Frederick Law Olmsted exhibits at Raymond Library

The East Hartford Public Library is proud to host two exhibits celebrating the Hartford native Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903) in this 202^nd anniversary month of his birth (born April 26, 1822). Olmsted, who is considered the father of American landscape architecture, had close family connections to East Hartford and was the great nephew of Revolutionary War mariner, Gideon Olmsted.

 

The first exhibit highlights achievements in Olmsted's lengthy career, beginning with his appreciation of the restorative qualities of nature developed through his early excursions into Connecticut's beautiful scenery, among them afternoons spent under East Hartford's majestic elm trees in his grandparents yard. Exhibit panels include text and photos of his plan for Central Park, his campaigns to preserve Niagara Falls and Yosemite, designs for the U.S. Capitol grounds and numerous parks, campuses and communities across the United States.

 

The second exhibit more closely examines several Hartford and Bridgeport park projects of the Olmsted Firm through archival postcards and photographs.  His firm completed more than 6,000 projects throughout the country from 1857 to 1979, including nearly 300 in Connecticut.

 

Both exhibits are currently hanging in the Raymond Library atrium and will remain on display through May 5, 2024. The exhibits may be viewed during the library’s open hours: Monday and Friday, 9 am to 5 pm; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 9 am to 8 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm and Sunday, 1 pm to 5 pm. The Raymond Library is located at 840 Main Street, East Hartford. There is no charge.