Olmsted 200 has served as the catalyst for an inspiring collection of educational programming, with conferences available via C-SPAN and webinars available through YouTube. From the Olmsteds’ connection to the National Park Service to the family’s influence on topics like campus design and international park-making, these programs clarify the Olmsteds’ impact on the field of landscape architecture and carry Olmsted’s vision into the 21st century.
Today at 6:30 pm ET, C-SPAN 2 will air a recent conference hosted by the National Association for Olmsted Parks (NAOP) and the Architect of the Capitol. The conference explores how Frederick Law Olmsted and his son, Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., contributed to the preservation of public lands. Watch Frederick Law Olmsted, Conservation & National Parks live or online.
NAOP’s 2021 conference, which also aired on C-SPAN 2, highlighted the Olmsteds’ perspective on campus planning and how their principles inform campus design today. Frederick Law Olmsted, his sons, and successors believed that the physical environment of learning— meaning the buildings and grounds— played a significant role in the success of education. Olmsted planned campuses for Cornell, Stanford, and Trinity College, while the firms undertook projects at institutions including Duke, Harvard, Gallaudet, Wellesley, and Johns Hopkins. Watch recordings here.
Of course, the Conversations with Olmsted webinars have been a staple throughout the bicentennial, focusing on the different aspects of Olmsted’s far-reaching influence on America’s physical landscape and social fabric. NAOP joined with the American Society of Landscape Architects, the American Public Health Association, the National Recreation and Park Association, the Landscape Architect Foundation, and other Olmsted 200 Founding Partners to facilitate these valuable conversations and provide food for thought to landscape professionals and fans alike. Watch every installment in the series here, and save the date for the final webinar of the bicentennial year on December 13.
Olmsted 200 has even inspired local organizations to create Olmsted-themed content of their own. For example, Olmsted City of Greater Utica in Utica, New York, created a multi-part series exploring the city’s connection to Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., and Friends of Stonehurst created a similar video series featuring Gerry Wright as FLO. All of these opportunities (and more!) can be found on Olmsted 200’s Shared Spaces blog and national calendar.
In 2023, the National Association for Olmsted Parks will continue to partner with Olmsted 200 Founding Partners and Celebration Partners to bring you new and exciting content.
