Waterford -- Harkness Memorial State Park

Harkness Memorial State Park focuses around "Eolia," the 200+ acre summer home of Edward S. and Mary Harkness. Built in 1906 and purchased by the Harknesses in 1907, the Roman Renaissance Revival-style mansion is complemented by an Italianate garden (also known as the West Garden) originally designed by the Boston firm of Brett & Hall. From about 1918 to the 1930s noted landscape architect Beatrix Jones Farrand transformed a tennis court into an Oriental garden (also known as the East Garden) to showcase the owners' collection of Chinese and Korean statuary. She also replanted the Italianate garden. When Mrs. Harkness died in 1950, the property was left to the State of Connecticut, which established it as a state park in 1952. An extensive renovation of the mansion and gardens began in 1996. Hardscaping, including four fountains and fencing, was restored or re-built to be compatible with the original specifications of the Brett & Hall and Farrand plans. Gardens were restored to their original planting designs with shrubs, trees, perennials and annuals.

Persons and firms associated with the garden include: Edward S. and Mary Harkness (former owners, 1907-1950); Brett & Hall (landscape architects, ca. 1910); and Beatrix Jones Farrand (landscape architect, 1918-1930s).