Last updated: May 24, 2024
Place
Arthur G Dunn Estate
Olmsted Archives, Job #06171, Seattle, WA
Quick Facts
In 1915, Arthur Dunn hired Olmsted Brothers to choose a location for his summer cottage on his 10-acre tract in Seattle, as well as develop a landscape plan for it. Olmsted Brothers got lucky as they were already designing Dunn’s neighbors’ property, and the two ended up sharing an entry drive. Olmsted Brothers worked to enhance existing features of the site by implementing a curvilinear drive through the on-site native conifer forest, as well as providing views of the Puget Sound, and paths through the woods and along a natural ravine at the edge of the property.
Today, Olmsted Brothers’ design is still visible. The border of the Great Lawn follows the original plan, and deciduous trees planted by Dunn himself are still present. The curvilinear drive and footpaths still remain as well, and, now known as Dunn Gardens, it is the only private Olmsted-designed gardens in Seattle open to the public.
Source, "Dunn Gardens," The Cultural Landscape Foundation
For more information and primary resources, please visit:
Olmsted Research Guide Online
Olmsted Archives on Flickr
Olmsted Network
Today, Olmsted Brothers’ design is still visible. The border of the Great Lawn follows the original plan, and deciduous trees planted by Dunn himself are still present. The curvilinear drive and footpaths still remain as well, and, now known as Dunn Gardens, it is the only private Olmsted-designed gardens in Seattle open to the public.
Source, "Dunn Gardens," The Cultural Landscape Foundation
For more information and primary resources, please visit:
Olmsted Research Guide Online
Olmsted Archives on Flickr
Olmsted Network