Last updated: June 5, 2024
Place
Caumsett
Olmsted Archives
Quick Facts
Location:
Lloyd Neck, NY
Significance:
Olmsted Designed Estate
Beginning in 1921, Marshall Field purchased more than two thousand-acres of abandoned farmlands and woodlands to transform into his country estate. He named his estate Caumsett, which in the local Matinecock Tribe, translates to place by sharp rock. Field chose architect John Russell Pope to design his Georgian Manor house, with Pope turning to Olmsted Brothers to assist in landscaping the mansion’s surroundings.
Percival Gallagher was chosen to lead this design, and beginning in 1925, he began planting a courtyard and northern terrace edges with massive specimen trees. To the west, Gallagher created a circular garden with broad steps leading to another garden, this one focused on flowers enclosed by hedges. Gallagher also transformed a natural ravine into a picturesque pond, adding a shrub lined path leading to the water.
Source: "Caumsett Historic State Park Preserve," The Cultural Landscape Foundation
For more information and primary resources, please visit:
Olmsted Research Guide Online
Olmsted Archives on Flickr
Percival Gallagher was chosen to lead this design, and beginning in 1925, he began planting a courtyard and northern terrace edges with massive specimen trees. To the west, Gallagher created a circular garden with broad steps leading to another garden, this one focused on flowers enclosed by hedges. Gallagher also transformed a natural ravine into a picturesque pond, adding a shrub lined path leading to the water.
Source: "Caumsett Historic State Park Preserve," The Cultural Landscape Foundation
For more information and primary resources, please visit:
Olmsted Research Guide Online
Olmsted Archives on Flickr