**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
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
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
I give tours for an historic house in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park that is of the colonial style in both its architecture and collections. During these tours we talk about the period architecture, objects, and antiquities, and I’m commonly asked how a young man in his early 30’s knows so much about colonial history and material … More #Learningtheory and the best way to learn every major #design period from #Arts&Crafts to #Postmodern
I recently visited the colonial farm and mansion called Pennypacker Mills near Schwenksville, PA. It was the family home of the Pennypackers, and the Pennsylvania Governor Samuel Pennypacker used it as a summer home in the early 20th century. During this transition, the working farm was converted into a gentleman’s country estate for the governor … More Thomas Meehan, the Pink Dogwood, and crowdsourcing plant ID features
When exploring new areas, geology is often the one discipline that expresses how a community was developed over time. The availability of materials and the shape and texture of the land largely informs and dictates what occupations can be successful in harnessing the landscape for resources. It also informs how we can build structures in … More Geology, Bath stone, and Prior Park landscape design #priorpark
Who is William Cullen Bryant? The Seattle neighborhood Bryant is named after him. Bryant House at Williams College is named for him. Bryant Woods of Columbia, Maryland is also named after him. The famed Bryant Park in NYC at the intersection of 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue was later renamed for him. He was a … More The 19th century poet behind NYC’s Central Park: a visit to William Cullen Bryant’s boyhood home #CentralPark #WilliamCullenBryant
Those interested in the history of landscape architecture take note: there’s a new award winning tool that aims to help students fully contextualize and visualize iconic places through a virtual tour interface of sorts. Its called the Digital Library of Landscape Architecture, and it was developed by Benjamin George of Utah State University’s Department of … More #ASLA award of excellence to the #Digital #Library of #LandscapeArchitecture History
Joshua Meyer 