Object Details
Landscape architect
Meacham, George F., 1831-1917
Civil engineer
Slade, James
Forester
Galvin, John
Collection Compiler
Weller, Eleanor
Collection Citation
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, Eleanor Weller Reade collection.
sova.aag.ecw_ref5257
General
Correspondence written on verso. Postcard postmarked August 24, 192?, published by M. Abrams, Roxbury, Mass. Caption on verso.
The Boston Public Garden was established in 1837 and encompasses about 24 acres in the heart of the city. Along with the Boston Common it forms the northern end of the Emerald Necklace, Frederick Law Olmsted's grand design for a string of parks running from downtown Boston to Franklin Park. The park developed informally until 1859, when a plan by George F. Meacham was finally selected to provide a more formal design. City engineer James Slade and forester John Galvin made modifications to the plan and laid out the paths and plantings. A highlight of the design is the pond or lagoon, home to the iconic Swan Boats, which began operating in 1877. Parterres, other flower beds and planting areas, statues, and numerous specimen trees are featured landscape elements. The Public Garden was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987.
Persons associated with the garden include George F. Meacham (landscape architect, 1859); James Slade (civil engineer, ca. 1860); and John Galvin (forester, ca. 1860).
Place
United States of America -- Massachusetts -- Suffolk County -- Boston
Boston Public Garden (Boston, Massachusetts)
Topic
Gardens -- Massachusetts -- Boston
Landscape architect
Meacham, George F., 1831-1917
Civil engineer
Slade, James
Forester
Galvin, John
See more items in
Eleanor Weller collection
Eleanor Weller collection / Postcards / United States / ECW035: Massachusetts
Extent
2 Lantern slides
Archival Repository
Archives of American Gardens
Identifier
AAG.ECW, Item ECW035006
Type
Archival materials
Lantern slides
Picture postcards
Collection Rights
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Bibliography
Garden has been featured in Mary M. B. Wakefield, "The Boston Public Garden, Showcase of the City," Arnoldia, Vol. 48, No. 3 (Summer 1988), pp. 32-47. Garden has been featured in Anne Bernays, "The Green Heart of the Hub," The New York Times (Sunday, May 17, 1998), p. 10TR+.
Genre/Form
Picture postcards
Collection Restrictions
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
AAG.ECW_ref5257
Large EAD
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kb61e1b09b3-11b5-40f0-8f37-a79fce30d0be
AAG.ECW
AAG
Record ID
ebl-1759780200629-1759780228049-3