*This webinar is part of our NYAC Summer Encore Series — a limited-time showcase of archived programs, re-airing exclusively this August*
If you've visited a public park in any city across America, chances are you've experienced the vision and legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted, this nation’s first professional landscape architect. While Olmsted is best known for his work in New York City, he also designed parks and public spaces across the nation, and was an instrumental figure in laying out a vision for what would become the National Park System. How did this legendary American landscape architect get his start, and how did he singlehandedly influence so many green spaces throughout the United States? It's time to uncover the history behind the "father of American Landscape Architecture" like never before.
Join New York Adventure Club for a two-part series on the life and legacy of American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted (1822 - 1903), whose projects from urban centers like New York City to rural tracts like California's Yosemite National Park are considered to be some of the world's finest green spaces. In Part One: New York's Landscapes, we’ll focus on Olmsted’s early life along with a deep dive into his public works throughout New York City.
Led by historian Lucie Levine, this unique virtual experience on Olmsted's bicentennial will include:
- A brief overview of Olmsted’s early life, from his religious upbringing and time as a farmer on Staten Island to a newspaper gig in England that had a profound impact on his career
- Olmsted’s stances on societal issues of the day like abolitionism and industrialization, along with his vocal support for green public spaces in urban areas
- An in-depth look at his most famous works in New York, such as Central Park, Prospect Park, Fort Greene Park, and Riverside Park
- Little known details about his grand vision for New York City's green public spaces, including an unrealized plan to connect Central Park to Prospect Park
- A discussion of how ideas about park land and public health that influenced Olmsted still inform our lives today
See you there, virtually!
*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar
**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser
***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week after the series finale
****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week since the series finale, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!
Frederick Law Olmsted Series (Re-Air)
Part 1: New York's Landscape Architect (Tuesday, August 12)
Part 2: Creating America's Green Space (Tuesday, August 19)
Testimonials
"Presenter was wonderful, great knowledge of the subject, interesting from beginning to end. Told friends about NYAC and urged them to subscribe. We only use the virtual experiences, and have enjoyed almost all of those offered....it was great during COVID, and continues to be so." -Kathryn
"Ms. Levine always positions people in the context of their times, and thus surfaces influences on their work which might not otherwise be apparent. The locales and settings under discussion are made clear through the presentation of good quality maps." -Stephen
"Learned so much I didn’t know, and it was so well-presented." -Martha
"Just incredible detail and photographs." -Sharon
"Lucie is knowledgeable and well spoken, what’s not to like!" -Kaye
"The depth of the information, the logical organization, the cogent and erudite presentation" -Lynn
"I love Lucie. She's organized and a great presenter." -Laurie
"Lucine...AWESOME job!! (as usual). I really like how she relates the material and tries at times to "personalize" it (makes it feel fresh and interesting and NOT 'tooo formal')!!!" -William
"Images and information that were new to me; lively presentation, conversational" -Kristan
"There was a lot to take away from this event! I am a landscape architect and familiar with the work of FLO, however some of the intracies and detail of what he was concerned about for his projects, I do not recall learning! Very impressed with the research and candor of the presenter and looking forward to rewatching this and the second episode!" -Laura
"Lucy L was an outstanding presenter who really knows her stuff. She did an incredible job of researching Frederick Law Olmstead and her presentation revealed another side of Omstead that I never knew - opposition to slavery and his involvement in the sanitary movement." -Susan
"A nice overview of how the parks came into existence." -Stan
"The presenter was great." -Anne
Disclaimer
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Photo Credit: Main - Jermaine Ee
Categories: Virtual, Moments in History
