Olmsted NHS Events

Join us for the Olmsted bicentennial year!

More to come soon and be sure to follow us on social media.
Learn more about the greater Boston effort: Olmsted Now and the national effort: Olmsted 200.

Third Wednesday of the month, 6-7 pm (virtual). Olmsted Now: Public Dialogues.
Each third Wednesday of the month, Olmsted Now invites the community to a public dialogue on shared use, shared health and shared power in parks and public spaces. These hour-long discussions are a platform to explore our bicentennial themes through the perspective of a guiding community voice.. Learn more and sign up here.

March 30 to April 2- Olmsteds: Landscapes and Legacies
Frederick Law Olmsted NHS in partnership with the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT), will host a three-day symposium, held in Boston, home to the Emerald Necklace, Olmsted’s last great public project.

April 26- Frederick Law Olmsted Sr.’s 200^th birthday. Events are scheduled around the country, but keep an eye here to see how we will celebrate at Fairsted. Follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) for special video releases.

June 14- Olmsted and Golf: Join us for panel conversation on a wide-ranging thoughts about Olmsted’s impact on each of golf course architects, more broadly his influence on golf design in general, and the role of golf and recreation in Olmsted-designed parks. More information to come!
This discussion will be in line for the U.S. Open Championship June 13 to 19 hosted at The Country Club in Brookline. Our sister site, John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site, will also join in on the celebration, with JFK being the avid golfer he was.

May through October- Parks as Platforms throughout the season:
Shared Health Saturdays- Exciting offerings to get the body moving are coming to a local park near you.
Shared Use Saturdays- Parks are for everyone, and Olmsted wanted them used to strenthen our democracy.
Shared Power Saturdays- By working together in our parks, we strenghten our community.

 

To be the first to know, join our email list.

 

RECENT PROGRAMMING
September 25, 2021
National Public Lands Day- Weed Warriors

Join us in celebrating Public Lands day and volunteer for a fun day of stewardship at the Green Hill Property. Volunteers will help restore and maintain our Green Hill Property by removing invasive plants such as Porcelain berry and Canada thistle, as well as pitching in with stewardship tasks like mulching and weeding.
The Green Hill parcel is 5 acres of land neighboring Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site that is integral to the story of the Olmsteds in Brookline. Our natural resources team works on restoring the New England meadow that once bordered Fairsted's South Lawn. While weeding, we will be learning about how our work will impact the future of the site.
All experience levels are welcomed, following the safety and event guidelines. Tools and training will be provided.

 

September 26, 6:30 pm
Movie Night on the South Lawn

Pop your popcorn, pull up a blanket, and enjoy a screening of Hoot on Fairsted’s South Lawn. Celebrate the conservation work of Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. of the Everglades in Florida with New Line Cinema's Hoot featuring kids taking on crooked politicians and greedy developers to save endangered owls threatened by a construction project. Rated PG, Run time 91 minutes.
It's free to join and registration is not required.

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Saturday, October 2, 11 am
Growing Up Kennedy: A Neighborhood Walk

Join us as we explore the neighborhood where JFK grew up for the first ten years of his life. The tour is approximately one hour long and will meet in front of John Fitzgerald Kennedy NHS (83 Beals Street, Brookline, MA.) Total walking distance is 1.8 miles.

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Saturday, October 9, 9 am
Jamaica Pond Photo Walk

Bring your camera and capture the vibrant fall colors in the morning light as we explore the history of this Olmsted landscape. Talking walking distance is approximately 1.5 miles.

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Saturday, October 16, 1pm
Growing Up Kennedy: A Neighborhood Walk
Join us as we explore the neighborhood where JFK grew up for the first ten years of his life. The tour is approximately one hour long and will meet in front of John Fitzgerald Kennedy NHS (83 Beals Street, Brookline, MA.) Total walking distance is 1.8 miles.

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Saturday, October 23, 10 am
"Brother-Artists" Olmsted and Richardson
Join us for a short walk and talk about the collaboration and friendship between the famous Brookline locals, landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and architect H.H. Richardson, at their shared design of the Thomas Crane Library and its grounds.

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Saturday, October 30, 10 am and 2 pm

The Well-Equipped Witch: The Science of Sorcery
Come take a walk around the Fairsted Grounds and see the plants used in traditional witchcraft and learn about the scientific basis for their use. Also learn about using plants to protect yourself from any witches (and there probably will be a few) lurking in the shrubbery!

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Saturday, November 13, 1 pm
A Walk through the Back Bay

Walk through the Back Bay Fens, and learn about the project that first brought Frederick Law Olmsted to Boston, and why he chose to stay.

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Saturday, November 20, 10 am
BARK Ranger in Franklin Park

Join our walk in the wildnerness of Franklin Park and have a positive experience with your pet. Learn about the B.A.R.K. principles so you and your pet can have a seafe and fun visit anytime you are in an Olmsted (or non) park. This program is part of the Healthy People Healthy Parks Initiative. B.A.R.K. stands for Bag your pet’s waste Always leash your pet Respect wildlife Know where you can go.

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Saturday, November 27, 1 pm
Learn and Burn: Blue Hills
Lace up your hiking boots and traverse the Blue Hills while discovering the design and conservation of the tallest mountain within 10 miles of the Atlantic Ocean.

 

Thursday, December 2, 2021 7:00–8:30pm (EST)

FRIENDS OF FAIRSTED LECTURE SERIES
Beauty, Efficiency, and Economy: A Life of Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., Landscape Architect, Planner and Conservationist

A talk by Elizabeth Hope Cushing, landscape historian
Programs - Friends of Fairsted