Project Details Page

synopsis

Although Frederick Law Olmsted first drew a plan for the Newport, RI, property in 1885 for William Dorsheimer, he did not begin work on the project for another 5 years. Dorsheimer’s untimely death delayed the plans until the house was purchased by Englishman Joseph Busk. Working with Richard Morris Hunt as architect, Olmsted transformed the grounds around the Queen-Anne style house.

Although Frederick Law Olmsted first drew a plan for the Newport, RI, property in 1885 for William Dorsheimer, he did not begin work on the project for another 5 years. Dorsheimer’s untimely death delayed the plans until the house was purchased by Englishman Joseph Busk. Working with Richard Morris Hunt as architect, Olmsted transformed the grounds around the Queen-Anne style house. The steep grade of the property separated the house and road, Ocean Avenue, by 50 feet. The 1892 preliminary plan showed a horseshoe driveway at the end of a long winding approach and ledge outcroppings surrounded by evergreen shrubs (plan 01299-16 front).

The property was later purchased by James Francis Aloysius Clark and James O’Donnell, in 1920 and 1948 respectively. The house, known as “Indian Spring” and “Wrentham”, was restored in 2006.

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