The Olmsted Family - An American Legacy

If you live in the United States your life has been touched upon, as well as improved, by the works of Frederick Law Olmsted and his family. Born in Connecticutt in 1822 Mr. Olmsted arrived at his calling rather late. He was 35 when he designed Central Park in New York City. It was the first of many such projects to come, including Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York. It was also the beginning of a life devoted to making all of our lives more enjoyable.

Often noted as the Founder of Landscape Architecture in America, his vision was to create livable communities for the emerging middle class at the turn of the 20th Century. When he passsed away in 1903 his son and step son went on to form Olmsted Brothers.

Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. along with his cousin, John Charles Olmsted would create some of these Landscape Communities across the United Sates. They would also leave their mark in the form of the many National Parks and monuments which we take for granted today.

Two of the residential communities that I have seen or worked in include Roland Park in Baltimore, Md. as well as the Dilworth Community in Charlotte, N.C. The winding streets with their abundance of trees are the hallmarks of these developments. The houses are set back a good distance from the roadways and the topography is used to create fabulous vistas in what would today be flat,urban sprawl.

Some of the projects which were designed by the Olmsteds' include the National Mall in Washington and the Jefferson Memorial. The system of parks in Buffalo, New York are the work of the Olmsteds. Their designs and influence even created the beautiful parks in Montreal, Canada as well as the extensive parks system in Los Angeles, California.

With the death of Frederick, Jr. in 1949 the firm continued to design and build many public projects. After closing in 1980 the firm became an historic landmark in Brookline, Massachusetts. Known as the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historical Site and located on 7 acres of landscaped grounds, this museum offers the visitor a look at the original plans for, and photos of, the parks and communities that were created by the Olmsteds.

No matter where you live in America, your life has been touched, and made better by the visions and creations of this remarkable family.