The graphics on this page, and almost all the other pages at the Parkway web site, were graciously donated by Carlton Abbott. That fact alone justifies a special thank-you, but Carlton's ties to the Parkway go beyond artwork.
Months before the Blue Ridge Parkway officially became a national park, Carlton's father, Stanley Abbott, was busy planning a "scenic motor road" through the mountains. As the Parkway's first landscape architect, Stanley's design involved a vision and philosophy of a highway designed to "fit the land like a glove." The result was a parkway so enjoyable that it has attracted more than 600 million visitors.
Carlton Abbott opened
business with his father in 1965, where he learned his father's talent for blending
architecture with the physical and cultural landscape of a site. His contributions to
innovative architectural design have earned him induction into the prestigious College of
Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. Closer to the Parkway his work includes a
model program to join the Parkway and local developers in minimizing the visual impact of
neighboring construction, and also the design of the proposed Blue Ridge Music Center at
Fisher's Peak (Milepost 213).
Many of the intricate details of the music center are gathered from the photographs and
drawings you see on these pages. They represent the blending of traditional styles and
artful construction that are typical of both Stanley and Carlton Abbott, and we are
grateful that we could share some of those visions with our web visitors.
http://www.nps.gov/blri/abbott.htm
Revised 01/26/1999
For more information, contact Peter_Givens@nps.gov