Olmsted, John Charles, 1852-1920

John C. Olmsted (1852-1920), sequentially nephew, stepson and business partner of Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903). Trained at Yale Scientific School, graduating in 1875, he apprenticed with the elder Olmsted in professional practice as a landscape architect. During the subsequent three decades, the Olmsted firm became established as the premier landscape design office in the United States. Throughout this period, John Charles Olmsted assumed responsibility for the administration of the office while traveling on design work throughout the United States and Canada. Joined in practice in the 1890s by Charles Eliot (1859-1897) and his stepbrother Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. (1870-1957), the volume and quality of John Charles Olmsted's contribution to the firm's projected designs, realized works and reputation is incalculable. Among Olmsted's most significant work are park systems developed for Portland [Oregon], Seattle, Spokane, and Charleston, as well as New Orleans' Audubon Park. He continued park planning initiated by the senior Olmsted in Boston, Buffalo, Louisville and Chicago, among numerous other sites. Active in professional associations, Olmsted was also a founding member of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

From the description of Papers of John Charles Olmsted. 1860 ca.-1920. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 188581018

Olmsted was a landscape architect and senior member of the firm of Olmsted Brothers in Brookline, Mass.

From the description of Scrapbook : clippings, [ca. 1875-1914] (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 612878533

Historical Note

Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903), known as the "father of American landscape architecture," designed and planned parks and park systems throughout the United States. His earliest designs, completed with partner Calvert Vaux, include New York's Central Park, Brooklyn's Prospect Park, and Chicago's South Parks.

Olmsted's stepson and son, John Charles Olmsted and Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. became landscape architects as well, working in Olmsted's firm. The two formed the Olmsted Brothers firm in 1898, after the retirement of Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. and the death of partner Charles Eliot. The Olmsted Brothers completed numerous large projects, including comprehensive park systems, universities, exposition grounds, libraries, hospitals, and state capitols. In addition, the two were among the founding members of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

From the guide to the Olmsted Brothers Collection, n.d., 1913-1916, (Environmental Design Archives.)

John Charles Olmsted (1852-1920), sequentially nephew, stepson and business partner of Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903). Trained at the Yale Scientific School, graduating in 1875, he apprenticed with the elder Olmsted in professional practice as a landscape architect. During the subsequent three decades, the Olmsted firm became securely established as the premier landscape design office in the United States; their hundreds of commissions and projects ranged from private gardens to large-scale institutional planning and municipal park systems. Throughout this period, John Charles Olmsted assumed responsibility for the administration of the office while traveling extensively on design work throughout the United States and Canada. By the time of his death in 1920, the office’s clients numbered more than 3500 since its founding; a figure due, in no small measure, to John Charles Olmsted’s skills as both a designer and a meticulous administrator. Joined in practice in the 1890s by Charles Eliot (1859-1897) and his stepbrother Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. (1870-1957), the volume and quality of John Charles Olmsted’s contribution to the firm’s projected designs, realized works and reputation is incalculable.

Among Olmsted’s most significant work are park systems developed for Portland, Maine and Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Spokane, and Charleston, as well as New Orleans’ Audubon Park. He continued park planning initiated by the senior Olmsted in Boston, Buffalo, Louisville, and Chicago, among numerous other sites. Active in a number of professional associations, Olmsted was also a founding member of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

From the guide to the Papers of John Charles Olmsted. 1860 ca.-1920., (Special Collections, Frances Loeb Library, Harvard Design School)