Bernheim, I. W. Arboretum & Herbarium

The Olmsted Brothers were hired by I.W. Bernheim to design the grounds of the 12,000 acre Arboretum and Herbarium in Lexington, KY. In 1931 James Frederick Dawson, of the firm, created the first general plan for the property. It separated the forest into several sections and aimed to open the most amount of grounds to the general public. Discussing the prospects of a portion called Jones Ranch, Dawson communicated to Bernheim the importance of primary roads. He wrote they “are no more than are necessary to provide adequate circulation through the property…[and] form the foundation for a general system of future roads through the entire property, and will also permit the gradual development of the Arboretum to proceed according to a definite plan.” [Dawson to Isaac Bernheim_09-14-1936_LOC-OAR-B-09278_im.32] The Bernheim masterplan also proposed the addition of three bodies of water. Built in 1936, Lake Nevin, Jim Beam Lake, and Mac’s Lake are prominent features of the arboretum. Two ponds, previously named Cedar and Holly Pond, were recently renamed to honor the Olmsted namesake.