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Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site

Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903) is recognized as the founder of American landscape architecture and the nation’‘s foremost parkmaker. Olmsted moved his home to suburban Boston in 1883 and established the world’‘s first full-scale professional office for the practice of landscape design. During the next century, his sons and successors perpetuated Olmsted’‘s design ideals, philosophy, and influence.

The Basics

Hours:

Frederick Law Olmsted NHS is currently CLOSED to visitors as we undergo a major preservation project involving the buildings, grounds and collections. Normal operation hours and programs are anticipated to resume in fall 2009.

During the closure special guided tours of Olmsted-designed landscapes in the nearby Boston metropolitan area will be offered periodically during the year. These may include focused walks in the Back Bay Fens, Riverway, Jamaica Pond, Arnold Arboretum, and Franklin Park portions of Boston’‘s famed "emerald necklace" park system. For more information, please call (617)566-1689

Address:

99 Warren Street
Brookline, MA 02445

Phone:

617-566-1689

Directions

From Boston and points East
Follow Huntington Avenue SW from the area of Copley Square. As you cross from Boston into Brookline beneath the Jamaica Way overpass, Huntington Avenue becomes Rt. 9/Boylston Street. Continue on Rt. 9/Boylston. At the third major intersection, turn left onto Warren Street and follow 1/8 mile to intersection of Warren and Dudley Streets. Olmsted NHS is on right-hand corner with NPS sign and distinctive archway at house front.

From I-95/Rt.128 and points west
From I-95/Rt. 128, take Exit 20 (Rt. 9 East, Boston/Brookline). Follow Rt. 9/Boylston St. for approximately 5 miles. Pass through a major intersection with Lee Street and continue on Boylston, passing the Brookline Reservoir on right side. At next intersection, turn right from Boylston onto Warren Street and follow 1/8 mile to intersection of Warren and Dudley Streets. Olmsted NHS is on right-hand corner with NPS sign and distinctive archway at house front.

Climate

New England enjoys four distinct seasons and the weather is known to be highly variable. Summers can be pleasant or hot and humid. Winters can be moderate or frigid and snowy. Dressing in layers is advisable, as the temperature can drop significantly from day to night, even in summer, and breezes can be chilly.

Link to our Boston / Cambridge Weather coverage for more information.

Fees

No Fees.

Reservations

Reservations recommended.

Things To Do

Walking Tours

Ranger-led tours of Olmsted-designed landscapes in the nearby Boston metropolitan area are offered periodically during the year. These may include focused walks in the Back Bay Fens, Riverway, Jamaica Pond, Arnold Arboretum, and the Franklin Park portions of Boston's famed "Emerald Necklace” park system.

Slide Programs

Frederick Law Olmsted and the Massachusetts Legacy

The Olmsted firm worked on some 1,200 landscape design projects throughout Massachusetts, from 500-acre public parks to intimate private gardens. This program explores Olmsted landscapes from the sands of the Atlantic to the forests of the Berkshires.

Domesticity in Green: Olmsted and Suburbia

Reinforced by his belief that "great towns cannot exist without great suburbs," Frederick Law Olmsted sought to change the way Americans lived. This talk explores Olmsted's views on suburbia, focusing on factors that influenced his designs. Broad conceptual ideas are shown through an examination of Riverside, Illinois, one of this country's first planned communities. A look at "Fairsted," Olmsted's Brookline home, reveals more intimate details of his design work.

These slide programs are available for groups by reservation. Please call (617) 566-1689 ext. 221 for more information

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