Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)

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Frederick Law Olmsted

Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903) is recognized as the founder of American landscape architecture and the nation's foremost parkmaker. Olmsted moved his home to suburban Boston in 1883 and established the world's first full-scale professional office for the practice of landscape design. During the next century, his sons and successors perpetuated Olmsted's design ideals, philosophy, and influence.

Park Closure : Preservation Project at Olmsted NHS

Frederick Law Olmsted NHS is currently CLOSED to visitors in order to carry out a construction project involving park buildings, grounds and collections. The park anticipates reopening in 2010.

Learn about the project >>

Olmsted Archives

The Olmsted Archives is currently available on a limited basis for use by researchers during the site’s closure - call 617-566-1689 or click here for details. For access to the Olmsted Research Guide Online (ORGO), visit www.rediscov.com/olmsted. ORGO is an internet accessible database of information about existing records relating to Olmsted design work.

Things to do

During the site's closure the staff will continue to offer a variety of programs that interpret the legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted. The site offers programs throughout the Boston area from walks of local Olmsted landscapes to multimedia presentations for special groups. more...

A student at Boston's O'Hearn Elementary School, designs a park as part of the Good Neighbors program

What's on!

Good Neighbors: Landscape Design and Community Building

Long before the "No Child Left Inside" movement, there was Frederick Law Olmsted. The 19th-century landscape architect designed public parks to promote the physical health and spiritual well-being of individuals, and to build a sense of community among the city dwellers who used his public pleasure grounds. Frederick Law Olmsted NHS is working to advance this legacy through Good Neighbors: Landscape Design and Community Building, an interdisciplinary, place-based education program that introduces third graders to the work of Frederick Law Olmsted and the value of public parks. Students learn that thoughtfully-designed landscapes strengthen communities, and the future of public parks depends on the active involvement of the public sector and private citizens.

Good Neighbors Teacher Institute July 13-16, 2009 Join scholars, educators, landscape architects, and park staff for a four-day Good Neighbors institute. Acquire content, skills, curriculum materials, and a network of resource experts to help you integrate this innovative, interdisciplinary program into your grade three curriculum.

Write to

Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site
99 Warren Street
Brookline, Massachusetts 02445

E-mail Us

Phone

Visitor Information & Park Headquarters
(617) 566-1689

Fax

(617) 232-4073

Climate

New England enjoys four distinct seasons and the weather is known to be highly variable. Summers can be pleasant or hot and humid. Winters can be moderate or frigid and snowy. Dressing in layers is advisable, as the temperature can drop significantly from day to night, even in summer, and breezes can be chilly.