Shared Spaces

Diverse voices exploring Frederick Law Olmsted’s living legacy.

Research & Writings

The Writing Life of Frederick Law Olmsted

Landscape architect and Harvard University professor Sara Zewde on Frederick Law Olmsted’s “Southern Chronicles” and the lessons his writings about slavery teach us today.

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Life & Times

Slideshow: A Timeline of the Life of Frederick Law Olmsted

Olmsted was more than the founder of American landscape architecture. He was an author, public servant and anti-slavery advocate, too. See the seminal moments of his extraordinary life.
Park Spotlights

Spotlight on… Seaside Park

Shortly after the Civil War, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux transformed the lands around Bridgeport Harbor, Long Island Sound, and Black Rock Harbor into what is today – Seaside Park (Project No. 12021). Thanks to advocacy by Bridgeport’s daily newspaper, plus land donations from nearby residents, Seaside Park came to fruition. Most notable among […]

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Recent News & Articles

Olmsted & the Olmsted Firm

The Legacy of the Vanderbilt-Olmsted-Hunt Trifecta

In his final landscape design, Frederick Law Olmsted planned the extensive grounds at Biltmore, the estate of George Washington Vanderbilt III. Biltmore is a National Historic Landmark in Asheville, NC.
Olmsted 200

Olmsted and America’s Urban Parks Watch Party and Panel Discussion

Today, Olmsted 200 launched its year-long nationwide campaign to celebrate the upcoming bicentennial of Frederick Law Olmsted with a Watch Party and Panel Discussion for Olmsted and America’s Urban Parks, a documentary narrated by actress Kerry Washington. Thousands of parks and landscape projects designed and inspired by FLO and the Olmsted firm can still be […]
Landscape Architecture & Design

A Vision for Truly Inclusive Public Spaces Rooted in Olmsted’s Core Values

Olmsted was committed to democratic access to public space, which is one of the foundations of inclusion. Communities can re-imagine this core value to plan and design more inclusive places.
Olmsted 200

Tackling Invasive Plants in our National Parks: Announcing the Weed Wrangle/Olmsted 200 Initiative

Weed Wrangle is proudly partnering with Olmsted 200 and the National Park Service to ensure that invasive plants do not disturb the health of Olmsted’s public parks.
Ecology & Sustainability

Fairsted Plant List Inspires Horticulture Conference

The National Park Service acquired Fairsted in the early 1980’s and completed an inventory of plants on-site at that time. GCA, an Olmsted 200 founding partner, is encouraging its clubs to propagate listed plants by seed, cuttings, layering and division.
Research & Writings

Archives of American Gardens Explores Olmsted Design Principles, 6

This One Minute Report by the Archives of American Gardens is from a series of six exploring Olmsted Design Principles prepared for The Garden Club of America. It first appeared at www.gcamerica.org, courtesy of Archives of American Gardens, Smithsonian Institution.
Research & Writings

Archives of American Gardens Explores Olmsted Design Principles, 5

This One Minute Report by the Archives of American Gardens is from a series of six exploring Olmsted Design Principles prepared for The Garden Club of America. It first appeared at www.gcamerica.org, courtesy of Archives of American Gardens, Smithsonian Institution.
Research & Writings

Archives of American Gardens Explores Olmsted Design Principles, 4

This One Minute Report by the Archives of American Gardens is from a series of six exploring Olmsted Design Principles prepared for The Garden Club of America. It first appeared at www.gcamerica.org, courtesy of Archives of American Gardens, Smithsonian Institution.
Research & Writings

Archives of American Gardens Explores Olmsted Design Principles, 3

This One Minute Report by the Archives of American Gardens is from a series of six exploring Olmsted Design Principles prepared for The Garden Club of America. It first appeared at www.gcamerica.org, courtesy of Archives of American Gardens, Smithsonian Institution.
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