Garden History draws on “The Commons” a collection of historical photos from institutions from around the world. According to Flickr:
The Commons was launched on January 16 2008, when Flickr released our pilot project in partnership with The Library of Congress. Both Flickr and the Library were overwhelmed by the positive response to the project! Thank you!
The program has two main objectives:
- To increase access to publicly-held photography collections, and
- To provide a way for the general public to contribute information and knowledge. (Then watch what happens when they do!)
It’s hard to tell from this photo what exactly these plants are. I suppose they could be iris, or daylily or some combination of both. It looks to be a wetland area, from the choice of plants. Since it appears from the description to have been designed by Fredrick Law Olmstead, I guess that it explains its naturalistic design and execution. There are lovely foreground, mid and background elements creating a complete “scene” in the garden.
I always find it enlightening to look back on contemporary pictures of older gardens. Gardens change so much over time and it is almost assured that this garden looks entirely different today, if it still exists at all.
Several online sources say that Killenworth is “Now country home of the Russian delegation to the UN.” — perhaps since the late 1950’s.
Johnston, Frances Benjamin,, 1864-1952,, photographer.
[“Killenworth,” George Dupont Pratt house, Glen Cove, New York. Flower garden]
[ca. 1918]
1 photograph : glass lantern slide, hand-colored ; 3.25 x 4 in.
Notes:
Site History. House Architecture: Trowbridge & Ackerman, 1908-1913. Landscape: James Leal Greenleaf, circa 1913. Site and drive planning in “Dosoris,” the Pratt family compound with houses belonging to the children of Charles Pratt, Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., Olmsted Brothers, 1906. John F. Johnson, gardener; J.V. Bonnell, installation; and Lewis & Valentine, New York, N.Y. Associated Name: Helen Sherman (Mrs. George D.) Pratt. Today: House of the Russian Delegation to the United Nations. Garden subdivided.
Title, date, and subject information provided by Sam Watters, 2011.
Forms part of: Garden and historic house lecture series in the Frances Benjamin Johnston Collection (Library of Congress).
Rights Info: No known restrictions on publication.
Repository: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA,hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print
Higher resolution image is available (Persistent URL): hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ppmsca.16553
Call Number: LC-J717-X105- 15
Previously in Garden History:
Now country home of the Russian delegation to the UN.