Boston Flora

Tag: National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA

  • Tuesday, August 28, 6:00 pm – William Waldorf Astor: American Tycoon to English Lord

    William Waldorf Astor was one of those rare beings who passed into legend during his own lifetime. The richest man in the world by the early 20th century, he created some of the finest houses, gardens, and collections in the world, and founded the legendary Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. The Preservation Society of Newport County will host a lecture on Tuesday, August 28 at 6 pm at Rosecliff, 548 Bellevue Avenue in Newport. This richly illustrated lecture will feature Astor’s most magnificent houses, from his English country estates to his idyllic villa on the Amalfi Coast (pictured below).

    Curt DiCamillo, an internationally recognized authority on English country houses and the decorative arts is the Curator of Special Collections for the New England Historic Genealogical Society. He has led highly successful heritage tours to England and Scotland, lectured extensively in the United States and abroad, and taught classes on British culture and art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Curt was previously Executive Director of The National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA.

    Reception immediately following the lecture. Advance ticket purchase is required. Visit http://www.newportmansions.org/learn/adult-programs or call 401-847-1000, ext 178.
    Preservation Society Members $15 / General Public $20

    Image result for William Waldorf Astor Amalfi estate

  • Landscape Preservation Project: The Percy Cane Garden at Falkland Palace

    One a favored place of retreat and leisure for the Kings and Queens of Scotland, particularly the royal Stewarts, Falkland Palace is a formidable part of Scottish history.  Built in 1501 by King James IV, it is one of only two Renaissance palaces in Scotland and strongly reflect the influence of French architecture.  Mary, Queen of Scots, loved Falkland Palace and often went there to hunt and play tennis on what is today considered the oldest Real Tennis Court in Britain, and possibly the world.

    In 1947, the garden surrounding the Palace underwent a 20th century redesign in the spirit of the past.  Percy Cane, one of Britain’s leading garden designers, was commissioned to undertake this ambitious project.  Faced with a blank canvas resulting from the World War II Dig for Victory campaign, which encouraged people to transform gardens, parks, and sports fields into allotments to grow vegetables, Cane had limited surviving historic evidence to work from.  Nonetheless, he understood the significance of the Palace and its surroundings and laid out a garden that matched the splendor of the historical setting.

    Today, the garden is one of the few remaining examples of Cane’s work in Britain.  The garden is recognized for both its historical value and as a work of art in its own right.  Yet, sadly, the garden has deteriorated and no longer represents Cane’s authentic planting design.  Many plant species have disappeared from the original flower beds, while others have become overgrown.  Weeds and disease have invaded the once fine lawns and there are gaps in borders where trees have blown down.  The National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA urgently needs your help to restore this important landscape.

    An incredibly generous donor has pledged to fund half the project, provided the Trust can raise the balance of $25,000 by January 1, 2016.  Donors 0f $200 or more will receive a special thank you gift of a royal Stewart tartan coin purse made of genuine Scottish-made Lochcarron wool, while supplies last.

    Donations may be made online at www.ntsusa.org/give/donations/, or mailed to The National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA, 45 School Street, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02108.

  • Thursdays, July 11 – July 25, 10:30 am – 12:30 am – Gardens Around the World

    Gain insight into the unique design styles and objects that add to the pleasure of Boston, English, and Chinese gardens with this Museum of Fine Arts Boston three-session course, Thursday mornings July 11–25, 10:30 am–12:30 pm.

    On July 11, Keith Morgan, director, Architectural Studies and professor, American and European Architecture, Boston University, will speak on Frederick Law Olmsted’s Public Landscape. Hear the fascinating story of how a saltwater marsh was transformed into a park of winding walking paths and gentle streams that comprises today’s iconic Emerald Necklace. Following the talk, enjoy a one-hour guided walking tour of the Back Bay Fens adjacent to the Museum, and learn about the area’s landscape elements and community gardens. A scholar of nineteenth and twentieth century American and European architecture, Professor Morgan is interested in the relationships between architecture, urban planning and landscape architecture. Professor Morgan has taught at Boston University since 1980. He has served as the director of the Preservation Studies Program and of the American and New England Studies Program and as the chairman of the Art History Department on two occasions. He is a former national president of the Society of Architectural Historians. His recent publications include Shaping a New American Landscape: The Art and Architecture of Charles A. Platt, Boston Architecture, 1975-1990, which he coauthored with Professor Naomi Miller, and a new introduction for the republication of Charles Eliot, Landscape Architect. He is the editor and one of the principal authors for Buildings of Massachusetts: Metropolitan Boston, and serves as the architecture editor for The Encyclopedia of New England. He has received research grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts. He serves on the Executive Committee of the Buildings of the United States project, several committees for the restoration of historic landmarks and is a trustee of the Hancock Shaker Village.

    On July 18, Curt DiCamillo, fellow, Royal Society of Arts and President of The DiCamillo Companion Ltd. will discuss The English Garden: Perfection on Earth. Whether stately and formal or natural and romantic, English gardens have been called Britain’s single most important contribution to world culture. Learn about the history of these gardens and why their influence remains with us to this day.  A guided tour of the MFA’s exceptional collection of garden paintings and country-house objects follows the lecture. Curt DiCamillo is an American architectural historian. Between 2004 and 2012, he was the Executive Director of the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA (he is currently Executive Director Emeritus). Previously, he worked for 13 years for the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Since May 2012, Mr. DiCamillo, in his role as president of The DiCamillo Companion, Ltd., has focused full-time on lecturing, writing, and leading tours about the architectural and artistic heritage of Britain and its influence around the world.

    Finally, on July 25, Nancy Berliner, Wu Tung Curator of Chinese Art, will present The Chinese Home and Garden. The Chinese home, its architecture, gardens, and contents are created to reflect the values and ideals of its residents. Dig into the world of Chinese gardening to learn how these landscapes combine artistic elements and nature in perfect harmony. Following the discussion, visit Chinese galleries that touch on house and garden themes, including “Beyond the Screen,” a gallery that evokes the home and gardens of a 16th- and 17th-century Chinese household. She is the author of The Emperor’s Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City.

    Three-Session Course Tickets
    $90 MFA members, seniors, and students; $108 nonmembers
    Order at 1-800-440-6975 or in person at any MFA ticketing desk

    Individual Session Tickets
    $35 MFA members, seniors, and students; $42 nonmembers
    Online: http://www.mfa.org/programs/series/gardens-around-world
    By phone: call the MFA Ticket line at 1-800-440-6975
    In person: at any MFA ticketing desk

    Ticketing desk hours: Mon, Tue, Sat, and Sun, 10 am–4:15 pm; and Wed–Fri, 10 am–9:15 pm.  Capacity is limited.

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