Columbia University

Frederick Law Olmsted first began work with Columbia University in 1893. His general plan with McKim, Mead & White reviewed seven different schemes and discussed the introduction of new academic buildings, faculty housing and athletic fields on site. The Olmsted Brothers continued contributing to Columbia University in the early 1900s, designing the grounds of the library and preparing a general plan for planting (00242-60). “Simplicity and grandeur in scale are to be sought for the planting and decoration of such grounds as you have at Columbia, and no minor or fussy details should be introduced to contradict the general impression of such grandeur.” [FLO Jr. to Frederick A. Goetzeim_09-10-1906_LOC-OAR-B-00242-im.39]