United States of America -- Rhode Island -- Newport County -- Newport
Scope and Contents:
The folder includes correspondence, articles and information sheet compiled by GCA representative.
Biographical / Historical:
After Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Curtiss James's deaths, the gardens, with their pergolas, pools, and walls, fell into disrepair, ravaged by time and invasive trees and shrubs. The estate was subdivided into 3.25-acre parcels in the 1970s, and sold by developers as single home sites—with the remnants of the Blue Garden on one of the sites. Through the generosity of Dorrance H. Hamilton, a Newport summer resident, philanthropist, and garden enthusiast, the Blue Garden was rescued from its demise and rebuilt in 2014. A team, led by Parker Construction, Reed Hilderbrand Landscape Architects, and Arleyn A. Levee, Olmsted Historian, restored the garden to its former glory, using as reference original Olmsted plans, drawings, photographs, and correspondence from the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site, the Library of Congress, the Archives of American Gardens, and the Redwood Library, among other repositories. As the name suggests, the Blue Garden incorporates a palette of blues early in the season and transitions to lavender blues and purples, with touches of white, as the summer progresses. Over 250 evergreen trees and flowering shrubs enclose the garden, and contribute to its designation as an arboretum. The Blue Garden is known today as a classic example of American landscape art and a triumph of historic preservation. The garden is open for tours on Thursdays from mid-June through early October. Photographs of the restoration and information are available at thebluegarden.org.
General:
"There is an austere elegance about a green garden; pink or yellow or red are frivolous except as accents, but the garden that appeals to the romantic, universal soul is the blue garden. That is why the Blue Garden of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Curtiss James was the ultimate goal of so many Newport Pilgrims. A very stately garden it is with the iridescent quality which blue flowers that really are mauve and purple and grayish, rather than true, sharp blue, impart. Its irregular symmetry makes it difficult to describe without a ground plan. At the two far distant ends are colonnades with gray rocks and irregular green plantations beyond, and the lower end is a circle of matchless turf whose boundary is rock and shrubs. The upper part is a circle, too, formed by a rustic lattice of slender split branches over which grow Clematis Jackmanii, mauve Sweet-peas and other charming creepers, backed by Cedars and Pines. In the center are two pools fed by water that trickles from beneath the colonnade."
"A thousand foot rose garden was blasted out of granite rock. A long grass allee originated by the reflecting pool, was planted with 5,000 roses of many varieties. The allee ascended several levels of stone walls and steps and climaxed under a high granite cliff, where a splendid stone and ironwork balustrade and imposing pergola were located. Mr. James died in 1942, all the roses were dug and sold and nature moved in to sow her seeds."
Persons associated with the property include: Arthur Curtiss James (former owner, 1909-1940); Olmsted Brothers (landscape architects); John Greatorex (superintendent of grounds and landscape gardener); Harriet R. Foote (garden designer and rosarian); Peckham Brothers (contractors for rose garden); Hempstead of Boston (landscape contractors/superintendent); Edward Van Altena (lantern slide maker).
Related Materials:
Beacon Hill, RI related holdings consist of 3 folders (5 hand colored glass lantern slides; 35 35mm slides (photographs); 5 8X10 glass plate negatives)
Records related to this site can be found at the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site, Olmsted Job Number 03558, Arthur Curtiss James.
See others in:
Thomas Warren Sears photograph collection, 1900-1966.
Perry Wheeler Collection, ca. 1880-1984.
Richard Marchand historical postcard collection
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.
United States of America -- South Carolina -- Charleston County -- Charleston
Date:
1930
General:
Aerial view of America's oldest garden. Established by Henry Middleton and descendants, reflects 17th century European symmetry of design.
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.
Gardens -- South Carolina -- Charleston Search this
Collection Citation:
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.
United States of America -- South Carolina -- Charleston County -- Charleston
Date:
1930
General:
Aerial view of America's oldest garden. Established by Henry Middleton and his decendants. Reflects 17th century European symmetry of design.
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.
United States of America -- South Carolina -- Charleston County -- Charleston
Date:
1930
General:
Aerial view of America's oldest garden. Established by Henry Middleton and descendants. Reflects 17th century European symmetry.
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.
Gardens -- South Carolina -- Charleston Search this
Collection Citation:
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.
United States of America -- South Carolina -- Charleston County -- Charleston
Date:
1930
General:
Aerial view of America's oldest garden. Established by Henry Middleton and descendants. Reflects 17th century European symmetry of design.
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.
Gardens -- South Carolina -- Charleston Search this
Collection Citation:
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.
United States of America -- South Carolina -- Charleston County -- Charleston
Date:
1930
General:
Aerial View of America's oldest garden. Established by Henry Middleton and descendants. Reflects 17th century European symmetry of design.
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.
Gardens -- South Carolina -- Charleston Search this
Collection Citation:
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.
United States of America -- South Carolina -- Charleston County -- Charleston
Date:
1930
General:
Aerial view of America's oldest garden. Established by Henry Middleton and descendants. Reflects 17th century European symmetry of design.
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.
Gardens -- South Carolina -- Charleston Search this
Collection Citation:
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.
United States of America -- Texas -- Jefferson -- Beaumont
Scope and Contents:
33 digital images and 1 folder including worksheets, planting list, and other documentation.
General:
The original gardens for the Federal style house built in 1939 had privet hedges for privacy, beds of azaleas, and mature oak trees when the current owners began adding features in 1982. They maintained the formal symmetry that included parterres on either side of the house, added 300 clipped boxwoods along existing brick walkways, and established beds of camellias, hydrangeas, roses and other native plantings. There are three distinct garden areas: the street entrance garden in front of the house comprised of an open lawn with magnolias, oaks and perimeter beds; the drive entrance garden along the west side of the house with parterres, antique statues depicting the four seasons, crushed granite walkways, roses, azaleas, ferns and clipped jasmine shaded by a large oak. The third and largest garden behind the house, called the central garden, has a large lawn of St. Augustine grass bordered by clipped boxwoods. The surrounding gardens are rectangular and symmetrical and include camellias, fruit trees, blue plumbago, gardenias, hydrangeas, azaleas and other flowering trees and shrubs suited to the southern climate, some of which are planted in containers. Flowering vines including clematis, coral vine, passion vine, climbing roses and wisteria grow profusely on fences, iron trellises and the house. A bench marking the end of the central axis of the property has angel statues placed on either side, and there are other statues in the parterres.
This garden was damaged extensively by Hurricane Rita in 2005, which felled a large oak tree near the house in the central garden and also destroyed two rose gardens, container gardens, brick walkways and terraces and other shade plants. The hole left from the oak tree was transformed into a brick koi pond surrounded by jasmine and planted antique urns. The garden was restored to its formal symmetry once again in 2008 following damage from Hurricane Ike. One twenty-five-year-old climbing rose in this garden has survived both storms.
Persons associated with the garden include Captain Gerald Johnson (former owner, 1939-1941); Mr. and Mrs. Robert Robertson (former owners, 1941-1954); Mr. and Mrs. Joe Broussard (former owners, 1954-1982); and Steinman and Goldman (architects, 1939).
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.
The folder contains a work sheet; site plan; copies of photographs; and plant list.
General:
Behind a green wall of Nellie R. Stevens holly and Little Gem magnolias, an Italian Renaissance style villa and garden exists on one acre. The owners wanted to build a "forever" home and garden for themselves, children, and grandchildren. The garden incorporates a series of outdoor rooms in the European manner. Rectangular lead planters with formally clipped boxwood frame the wide entry steps to the house. A terrace of four colors of sandstone forms a three-dimensional effect as an approach to a porch. The core feature of this Italian Renaissance style garden, an allée of standard Natchez crepe myrtle and a linear parterre of clipped boxwood with Italian terra-cotta olive jars lies along its main axis. On the west side of the house, one enters a series of three different outdoor rooms connected by open iron gates. The first is centered by an oval parterre and a wall of espaliered pears and magnolias trained into an arch. The second outdoor room is a terrace of French limestone and a rectangular mosaic pool. The third room is an allée of Savannah hollies leading to the garden house. The formal back garden is centered by an allée of crepe myrtle joining the veranda to the magnolia-lined room, filled by the celadon mosaic swimming pool and cherub fountain. Off the central axis to the west, one walks down three grass steps to a sunken garden with bay laurel trees. The east sunken garden mirrors the west in symmetry, but has a thick lawn of fescue grass. The back garden to the east of the pool is a sun-filled parterre of boxwood for summer vegetables, herbs, and flowers. A surrounding circle of ten-foot tall iron pillars hosts repeat blooming white Sombreuil roses trained into swags by chains connecting the pillars. An allée of East Palatka holly exists on the east side of the property with crushed stone walkway.
People associated with this property include: Richard Robertson (architect, 1995-2000); and Paul Fields, ASLA of Lambert Landscape Company (landscape architect, 2000-2007).
Related Materials:
Sands Garden related holdings consist of 1 folder (19 35 mm. slides)
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.