Videos of Landscape Giants Darrel Morrison and Fletcher Steele

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The Library of American Landscape History made two videos available online at
http://lalh.org/films/fletcher-steele-and-naumkeag-a-playground-of-the-imagination/

"Fletcher Steele and Naumkeag: A Playground of the Imagination"

Between 1926 and 1955, landscape architect Fletcher Steele and his client Mabel Choate created many new gardens for Naumkeag, the Choate family summer estate in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The new designs respected the layout of earlier gardens created c. 1885 by Nathan Barrett for the original Stanford White “cottage.”

A vibrant relationship developed between Steele and Choate, whose work began with Naumkeag’s Afternoon Garden and soon progressed to other features in the landscape: the South Lawn, Chinese Temple Garden, Blue Steps, and Rose Garden. Each of these designs reflected the tempo of its time and also connected visitors to the beauty of the Berkshire Mountains, visible from any part of the landscape. It is a magical site, truly a playground of the imagination.

This film was made possible by a generous gift from the Viburnum Trilobum Fund of the New York Community Trust, advised by Nancy R. Turner. All films in the series are created in association with Hott Productions of Florentine Films.

You can read more about Fletcher Steele’s design for Naumkeag in these LALH books: Fletcher Steele, Landscape Architect, A Genius for Place, and Design in the Little Garden.

ALSO at the same link you'll find an 11-minute video

"Designing in the Prairie Spirit" http://lalh.org/films/designing-in-the-prairie-spirit/

Designing in the Prairie Spirit features internationally renowned landscape architect Darrel Morrison, who reflects on his childhood in Iowa and the impact of Jens Jensen, Aldo Leopold, and others on his career.

Use the links to click over and enjoy!


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