125
Landscape Architecture Collection
Collection, Ms B51
1883 – 1995
See preface and introduction for original conception of the collection. It has since been expanded to include all known landscape commissions for which the Society has drawings
The collection consists primarily of landscape drawings, elevations and sketches of gardens in the Fairfield area designed by landscape architects. The drawings are supplemented by photographs, biographical information, articles about the architects, and research correspondence of the compiler, Dona E. Caldwell. The collection is arranged in three parts: landscape architects, nursery firms, and other historic gardens. Landscape architects are arranged alphabetically. Biographical and collection information, including locations of other collections, are organized in Series A for each architect or nursery. Commissions are generally arranged chronologically, with the exception of Susan Weeks’ work, in which they are organized alphabetically, first by private residence and then be commercial job. Nursery firms and other important gardens for which no architect is known, are also arranged alphabetically. Oversized drawings are stored separately in flat file drawers and in box 4. See container list for exact locations.
PREFACE
The measure of change in the form and fabric of life in the town of Fairfield, and the
nearby villages of Southport and Greens Farms, Connecticut, may be observed through
the documentation of notable gardens during the past 100 years, 1883-1983. The
landscape architecture collection at the Fairfield Historical Society provides physical
evidence of residential gardens, their locations, their owners, and the date of design and
execution, through plans, photographs, or correspondence concerning most of the notable
gardens in the area.
The designers of these residential gardens, whether landscape engineers, nurserymen,
gardeners, or landscape architects, became members of the American Society of
Landscape Architects, founded in 1899. The early designers worked in firms located in
New York or Boston as the art of landscape gardening known to Thomas Jefferson grew
into a flourishing profession at the beginning of the 20th century. Many clients were the
owners of profitable financial undertakings in the city. They created the demand for
country retreats along Long Island Sound, where outdoor pleasures, refreshment and
relaxation could be enjoyed away from the bustle, noise and stress of the city. Reaching
these rural estates, with their shade trees, shimmering water and green verdure, became a
practical reality as railroad lines and the automobile facilitated travel time to the bucolic
farms which were purchased in this region as summer estates. The local agricultural
scenery was replaced with suburban expansion between World War I and II. Greater
urban development spread throughout the area with the increase in population. As the
beginning of a new century approached, garden designs on a proportionately smaller
scale continued to fill the need for the enjoyment of aesthetic beauty.
Dona E. Caldwell, member
American Society of Landscape Architects
PREFACE
The measure of change in the form and fabric of life in the town of Fairfield, and the
nearby villages of Southport and Greens Farms, Connecticut, may be observed through
the documentation of notable gardens during the past 100 years, 1883-1983. The
landscape architecture collection at the Fairfield Historical Society provides physical
evidence of residential gardens, their locations, their owners, and the date of design and
execution, through plans, photographs, or correspondence concerning most of the notable
gardens in the area.
The designers of these residential gardens, whether landscape engineers, nurserymen,
gardeners, or landscape architects, became members of the American Society of
Landscape Architects, founded in 1899. The early designers worked in firms located in
New York or Boston as the art of landscape gardening known to Thomas Jefferson grew
into a flourishing profession at the beginning of the 20th century. Many clients were the
owners of profitable financial undertakings in the city. They created the demand for
country retreats along Long Island Sound, where outdoor pleasures, refreshment and
relaxation could be enjoyed away from the bustle, noise and stress of the city. Reaching
these rural estates, with their shade trees, shimmering water and green verdure, became a
practical reality as railroad lines and the automobile facilitated travel time to the bucolic
farms which were purchased in this region as summer estates. The local agricultural
scenery was replaced with suburban expansion between World War I and II. Greater
urban development spread throughout the area with the increase in population. As the
beginning of a new century approached, garden designs on a proportionately smaller
scale continued to fill the need for the enjoyment of aesthetic beauty.
Dona E. Caldwell, member
American Society of Landscape Architects
GUIDE TO THE MASTER LIST OF GARDEN DESIGN PROJECTS
1883-1983
The following list contains all of the known landscape design projects, numbering
134, cataloged in this landscape archive, beginning in 1883 when Frederick Sturges
requested the Olmsted firm “to visit a newly purchased site” on Round Hill Road, Town
of Fairfield. This early correspondence did not progress beyond the point of a preliminary
inquiry. Subsequently, this property was purchased by Walter B. Lashar who
commissioned Arthur A. Shurcliff to design the grounds for his estate, “Round Hill.”
The stone residence and handsome gardens were purchased in 1942 by the Jesuit Order
and the “newly purchased site” of 1883 became known as Bellarmine Hall on the campus
of Fairfield University.
The projects which were commissioned to three Fairfield resident landscape architects
are abundant in proportion to projects given to those 15 other members of the American
Society of Landscape Architects; among these three, Alice Orme Smith and Agnes
Selkirk Clark were to be honored as Fellows of the profession.
INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE LIST
The list has eight columns of information:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Owner Address Town Landscape Architect Date Plans Photos Correspondence
1. Name or owner of project. So far as possible this list gives names of individuals only
for projects involving the design of grounds with the exception of the Greenfield Hill
Schoolhouse and the Thaddeus Burr homestead.
2. Location by address. If street numbers have been redesignated, the former are indicated
in parentheses, such as 47 (1) Sturges Highway.
3. Location by town of Fairfield, Greens Farms, or Southport.
4. Identification of landscape architect. Includes biographical sketch and some
photographic portraits.
5. Time span of work on project taken from the date of plans prepared for the owner.
6. Y/N indicates yes or no for one or more plans executed for the owner by the landscape
architect or firm. Drawings are described by specific title, sheet measurements, and
medium, that is ink or pencil on vellum or tissue, blueline or blackline print, or
photocopy of plan.
7. Y/N indicates whether or not there is pictorial documentation of the projects using
photographs, slides, photocopies; or glass slides for Maitlands, now part of Fairfield
University and formerly the estate of Oliver Gould Jennings.
8. Y/N indicates whether or not there is additional information about the project, the
owners, or the landscape architects through correspondence, published articles, oral
documentation, memorabilia (published catalog, awarded medals), or letters of
verification for archival documentation.
This master list is a cross-index to the project information in the Fairfield
Historical Society’s Landscape Architecture Archives. Folders are arranged
alphabetically by landscape architect. Biographical and collection information is followed
by commissions arranged either alphabetically by owner of the property, or
chronologically by date of the drawings. Oversize drawings are stored in flat files or in an
oversize flat document box.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ARCHIVE CONTAINER LIST
Part 1. Landscape Architects
Breed, Vera Poggi (1890-1967) / Box 1, folder 1-2, O/s folder I
*Clark, Agnes Selkirk (1898-1983) / Box 1, folder 3-8, O/s folder II
Coffin, Marian Cruger (1876-1957) / Box 1, folder 9
Farrand, Beatrix (182-1959) / Box 1, folder 10, O/s folder III
Innocenti & Webel (1895-1968) / Box 1, folder 11, O/s folder IV
Jones, Helen Swift (1889-1982) / Box 1, folder 12
Kellaway, Herbert J (1868-1982) / Box 1, folder 13
Leavitt, Charles Welford (1871-1928) / Box 1, folder 14, O/s folder V
Olmsted Brothers & Assoc. (1906-1970) / Box 1, folder 15-19, O/s folder VI
Ortloff & Raymore (1896-1967; 1895-1984) / Box 2, folder 1-2, O/s folder VII
Payson, Louise (1894-1977) / Box 2, folder 3-4
Ray, Eloise A (1905-1995) / Box 2, folder 5-6, O/s folder VIII; Box 4
Shipman, Ellen (1896-1950) / Box 2, folder 7-8, O/s folder IX
Shurcliff, Arthur A (1870-1957) / Box 2, folder 9-10, O/s folder X
*Smith, Alice Orme (1889-1981) /Box 2, folder 11-20; Box 3, folder 1-4, O/s folder XI-XIV
Tibbitts, Armand R (1891-1987) / Box 3, folder 5; Box 4, O/s folder XV, Plastic
Tube
*Weeks, Susan Hubbell (1909-1991) / Box 3, folder 6, O/s folder XVI-XXII
* denotes Fairfield resident
Part 2. Nursery Firms
Cronamere Alpine Nurseries (see also DeBevoise in Part 3) / Box 3, folder 7
Waldley & Smyth, landscape contractors and nursery / Box 3, folder 9-10
Wakeman Gardens (see also medal awarded to Sarah Wakeman Wood, in museum collection) / See Ms 30, folder M
Part 3. Other Historic Gardens
George Brett Estate / Box 3, folder 11
Thaddeus Burr Homestead / Box 3, folder 12
Mrs. Charles DeBevoise (see also medal designed in her honor, museum 1987.53) / Box 3, folder 13
Miss Annie B Jennings Estate / Box 3, folder 14
O. G. Jennings Estate / Box 3, folder 15
Dr. Damuel Osgood’s “Waldstein” / Box 3, folder 16
Jonathan Sturges’ “The Cottage” / Box 3, folder 17
Alden H Vose’s “Daybreak” / Box 3, folder 18
General articles on Fairfield gardens / Box 3, folder 19
1883-1983
The following list contains all of the known landscape design projects, numbering
134, cataloged in this landscape archive, beginning in 1883 when Frederick Sturges
requested the Olmsted firm “to visit a newly purchased site” on Round Hill Road, Town
of Fairfield. This early correspondence did not progress beyond the point of a preliminary
inquiry. Subsequently, this property was purchased by Walter B. Lashar who
commissioned Arthur A. Shurcliff to design the grounds for his estate, “Round Hill.”
The stone residence and handsome gardens were purchased in 1942 by the Jesuit Order
and the “newly purchased site” of 1883 became known as Bellarmine Hall on the campus
of Fairfield University.
The projects which were commissioned to three Fairfield resident landscape architects
are abundant in proportion to projects given to those 15 other members of the American
Society of Landscape Architects; among these three, Alice Orme Smith and Agnes
Selkirk Clark were to be honored as Fellows of the profession.
INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE LIST
The list has eight columns of information:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Owner Address Town Landscape Architect Date Plans Photos Correspondence
1. Name or owner of project. So far as possible this list gives names of individuals only
for projects involving the design of grounds with the exception of the Greenfield Hill
Schoolhouse and the Thaddeus Burr homestead.
2. Location by address. If street numbers have been redesignated, the former are indicated
in parentheses, such as 47 (1) Sturges Highway.
3. Location by town of Fairfield, Greens Farms, or Southport.
4. Identification of landscape architect. Includes biographical sketch and some
photographic portraits.
5. Time span of work on project taken from the date of plans prepared for the owner.
6. Y/N indicates yes or no for one or more plans executed for the owner by the landscape
architect or firm. Drawings are described by specific title, sheet measurements, and
medium, that is ink or pencil on vellum or tissue, blueline or blackline print, or
photocopy of plan.
7. Y/N indicates whether or not there is pictorial documentation of the projects using
photographs, slides, photocopies; or glass slides for Maitlands, now part of Fairfield
University and formerly the estate of Oliver Gould Jennings.
8. Y/N indicates whether or not there is additional information about the project, the
owners, or the landscape architects through correspondence, published articles, oral
documentation, memorabilia (published catalog, awarded medals), or letters of
verification for archival documentation.
This master list is a cross-index to the project information in the Fairfield
Historical Society’s Landscape Architecture Archives. Folders are arranged
alphabetically by landscape architect. Biographical and collection information is followed
by commissions arranged either alphabetically by owner of the property, or
chronologically by date of the drawings. Oversize drawings are stored in flat files or in an
oversize flat document box.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ARCHIVE CONTAINER LIST
Part 1. Landscape Architects
Breed, Vera Poggi (1890-1967) / Box 1, folder 1-2, O/s folder I
*Clark, Agnes Selkirk (1898-1983) / Box 1, folder 3-8, O/s folder II
Coffin, Marian Cruger (1876-1957) / Box 1, folder 9
Farrand, Beatrix (182-1959) / Box 1, folder 10, O/s folder III
Innocenti & Webel (1895-1968) / Box 1, folder 11, O/s folder IV
Jones, Helen Swift (1889-1982) / Box 1, folder 12
Kellaway, Herbert J (1868-1982) / Box 1, folder 13
Leavitt, Charles Welford (1871-1928) / Box 1, folder 14, O/s folder V
Olmsted Brothers & Assoc. (1906-1970) / Box 1, folder 15-19, O/s folder VI
Ortloff & Raymore (1896-1967; 1895-1984) / Box 2, folder 1-2, O/s folder VII
Payson, Louise (1894-1977) / Box 2, folder 3-4
Ray, Eloise A (1905-1995) / Box 2, folder 5-6, O/s folder VIII; Box 4
Shipman, Ellen (1896-1950) / Box 2, folder 7-8, O/s folder IX
Shurcliff, Arthur A (1870-1957) / Box 2, folder 9-10, O/s folder X
*Smith, Alice Orme (1889-1981) /Box 2, folder 11-20; Box 3, folder 1-4, O/s folder XI-XIV
Tibbitts, Armand R (1891-1987) / Box 3, folder 5; Box 4, O/s folder XV, Plastic
Tube
*Weeks, Susan Hubbell (1909-1991) / Box 3, folder 6, O/s folder XVI-XXII
* denotes Fairfield resident
Part 2. Nursery Firms
Cronamere Alpine Nurseries (see also DeBevoise in Part 3) / Box 3, folder 7
Waldley & Smyth, landscape contractors and nursery / Box 3, folder 9-10
Wakeman Gardens (see also medal awarded to Sarah Wakeman Wood, in museum collection) / See Ms 30, folder M
Part 3. Other Historic Gardens
George Brett Estate / Box 3, folder 11
Thaddeus Burr Homestead / Box 3, folder 12
Mrs. Charles DeBevoise (see also medal designed in her honor, museum 1987.53) / Box 3, folder 13
Miss Annie B Jennings Estate / Box 3, folder 14
O. G. Jennings Estate / Box 3, folder 15
Dr. Damuel Osgood’s “Waldstein” / Box 3, folder 16
Jonathan Sturges’ “The Cottage” / Box 3, folder 17
Alden H Vose’s “Daybreak” / Box 3, folder 18
General articles on Fairfield gardens / Box 3, folder 19
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