Located in an area called the Garden District in New Orleans, Louisiana, this garden includes distinct areas including a formal rose garden, courtyard paved in pink granite, and an elegant teahouse. Cast iron fences, hedges of sasanqua, and clipped rows of cherry laurel separate each garden room. Walls further screen the swimming pool, hot houses and tool storage building. Sculptures and fountains ornament various locations and compliment seasonal blooms, camellias, gardenias, and azaleas.
The garden closest to the house was originally established in 1933. Landscape architect Umberto Innocenti designed the patio with the crane fountain and pink granite blocks in 1958. In 1953, the only plants left from the original planting are the large crepe myrtle trees in each corner and the sweet olives. On the west side of the house, there were long garden beds bordered by violets planted with different varieties of iris, crinums and flowering shrubs. Hedges of gardenias enclosed a formal garden on the other side of the house and at the center of the garden a large kettle from a sugar plantation was sunk and used as a pool. Behind the house was a play yard for children and a hothouse filled with orchids.
The Greek Revival Style home was built for cotton owner Jacob Upshur Payne in 1849. A granite plinth in the shape of a cemetery headstone notes that Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy, died during his stay at the home on December 6, 1889.
Persons associated with the property include Jacob Upshur Payne (former owner, 1849), Jacob Payne, Jr. (former owner, 1886), Mrs. Charles E. Fenner (former owner, 1901), William B. Forsyth (former owner, 1935), Frank and Rose Strachan (former owner, 1942-1987?), Umberto Innocenti (landscape architect, 1958), Patricia Forsyth Strachan (owner, 2019?).
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Sponsor:
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
