Call Number:

OLM

Repository:

Chestnut Hill Historical Society

Extent:

0.75 linear feet

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

2002.178, 2004.245, 2008.146

Date:

circa 1980-2010

Creator:

Olmsted Brothers.

Abstract:

Beginning in 1857 with the design for Central Park in New York City, Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903), his sons and successor firm created designs for more than 6,000 landscapes across North America, including many of the world's most important parks. The materials in Olmsted Landscape Firm Collection, circa 1980-2010--most of which are secondary sources or copies--relate to the Olmsted Brothers' landscape work in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia.

"Beginning in 1857 with the design for Central Park in New York City, Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903), his sons and successor firm created designs for more than 6,000 landscapes across North America, including many of the world's most important parks. Olmsted's remarkable design legacy includes Prospect Park in Brooklyn, Boston's Emerald Necklace, Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, Mount Royal in Montreal, the grounds of the United States Capitol and the White House, and Washington Park, Jackson Park and the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 in Chicago. Olmsted's sons were founding members of the American Society of Landscape Architects and played an influential role in the creation of the National Park Service." ("About the Olmsted Legacy")

After Frederick Law Olmsted's retirement, the firm he started was renamed "Olmsted Brothers, Landscape Architects" from 1898-1962. It was briefly known as "Olmsted Associates, Landscape Architects" before operating as "Olmsted Associates, Inc." from 1963-1979. ("Chronology of the Olmsted Firm 1857-1979")

Bibliography:

National Association for Olmsted Parks. "About the Olmsted Legacy." Accessed December 30, 2011. http://www.olmsted.org/the-olmsted-legacy/about-the-olmsted-legacy

National Association for Olmsted Parks. "Chronology of the Olmsted Firm 1857-1979." Accessed December 30, 2011. http://www.olmsted.org/the-olmsted-legacy/the-olmsted-firm/chronology-of-the-olmsted-firm-18571979

The materials in this collection--most of which are secondary sources or copies--relate to the Olmsted Brothers' landscape work in Chestnut Hill. Folders are titled with the name of the project and the firm's project number, and consist of plans, documents, and photographs. There are plot plans, plant lists, outbuilding structure designs, correspondence, etc. The collection also includes some general notes about Frederick Law Olmsted and his firm, and notes about further resources for research.