Tomorrow (Friday) will be a sad day in Chicago. It will mark the closing of Hull House, the pioneering social service agency started in 1889 by the extraordinary Jane Addams.
To counter-balance the blues at this news, I am posting some pix of my trip to a structure honoring another pioneer: the landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. Here are a few views of his House, Office & Garden (Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site - U.S. National Park Service...won't link) from my December 2011 trip to Brookline, MA. We were lucky enough to be the only ones on the tour (a Monday before Xmas) and to have an endlessly patient guide as we snapped tons of pix and asked detailed questions. The place has been closed for years as it undergoes reconstruction, but while not complete, is open for tours. So go make your pilgrimage!
Above, our Ranger (Mark?) points out the Hemlock planted when Olmsted moved into the house in 1883. These two below show documentation of the maturation process of Olmsted's Emerald Necklace around Boston.
The changing technology fascinated us. Here Mark demonstrates the process before Xerox became a generic term. This contraption was used to expose the drawings to light on a rainy day...otherwise they would be set outside the window to be developed by the sun.
I was relieved to see Olmsted's method for storing old plans didn't differ much from mine. Computer storage means that for some future pioneers, we may lose the types of beautiful & historic landscape drawings exhibited in this house and kept in the archives.
3 comments:
just catching up here! Bad news on two fronts: your ankle and Hull House. Ugh to both. But the Olmstead visit sounds wonderful.
I'm a great fan of Olmsted. The trip to his house etc must have been fascinating. I love seeing the messy plan storage.
Linda: yes, ugh to both, but at least I am making progress. And Altoon: Olmsted tour was fascinating in so many different ways. Guess that happens with substance...
Post a Comment