Articles

After being mere spectators at the war's early battles, civilians both near and far from the battlefields became unwilling participants and victims of the war as its toll of blood and treasure grew year after year. In response to the hardships imposed upon their fellow citizens by the war, civilians on both sides mobilized to provide comfort, encouragement, and material, and began to expect that their government should do the same.

What would parks be without plants? The Olmsteds relied on horticulturalists (plant experts) to advise them about which plants would give the look, feel, and texture they wanted park visitors to experience.

Build a model bridge, inspired by the landscape design models built in the Olmsted office! When planning a design, models were frequently used by the Olmsted firm. In fact, there was an entire space dedicated to building models- the barn behind the main building at the Olmsted firm.

Create a watercolor landscape, inspired by the work of the Olmsted firm's draftsmen, who created watercolor paintings to show clients what the completed landscape would look like. The Olmsted firm’s draftsmen were responsible for bringing the ideas of the landscape designs to life! Sometimes they created watercolor paintings to show what the completed landscape would look like to show to their clients.

Create your own sun print, inspired by the blueprint technology used in the Olmsted office. Copies were essential at the Olmsted office. Clients, park superintendents, ground crews, etc. all needed to see what was going on. Instead of asking their draftsmen to draw multiple plans, the Olmsteds embraced the latest technology- blueprints.

In collaboration with the Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation, the Historic Preservation Training Center is launching the Traditional Trades Advancement Program-Landscape Stewardship Corps, a nationwide internship program aimed at inspiring youth. The program focuses on providing hands-on experiences and training in cultural landscape preservation, preparing the next generation to become stewards of the National Park Service.

To make outdoor spaces (landscapes) interesting for visitors, the Olmsteds mixed plants, structures, water, rocks, and other items so that there would be many kinds of colors and textures to experience, just like there are in nature. At Fairsted In the early 1900s, the Olmsteds designed landscapes for two observatories. An observatory has tools such as telescopes that help you see the colors and textures of outer space.

Learn about the design principles of Frederick Law Olmsted, used at the first landscape architecture office in the country.

President Jimmy Carter oversaw one of the largest growths in the National Park System. Explore some of the parks that are part of the legacy of the presidency of Jimmy Carter, who served as the 39th president of the United States from January 20, 1977, to January 20, 1981.

In addition to the spectacular landscape architecture Frederick Law Olmsted paired with the White City, the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 also introduced several inventions that are still used today.