Landscapes and Gardens in the Hudson River Valley

106884e_B Gardens.qxp 8/3/16 7:47 AM Page 1 Map & Guide Series Hudson River Valley Landscapes and Gardens National Heritage Area, New York in the Hudson River Valley hudsonrivervalley.com he spirit of the Hudson River Valley lives not only in art and legend but also in the delicate balance of natural and human forces that T have shaped the land. Together they create a special place where gardens and landscapes are both inspired and inspiring. Here you will find the views and vision that stimulated a national artistic movement, a model for land conservation practices, and historic gardens that shaped the American landscape design profession. Kykuit, the Rockefeller family’s Gilded-Age landscape at Sleepy Hollow Garden and landscape photos by Mick Hales unless otherwise credited The Natural Environment countless visitors to the valley’s natural Working Landscapes Settlement patterns followed early Millions of years of dynamic geologic wonders. English social reformer Harriet Early land-use patterns shaped land- agricultural developments and natural forces have stimulated human encounters Martineau gazed upon the Hudson in scape gardening practices in the Hudson landforms. In the 1700s, roads were with the landscape. The mountains, River Valley. The same land that the laid down, buildings constructed, and valleys, ridges, and plateaus framing the American Indians cleared for cultivation forests substantially cleared for agriculture Hudson River create one of the most would one day become open space and timber. These early developments spectacular landscape settings in the features of the region’s foreground vistas. established the spatial organization and world. circulation patterns that helped shape landscape gardening in the 1800s. Since the beginning of its exploration, the valley environment has cast its spell Fieldstone walls crisscrossing the land- upon those who ventured here. Henry scape, acres of orchards like those Hudson arrived in 1609 seeking a north- marking the entrance to Montgomery ern passage to Asia but found instead “a Place in Annandale-on-Hudson, and pleasant Land to see.” Two centuries transcendental delight: “I experienced large farming fields now preserved later, Washington Irving described a walk a sensation which I have often heard of, as open space recall the valley’s rich along the Hudson as “a continual reverie.” but never quite believed in; the certainty agricultural heritage and how it shapes that one has awakened in another world.” the way we experience the land. Others could not escape the Hudson These mystic qualities in the natural Poets’ Walk (above), a picturesque landscape at Barrytown River Valley’s bewitching effect. The environment remain today at the heart Montgomery Place (far left), a Romantic landscaped view published journals of European travelers of the region’s distinctive landscapes of the Hudson River, Annandale-on-Hudson following the American Grand Tour drew and gardens. Untermyer Gardens (left) Manitoga, a celebration of nature restored, Garrison Boscobel, a Romantic and classically inspired Mohonk Mountain House, formal gardens in a Vanderbilt Mansion, a country place era Innisfree, a blending of graceful Asian art forms, Millbrook Albany Rural Cemetery, an example of a landscape in Garrison Charles Lyle natural setting, New Paltz landscape in Hyde Park 19th-century picturesque cemetery, Menands Romanticism and well-ordered European-style gardens Romantic landscapes are still a prominent The Country Place Era The architectural relationship between A.J. Downing in favor of picturesque gardens. feature of the region’s character. They Rising industrial fortunes during the house and garden is brilliantly demon- Inspired by the valley’s Gracefully written and handsomely exist in the wisteria vine-clad walls of decades following the Civil War paved strated by Francis Hoppin’s terraced natural scenery, artists, illustrated, this book became an Irving’s cottage at Sunnyside, the vistas to the way for new patterns of landscape garden for Blithewood at Annandale-on- writers, poets, and land- immediate success, and Downing’s water’s edge from the Vanderbilt gardening rooted in country and resort Hudson and Beatrix Farrand’s walled scape gardeners of the principles established a national style Mansion in Hyde Park, and the views life. Family names like Rockefeller, garden at Bellefield in Hyde Park. The 19th century developed for landscapes and gardens in harmony crafted from the landscape by Vanderbilt, and Astor were behind garden at Wethersfield in Amenia is a an American version of with nature. artist Frederic E. Church at the second celebration of landscape modern example of this strict adherence A.J. Downing Olana in Hudson. “I can gardening in the Hudson River Valley. to order and symmetry. Romanticism. They favored By Calvert Vaux, simplicity, naturalism, and Century Association Downing had a profound influence on make more and better The clipped arborvitae emotion over 18th-century preferences Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert landscapes in this way,” While landscapes essentially maintained walls, reflecting pools, for classicism, order, and rationale. Vaux, designers of Central Park in New Church said, “than by their Romantic character, gardens built marble ornament, and York City as well as other important tampering with canvas and between 1890 and 1940 were more struc- statuary are trademark A native of the Hudson River Valley, parks across the country. As a tribute to paint in the studio.” tured to complement palatial houses features of country Andrew Jackson Downing was the most their mentor, Olmsted and Vaux created built by American millionaires. Terracing place gardening design. a park in Downing’s name for Newburgh. Calvert Vaux and axial arrangements are typical features influential landscape gardening expert in New-York Historical Society 19th-century America. He wrote dozens among gardens associated with the strict Frederick Law Olmsted symmetry of the era’s formal architecture. Beatrix Farrand of articles for horticultural magazines John Singer Sargent, Biltmore Estate, Asheville University of California, Berkeley and in 1841 published his first book, A Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening, a rejection of the Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, a Romantic landscape at Tarrytown. Historic Hudson Valley Masters and Masterworks The Hudson River Valley possesses garden and landscape styles that represent changes in American tastes over a 200-year period. The valley is a treasury of pioneering gardening design for the region and the nation. Beauty in the Balance Downing’s influence was preceded by that of André The arts and garden design continue to flourish Parmentier, one of the first professional designers in the Hudson River Valley. Its paintings, gardens, working in the United States. The pleasure grounds he and landscapes are important representations of designed for Dr. David Hosack at Hyde Park survive our national cultural heritage. Yet its most significant largely intact at Vanderbilt Mansion. contribution may be the spirit of living in harmony with the land—a tradition exemplified by the writings The 20th century heralded an era of innovation and of naturalist John Burroughs and the grass-roots changing attitudes in landscape gardening concepts. effort to save Storm King Mountain and the Industrial designer Russel Wright purchased an Hudson Highlands. 80-acre tract of land that had been laid nearly bare by decades of logging and quarrying. For 30 years The Hudson River Valley’s landscapes and gardens he cultivated this barren land, diverted a stream to fill survive because individuals and communities have the old quarry and create a pond, and built a house. worked to balance man-made gardens and landscapes Manitoga is a model of ecological design, he said, with the beauty of the waters and ridges. If Washington a celebration of nature restored “to help people Irving were alive today, he would still witness the experience the wonder of nature in a new and charisma of the valley “undergoing a thousand intensely personal way.” mutations under the magical effects of atmosphere.” English garden designer Russell Page combined horticulture, landscape architecture, and modern sculpture into the Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Gardens at PepsiCo headquarters in Purchase. This world-class garden features more than 40 works by major international sculptors ranging from Auguste Wethersfield (above), a formal classical garden Rodin to Alexander Calder in an integrated setting in Amenia of ever-changing plant colors and fragrances. Sculpture by Richard Erdman at Kendall Sculpture Gardens at PepsiCo (above right), Purchase A major feat of modern landscape engineering, and Olana (left), August view across the Lake, photo by a most rewarding experience, may be enjoyed in a Melanie Hasbrook 2014 drive along the Taconic State Parkway as you tour the Sculpture by Alexander Calder at Storm King Art valley’s landscapes and gardens. This highly acclaimed Center (right), Mountainville parkway is both a sophisticated interpretation of highway design and a celebration of the region’s natural beauty and agricultural heritage. 106884e_B Gardens.qxp 8/3/16 7:47 AM Page 2 Map & Guide Series Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, New York Landscapes and Gardens in the Hudson River Valley hudsonrivervalley.com 4 Upper Hudson 32 Washington Park, three blocks west of Oakwood Cemetery, 50 101st St., Troy, 9 Schuylerville Empire State Plaza, Albany, washington- oakwoodcemetery.org—Oakwood

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