Daily Archives: April 19, 2012

Saturday, May 19, 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm – Walk Through the Hunnewell Pinetum

by

Enjoy the glories of spring on Saturday, May 19 as the Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture lead a walk to the shores of Lake Waban where the College property borders the Walter Hunnewell Estate. There David Dusenbury, Superintendent of the property, will lead us on an approximately 90 minute walking tour of the historic Pinetum. The Pinetum, or collection of pine trees, was started in 1866 by Horatio Hollis Hunnewell, founder and creator of the estate, originally called Wellesley after his wife, Isabella Welles Hunnewell. The cultivation and care of this world-class tree collection has continued through four generations of the Hunnewell family to the present day. Wellesley’s pines have a history and pedigree worthy of any family tree. The 10-acre area includes more than 350 specimen conifers representing approximately 150 varieties ranging in age from a few years to 140-plus. Features include spectacular mature specimens of Sargent’s weeping hemlock, cedar of Lebanon and dawn redwood, among others.  Meet at the WCBG Visitor Center at 1:30 pm to walk over to the Pinetum. Tour takes place rain or shine. Please dress appropriately for the weather, including suitable footwear. Thanks to Wellesley alumna Luisa Hunnewell for so generously sharing her wonderful landscape with the Friends of Horticulture. WCFH members $20, non-members $25. Visit www.wellesley.edu/WCFH to register.

Saturday, April 28, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm – Invasive Species Pull

by

Join Historic New England at the Lyman Estate in Waltham on Saturday, April 28 from 9 – 1 for a morning of removing invasive species – garlic mustard, celandine, dame’s rocket, and bishop’s gout weed – that are crowding out the native plants and are not supportive of wildlife.  Enjoy guided tours of the landscape and greenhouses in appreciation of your generous service.  Obviously free (you can’t charge people to pull weeds, after all!) but registration is requested by calling 617-227-3956, or at www.historicnewengland.org.

Sunday, April 22, 7:00 pm – Olmsted & Whitman: The Civil War Years

by

Gerry Wright has researched, written and produced a one-man show honoring the life and work of Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of landscape architecture. The play provides insights into Olmsted’s passionate vision as he played critical roles in the dynamics of slavery as a writer, Executive Secretary of the U.S. Sanitary Commission in the Civil War, and as the landscape architect for New York City’s Central Park, Boston’s Emerald Necklace, the US Capitol grounds, along with multiple plans for colleges, communities and private estates. Olmsted was a key pioneer in the movement to preserve land as national parkland, both at Yosemite and Niagara Falls.

Olmsted’s life story, from “vagabond,” to dry goods salesman, sailor, traveler, journalist, author, publisher, executive (including a goldmine in California), to becoming the father of landscape architecture in America is both inspiring as history and reason for continued commitment in the 21st century.

The Olmsted play has been presented at the Olmsted National Historic Site in Brookline, Boston’s 375th Anniversary Parade, Brookline’s 350th Anniversary Celebration, plus numerous communities of the Commonwealth; along with performances in Volgoda, Russia; in New York City for the 150 year anniversary of the legislation for Central Park; Olmsted Parks Conservancy in Louisville, Kentucky; and in Asheville, North Carolina. It will be presented, free, along with a second one act play, on Sunday, April 22, beginning at 7 pm at First Church of Jamaica Plain, Eliot and Center Street, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. Call 617-524-7070, or email FrederickLawOlmsted@yahoo.com.