Last updated: June 18, 2024
Place
Westbrook
Olmsted Archives
Quick Facts
In 1886, William Bayard Cutting hired Frederick Law Olmsted to provide landscaping advice around his picturesque, Tudor style mansion, which he called Westbrook. Olmsted wanted to highlight the already natural beauty of the site, like the dense woods, marshy lowlands, and rolling meadows, which gave the site an English park-like effect. Closer to the home, Olmsted advised against formal plantings, but instead the inclusion of varied shrubs, to take advantage of river views.
While limited plans exist for Westbrook, an 1887 preliminary plan shows a densely planted perimeter with scattered shrubs around the lawn. Correspondence from 1893 reveals Olmsted suggested pushing back the entrance gate from the road and planting white flowers and evergreens along the gate. In 1936, the estate was donated to the Long Island Park Commission, and now serves as an arboretum and farm open to the public.
Source: "Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park," The Cultural Landscape Foundation
For more information and primary resources, please visit:
Olmsted Research Guide Online
Olmsted Archives on Flickr
Olmsted Online
While limited plans exist for Westbrook, an 1887 preliminary plan shows a densely planted perimeter with scattered shrubs around the lawn. Correspondence from 1893 reveals Olmsted suggested pushing back the entrance gate from the road and planting white flowers and evergreens along the gate. In 1936, the estate was donated to the Long Island Park Commission, and now serves as an arboretum and farm open to the public.
Source: "Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park," The Cultural Landscape Foundation
For more information and primary resources, please visit:
Olmsted Research Guide Online
Olmsted Archives on Flickr
Olmsted Online