synopsis
Although Olmsted and Vaux submitted multiple reports during a 5-year partnership with Fairmount Park from 1867-71, their proposals were not executed as plans. Acting as advising and consulting Landscape Gardeners and Architects, they discussed in an 1867 report enlarging the park and acquiring the area of George’s Hill
Although Olmsted and Vaux submitted multiple reports during a 5-year partnership with Fairmount Park from 1867-71, their proposals were not executed as plans. Acting as advising and consulting Landscape Gardeners and Architects, they discussed in an 1867 report enlarging the park and acquiring the area of George’s Hill, writing, “A City Park to deserve the name, must be a well balanced, artistic composition, and the first aim of the Commissioners should therefore be to secure additional territory” The park was eventually extended, and divided by the Schuylkill River into an Eastern and Western section. Correspondence from Fairmount Park in 1902 interestingly discloses that the President of the Board asked the Olmsted Brothers for a reference on former employee, Oglesby Paul, who was under consideration for the position of Landscape Gardener - a role he ultimately received. Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. replied, “Mr. Paul certainly lacks experience in dealing with men, and any extended experience in designing, withough [sic] he has a good theoretical knowledge of park work and I believe a good deal of practical knowledge of garden and greenhouse work, and he has, in addition, a great deal of gumption.”
Fairmount Park is perhaps most famous as the site for the 1876 Centennial Exposition. [OV&Co to Park Commission of Philadelphia_1867_FLO Papers-v.6-p.23] [FLO Jr. to CWHenry_1902-11-11_LOC-OAR-B_00121-im.15]
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