Life & Times

National Exhibit Debuts – Frederick Law Olmsted: Landscapes for the Public Good

In partnership with the National Association for Olmsted Parks and the Olmsted 200 campaign, the Oak Spring Garden Foundation is proud to celebrate Olmsted’s birth with this virtual and downloadable exhibition. The exhibit focuses on Olmsted’s life story, his major landscape commissions, and their relevance to contemporary society.

The American Farmer’s visit to the People’s Garden

When Frederick Law Olmsted arrived in Liverpool, England in May 1850, he quickly developed a fascination with the neighboring town of Birkenhead. This blog details Frederick Law Olmsted's history with Birkenhead Park People's Garden, which is currently seeking World Heritage status through UNESCO.

The Olmsteds and the Foundation of the National Park Service

Frederick Law Olmsted and his successors are well known for their development of city parks and park systems, but they also made lasting contributions to the National Park Service (NPS). In this blog, Lauren Meier, ASLA, explores the Olmsteds and their connection to "America's best idea".

Olmsted: The Scientific Farmer on Staten Island

The Olmsted-Beil House at Tosomock Farm on Staten Island, NY, played a transformative role in the development of Olmsted’s career as a landscape architect and was recently added to the New York State and National Historic Registers.

Explore: Olmsted’s Crusade Against Slavery

Frederick Law Olmsted was a fierce opponent of slavery and an advocate for equal rights for Blacks in the Union Army.

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.