Olmsted in Connecticut
Experience Connecticut landscapes shaped by Frederick Law Olmsted and his firm.
In 2022, to commemorate the 200th birthday of Frederick Law Olmsted Sr, the father of American landscape architecture, Preservation Connecticut, the Connecticut SHPO and Red Bridge Group teamed up to study the Olmsted heritage and historic landscapes in the state. Perhaps best known for designing New York’s Central Park with Calvert Vaux, the Hartford native drafted landscape plans for public parks, campuses, subdivisions, institutions and estates, while also advocating for the conservation of natural landscapes. After Olmsted’s retirement, his sons continued the work and helped to establish the National Park Service.
PROJECT DESIGNS
Documented
Long Hill Wadsworth Estate, Middletown
Institute of Living, Hartford
Seaside Park, Bridgeport
Beacon Falls Rubber Shoe Company subdivision, Beacon Falls
How can I learn more?
Would you like a staff member to give a talk about the Olmsted heritage and the importance of historic landscapes to your organization? Fill out this form, and we’ll be in touch to schedule an event. Or stay informed by signing up for our newsletters! Do you have questions about the survey? Contact Chris Wigren, 203.562.6312 x 2 or cwigren@preservationct.org.
Olmsted 200
Spearheaded by the National Association of Olmsted Parks, Olmsted 200 highlights topics related to landscape, the enjoyment of the natural environment, urban life, and other themes connected with the life of Frederick Law Olmsted.
Olmsted Heritage Trail
Created by the Connecticut Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the online Olmsted Legacy Trail has a brief Connecticut-focused biography of Frederick Law Olmsted, plus thumbnail histories of Olmsted firm landscapes in Connecticut- many of which you can go explore in person.
Questions?
Contact Chris Wigren, 203.562.6312 x 2 or cwigren@preservationct.org