• The Planting/Print Room at Olmsted NHS

    Frederick Law Olmsted

    National Historic Site Massachusetts

Designing an American Landscape

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.

Did You Know?

Group of firm members at the employee entrance

Frank Lloyd Wright Jr., who followed his father into the field of architecture, apprenticed at the Olmsted firm and specialized in horticulture and botany.