Olmsted 200 Celebration (Near You?)
Frederick Law Olmsted is widely regarded as the father of American landscape architecture. This year marks the 200th anniversary of his birth. Events are being held around the country in celebration of his living legacy. Here’s how to find an event near you…
Olmsted worked in a series of jobs before finding his calling. He was a merchant, seaman, farmer, author, gold mine manager, writer for the New York Daily Times, etc. He’s best known for his landscape architecture work throughout the nation.
Olmsted designed some of the most celebrated and visited landmarks in the United States. They include Central Park in New York, the Emerald Necklace in Boston, Jackson Park in Chicago and the U.S. Capitol Grounds.
Olmsted’s work on academic campuses includes Stanford University’s Main Quad in Palo Alto, Trinity College in Hartford, University of Chicago, Washington University in St. Louis, Wellesley College in Massachusetts and Yale University in New Haven…. among many more commissions.
Olmsted’s work also includes the grounds of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, Druid Hills Historic District and parks along Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta, Kykuit Gardens on the Rockefeller family estate in Mount Pleasant, Niagara Falls State Park in New York, Olmsted Linear Park in Atlanta and Prospect Park in Brooklyn… among many other commissions.
Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. retired from his firm in 1895, shortly after his work on the Columbian Exposition at Jackson Park in Chicago. His sons John Charles Olmsted and Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. managed the firm as they worked on an enormous number of commissions from 1895 until 1950. Their work includes many academic campuses, especially in Alabama, and many other commissions like the design of Druid Hills in Atlanta.
Where to Celebrate
A collection of founding partners has come together to celebrate Olmsted, Sr.’s legacy. They’ve created a website you can use to find local events:
Click “Join the Celebration” in the top navigation and scroll down to “Attend an Event”. Below the events shown in a button which reads “Find an Event”. Click this button to find upcoming events. You can search by location and state date. Events run through the end of 2022.
Searching in the state of Georgia helped us find more than a page of tours, talks, book signings, markets, etc. to attend. The list includes a birthday party at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center in Atlanta on April 26th. There’s even a tennis tournament!
We recommend attending a tour if you’re able. It’s helpful to see his work firsthand. If you can’t get out, look for a virtual event in any city that’s of interest to you.
We hope to see you at one of the celebratory events this year!
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