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Catalog Data

Architect:
Allen, Francis  Search this
Former owner:
Clark, Emory  Search this
Thompson, Frederick Ferris, 1836-1899  Search this
Thompson, Mary Lee Clark, 1835-1923  Search this
Creator:
Wadamori, K. (landscape designer)  Search this
Landscape architect:
Handrahan, John  Search this
Bowditch, Ernest W.  Search this
Rotunno, Noreda A.  Search this
Collection Creator:
McFarland, J. Horace (John Horace), 1859-1948  Search this
American Rose Society  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Place:
United States of America -- New York -- Ontario County -- Canandaigua
Date:
1928
Scope and Contents note:
The folders include worksheets, site plans, copies of brochures and articles about the gardens, correspondence, and additional information.
General note:
Sonnenberg was the summer home of Frederick Ferris and Mary Clark Thompson, who purchased the property in 1863. A 40-room Queen Anne style mansion was built between 1885 and 1887, while the gardens as they exist today were developed between 1903 and 1920. Initially, Boston landscape architect Ernest Bowditch and subsequently his assistant John Handrahan (who worked independently for Mrs. Thompson after about 1903) were responsible for their creation along with other individuals including K. Wadamori (the Japanese garden) and Francis Allen (the Roman bath). Besides the Japanese garden and Roman bath, garden areas include a formal Italian garden, a blue and white garden, a rose garden, an old-fashioned garden, and a rock garden. Specimen trees punctuate the flowing lawns, while a Lord & Burnham conservatory and greenhouse complex is a highlight of the property. Following Mary Thompson's death in 1923 the property passed to her nephew, Emory Clark, who in turn sold it to the United States Government in 1931. In 1973 the non-profit "Sonnenberg Gardens" organization acquired the core 52 acres of the property, including the gardens and mansion, which were opened to the public. Various restoration efforts ensued, including those of landscape architect Noreda A. Rotunno, and in 2005 the estate became the fifth state historic park in New York State.
Persons associated with the property include Mary Lee Clark Thompson (former owner, 1863-1923); Frederick Ferris Thompson (former owner, 1863-1899); Emory Clark (former owner, 1923-1931); Ernest W. Bowditch (landscape architect, ca. 1900-1907); John Handrahan (landscape architect, ca. 1900-1921); K. Wadamori (landscape designer, 1906-1908); Francis Allen (architect, 1914); and Noreda A. Rotunno (landscape architect, 1972-1977).
Related Archival Materials note:
Sonnenberg Gardens related holdings consist of 2 folders (72 35 mm. slides (photographs); 15 photographic prints)
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.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, J. Horace McFarland Company Collection.
Identifier:
AAG.MCF, File NY167
See more items in:
J. Horace McFarland Company collection
J. Horace McFarland Company collection / Series 1: Garden Images / United States / New York
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Gardens
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kb615d2322a-5d6d-4d01-8cf9-6e4e98f77f66
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-aag-mcf-ref10225