2022 is the bicentennial of Frederick Law Olmsted—a leading cultural
figure of his time and the founder of the profession of landscape
architecture as we know it.
Olmsted’s personal career and the practice that was his legacy
flourished for more than one hundred years. He and his successors
worked in virtually every state and large city in America. In
Philadelphia and surrounding communities the firm secured
commissions for nearly two hundred projects. At least forty of these
were for clients in Chestnut Hill. Beginning in 1897, its work here
spanned forty years.
April 26, 2022 is Olmsted’s 200th birthday. As part of the national
celebration, Chestnut Hill Conservancy will host a local recognition
featuring a conversation among current-day owners of homesteads and
gardens designed by his successors in the firm of Olmsted Brothers,
Landscape Architects.
“Living among Landmarks: The Olmsted Legacy in Chestnut Hill”
will take place—hopefully in person—at Springside Chestnut Hill
Academy on the evening of April 6. Olmsted biographer Witold
Rybczynski will introduce the program. Before and after his remarks
and the panel discussion following, the audience will have access to a
pin-up display of photos and plans of all the known projects of
Olmsted Brothers forty-years’ involvement in Chestnut Hill.
Tickets on sale soon. For more information visit chconservancy.org or email info@chconservancy.org.