In major construction projects there’s a lot of moving parts and variables to account for. It is the job of the architect, landscape architect, and engineer to communicate in their drawings how to successfully build their design. In this post, I’d like to briefly explain a scenario with our South Lawn cistern project that required … More Advocating for Heritage Trees During Construction
**This post has been updated 9/21/19** What’s been on my mind lately is prepping for the spring plant sale. While this is successful as a community event alone, we also aim to celebrate the heritage plants grown on the property. Additionally, we use this opportunity to generate revenue through the sale of plants. Materials that … More Partnerships through Figs
An exciting initiative to be working on at Tudor Place is the development of their Master Preservation Plan. In a nutshell it aims to address several infrastructure upgrades that will protect the long-term integrity of the historic structures and collections. I arrived just in time for the construction phase of the first project in the … More Following the Master Plan and Stay on Budget!
**The following is a mini story about pivoting boxwood blight: collaborative problem-solving, creating a positive mindset, and finding opportunities in less than ideal situations.** It was my second week on the job as director of buildings, gardens, and grounds at a historic 5.5 acre urban public garden and museum in the mid-atlantic. Upon arrival I … More Pivoting Boxwood Blight, Part I
As Director of Gardens and Grounds at Tudor Place, one of my tasks is to manage the garden volunteer program. I was blessed to inherit a wonderful group of loyal volunteers who have been working in the garden for several years. Its a very symbiotic relationship between organization and volunteer. Good relationships bring numerous rewards … More Getting Creative in Volunteer Management
When I first arrived at Tudor Place, my biggest fears were dealing with the massive boxwood collection as well as caring for the rose garden. Both are usually fairly low maintenance when following a best practices protocol, but things can go wrong very quickly. However, another responsibility is caring for the historic Sago Palms. According … More Fun with Sago Palms!
Its been a busy month! Based on my headline, you’ve likely gathered that i’m on the move. After six wonderful years in Philadelphia working at world class organizations such as Longwood Gardens, University of Pennsylvania, and KieranTimberlake as well the Fairmount Park scene at Woodford Mansion its time to say goodbye for now. I recently … More Update: I’ve moved! Phila. > Washington DC
Back in March 2018 I had one of my better “ah ha” moments of the year. I was serving on an advisory board for a local university arboretum. After a few years of being under-staffed and under-funded, the organization was getting back on its feet by first hiring a full time leadership position and then … More How I Became an Environmental Graphic Designer this Summer
On a very general level, our society uses the word “historic” to mark something as notably old. Historic properties beloved by the public such as Mt. Vernon are usually successful and deemed historic because either an important event happened there, an important person was there, or an important theme is associated with the space. [see … More Historic Property? Are you Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and/or Reconstructing?
The Fells Historic Estate and Gardens Earlier this month I enjoyed touring the grounds of the Fells Historic Estate and Gardens overlooking Lake Sunapee in New Hampshire. It is the former summer home of John M. Hay (1838-1905), an American writer and diplomat. Hay’s son Clarence and his wife Alice Appleton Hay later inherited the … More The Fells & Landscape Design in the Arts & Crafts Movement
Joshua Meyer 