Olmsted Brothers

The Olmsted Brothers firm was formed in 1898 by John Charles Olmsted and Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. These two stepbrothers were the son and stepson of Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr., an early American landscape architect and designer of New York's Central Park. The Olmsted Brothers completed numerous large projects, including comprehensive park systems, universities, exposition grounds, libraries, hospitals, and state capitols. The two stepbrothers were also among the founding members of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

From the description of Olmsted Brothers collection, n.d., 1913-1916. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 83269427

Landscape architecture firm, Brookline, Massachusetts.

Olmsted Brothers, comprised of John C. and Federick Law Olmsted, was a nationally recognized landscape architecture firm established in 1858 by Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. Along with other important landscape design projects throughout the country, the firm made significant contributions to the planning and development of the University of Washington campus. In 1903 the UW Board of Regents requested that Olmsted Brothers create a proposal for the development of the the campus over time that would be in keeping with the firm's proposed Seattle city park system. In 1909 Olmsted Brothers was again hired to draw up a proposal for the development of lower campus as the site of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition. In 1911 the University requested recommendations for campus improvement. The firm's involvement with the University ended in 1914.

From the description of Olmsted Brothers records, 1903-1915. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 47866933

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.)

Olmsted brothers, comprised of John C. and Federick Law Olmsted, was a nationally recognized landscape architecture firm established in 1858 by Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. and based in Brookline, Massachusetts. Although the firm was involved in urban improvement schemes across America, one of its significant contributions was to the development of the University of Washington campus.

In the spring of 1903 the University of Washington Board of Regents asked John C. Olmsted to make a preliminary scheme of improvements to the University of Washington campus which would be "in harmony with the proposed park system of the city and which can be used to guide all important construction and planting on the University grounds for years to come."

The initial development plan presented by John Olmsted in 1904 would never be implemented fully, although aspects of his proposals were revised and used in later years. The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, however, held in Seattle in 1909, gave impetus to the Olmsted role in campus design. The decision to locate the Exposition on the lower part of the University of Washington grounds provided new opportunities to develop the campus. Olmsted Brothers was employed by the Board of Trustees to draw up proposals for the site, which the firm was familiar with from its previous studies.

Olmsted Brothers was employed by the University of Washington again in 1911 to develop plans for campus improvement. Following various disagreements with the Board of Regents and faculty members, however, the firm's involvement with the University came to an end in 1914.

From the guide to the Olmsted Brothers Records, 1903-1915, (University of Washington Libraries Special Collections)

"Beginning in 1857 with the design for Central Park in New York City, Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903), his sons and successor firm created designs for more than 6,000 landscapes across North America, including many of the world's most important parks. Olmsted's remarkable design legacy includes Prospect Park in Brooklyn, Boston's Emerald Necklace, Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, Mount Royal in Montreal, the grounds of the United States Capitol and the White House, and Washington Park, Jackson Park and the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 in Chicago. Olmsted's sons were founding members of the American Society of Landscape Architects and played an influential role in the creation of the National Park Service." ("About the Olmsted Legacy")

After Frederick Law Olmsted's retirement, the firm he started was renamed "Olmsted Brothers, Landscape Architects" from 1898-1962. It was briefly known as "Olmsted Associates, Landscape Architects" before operating as "Olmsted Associates, Inc." from 1963-1979. ("Chronology of the Olmsted Firm 1857-1979")

Bibliography:

National Association for Olmsted Parks. "About the Olmsted Legacy." Accessed December 30, 2011. http://www.olmsted.org/the-olmsted-legacy/about-the-olmsted-legacy

National Association for Olmsted Parks. "Chronology of the Olmsted Firm 1857-1979." Accessed December 30, 2011. http://www.olmsted.org/the-olmsted-legacy/the-olmsted-firm/chronology-of-the-olmsted-firm-18571979

From the guide to the Olmsted Landscape Firm Collection, circa 1980-2010, (Chestnut Hill Historical Society)