Last updated: June 5, 2024
Place
Eugene D. Nims Estate
Olmsted Archives
Quick Facts
Location:
Woods Hole, MA
Significance:
Olmsted Designed Estate
MANAGED BY:
Privately Owned
In 1929, Eugene D. Nims contacted Olmsted Brothers to do extensive landscape planning on his estate in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Nims wanted his property divided into lots, and bridle paths created through surrounding shrubs. Nims also wanted his vegetable garden moved closer to his house, integrating the steep eastern bluff, the house, and the surrounding land.
From Olmsted Brothers, L.H. Zack was tasked with beginning the survey of the property and taking photographs, used by firm members who couldn’t travel to the site. As requested, the plan divided the property into six lots, with a second driveway added to access neighboring lots.
Zack also used topographical maps to decide where bridlepaths were to be done. Zack also suggested that one path go along the edge of a nearby pond, just below the house to the East. Over time the paths were cut, though it is unknown if the edge of the pond was as densely packed with vegetation as Zack suggested. Except for the minimal staking of the paths, nothing of Olmsted Brothers’ plan was executed.
Source: "The American Gardens of Lotawana Nims," Woods Hole Historical Museum
For more information and primary resources, please visit:
Olmsted Research Guide Online
Olmsted Archives on Flickr
From Olmsted Brothers, L.H. Zack was tasked with beginning the survey of the property and taking photographs, used by firm members who couldn’t travel to the site. As requested, the plan divided the property into six lots, with a second driveway added to access neighboring lots.
Zack also used topographical maps to decide where bridlepaths were to be done. Zack also suggested that one path go along the edge of a nearby pond, just below the house to the East. Over time the paths were cut, though it is unknown if the edge of the pond was as densely packed with vegetation as Zack suggested. Except for the minimal staking of the paths, nothing of Olmsted Brothers’ plan was executed.
Source: "The American Gardens of Lotawana Nims," Woods Hole Historical Museum
For more information and primary resources, please visit:
Olmsted Research Guide Online
Olmsted Archives on Flickr