forever missed but never forgotten.    

A Living Tribute 

Members of the Bucks Beautiful Board, in partnership with Cole Nurseries, Inc., donated a Weeping Green Beech tree in memory of beloved co-founder Bob Byers, Sr., who passed in December.  The twenty-foot tall native tree with a seven-inch caliper and an 84-inch hand dug root ball weighed in at 7,000 pounds.  This living tribute was planted on the grounds of the Mercer Museum in Doylestown.   

The location of the Mercer for this RePlant Bucks donation was selected for its historical and cultural importance to Bucks County.  A century old tree once stood as the centerpiece of the sprawling lawns, but was unfortunately destroyed by storm damage years ago.  The newly planted beech tree symbolizes preservation and progress, a fitting tribute to both Mr. Byers and the Mercer Museum.       
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