Echoes of the Olmsted Elm Dale Broholm Essay

Job #673, 00673-02-ph102 400 dpi206, F.L. Olmsted, Brookline, MA

Olmsted Archives

What I found interesting about the Olmsted Elm was that everyone who came in contact with the tree had some kind of story or connection to it. Charlie Pepper at the Olmsted Center told me about the potential of the tree being available to the Witness Tree Project. During the course of our conversation it became clear that this was a very special tree to him and many others. When I met with the NPS staff at Fairsted to introduce the Project, the significance of the tree to both the staff and neighborhood was shown in a very emotional way. The elm was clearly near and dear to many people. When the tree was cut down, the media attention, visitation by neighbors and others to say goodbye was impressive.

The sawyer, Brian Brown from Artisan Lumber was thrilled to have a chance to cut the logs. He had trained as a landscape architect and held a deep respect for Olmsted and his work. During the days I spent out at the mill observing the processing, Brian was always speaking of Olmsted’s legacy, the importance of his work and the significance of this lumber in the class.

Job #673, 00673-01-p19 400 dpi356, F.L. Olmsted, Brookline, MA

Olmsted Archives

When the class made the visit to the site, I felt like the students really responded to the importance of the tree both in Olmsted’s mind (how he had designed around it when he first moved to Brookline) and its place in the character of the neighborhood. I think they understood the impact of its removal and the loss that was being experienced. At the time of the visit the stump was still intact and it was interesting to watch the students engage with it, (the stump being a register of time and events, plus a direct connection the Olmsted himself).

When folks with no connection to the Project heard about the tree there was always a response. Stories told about time in Olmsted’s parks, how much they loved the elm tree and felt the loss due to the disease and more. It was very surprising the impact that this one tree had on so many.

The objects that the students created were for the most part rich content relating to Olmsted the man and his work. I think that the students really embraced the assignments and seriously investigated Olmsted, his work and how the parks helped change the face of America’s landscape. With the opening of the exhibition the tree’s legacy will continue and I’m sure more stories will be created by the viewing audience as they connect and interpret with the objects.

Dale Broholm
Senior Critic
Department of Furniture Design