Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site

Home
United States
Brookline, MA
Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site

Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site is the home and office of the founder of American lands The grounds are open everyday from sunrise to sunset.

Olmsted (1822-1903) moved his home and office to Brookline in 1883. At his home, Fairsted, he established the world's first full-scale professional office for the practice of landscape design. During the next century, his sons and successors perpetuated Olmsted's design ideals, philosophy, and influence. Guided tours of Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site are seasonal and subject to change. Check our website, nps.gov/frla, for the most up to date hours.

08/05/2026

Many know of Frederick Law Olmsted for his magnificent landscapes, but did you know about the personal connections he made throughout his life?

For our second spotlight, let's explore Olmsted's connection to President Millard Fillmore.

Olmsted met former President Fillmore in 1868 in Buffalo, New York. On his way back home to New York City, Olmsted stopped in Buffalo and was rather caught off guard to find he was invited to speak at a meeting presided over by Fillmore. Fillmore was a longtime proponent of parks and was excited to bring Olmsted in to speak.

200 prominent Buffalo citizens attended the meeting with the purpose of discussing the development of a city park. The town wanted a park akin to that of Central Park, but Olmsted convinced the guests that a complete park system would better suit them and the city.

The initial park system that Olmsted ultimately implemented consisted of three parks connected via parkways. This was the first true system of parks that Olmsted developed and set the stage for much future city planning.

Olmsted’s connection with Buffalo was due in part to the meeting led by Fillmore and his ties to various institutions in the city. Olmsted would later go on praising Buffalo as one of the best planned cities in the world.

One small connection can shape the lives of many. Can you think of a historic connection that led to changing a community for the better?

📷1: National Archives
📷2: NPS

07/29/2026

Hope you're staying cool as a cucumber! Cool as a cucumber magnolia, that is! 🌳

This tree gets its name from its green, cucumber-shaped fruits. The spreading branches and large leaves make it an excellent shade tree– the ideal place to cool off.

Did you know that when you sit under this tree, you’re sitting under a piece of history? Fairsted's cucumber magnolia tree has a special story. It was gifted to Olmsted by Charles Sprague Sargent, first director of the Arnold Arboretum, in recognition of Olmsted’s work on the Arboretum.

Next time you visit, take a moment to experience the cultural landscape's living history on a ranger-guided tour, a self-guided tour, or just a relaxing stroll around the park.

📷NPS

07/25/2026

What's in a name? 🤔

The name rhododendron comes from the Greek roots rhodon, meaning rose, and dendron, meaning tree.

Other nicknames include:
🥀Rosebay
🥀Rose tree

Rhododendrons can be found in the Hollow or around the South Lawn of the cultural landscape. Next time you explore the site, take a moment to consider the deeper meaning of the name. Do you think it looks like a rose?

📷NPS

07/23/2026

Many know of Frederick Law Olmsted for his magnificent landscapes, but did you know about the personal connections he made throughout his life?

Welcome to our newest series where we will highlight Olmsted's, sometimes somewhat complicated, relationships with influential figures!

Our first connection is a well-known American figure: President Abraham Lincoln.

Olmsted first came across President Lincoln in early July of 1861 after he had joined the war effort via the United States Sanitary Commission. He did not have a favorable first impression of Lincoln. At one point Olmsted described Lincoln as “a poor whining broken-down idiot,” when discussing with his friend how poorly they felt the war was going. Always one to speak his mind, Olmsted would send letters to and request meetings with the President to discuss his ideas on how to handle certain aspects of the war.

Olmsted was in San Francisco, managing the Mariposa Gold Mine, at the time of Lincoln’s death and was profoundly impacted by the event, gathering in the streets with the masses and attending church to mourn the President.

While Olmsted and Lincoln may not have had the best relationship, there was a mutual respect, and both men had significant contributions in the preservation of the Union. Were you familiar with Olmsted's connection to President Lincoln?

📷1: Library of Congress
📷2: NPS

07/14/2026

Are those butterfly chrysalises? Look again! 🔎 These are actually young eastern hemlock cones.

Did you know? 💡

💡 Eastern hemlock cones are teeny compared to pinecones (less than an inch long!), but both help to protect and disperse the tree’s seeds.
💡 As the cones mature, they'll start to turn brown, and the scales will open up to reveal the hidden seeds inside.

Next time you explore the cultural landscape, check out these tiny cones!

📷NPS

07/11/2026

The day's almost here - tomorrow is Art in the Park! Don't forget to stop by between 10-4 for music, dancing, and art-filled activities.

Curious about what to bring? Don't worry - we've got you covered. If you want to plan like a ranger, take a peek at our recommendations for the best way to enjoy our free, family-friendly event.

07/10/2026

We hope you had a great and safe 4th of July weekend celebrating America's 250th birthday!

As we reflect on 250 years of American history here at the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site, we invite you to look at how the Olmsted firm and legacy contributed to some of Washington D.C.’s most recognizable people and places. Does anything look familiar?

Fun fact: Project plan numbers correspond to geographic region, so all Washington D.C. plans begin with ‘28.’

📷NPS / Frederick Law Olmsted NHS Archives

07/08/2026

Want to see this beautiful orange daylily in person? Act fast! Daylilies get their name from the fact that the blooms last a single day. But don't worry– the plants have many buds that can keep producing new flowers for a couple weeks.

You can find a whole row of stunning daylilies along the barn fence on the South Lawn.

📷NPS

07/05/2026

ONE week away from the 5th annual Art in the Park! 💥 Will we see you there?

Join us on Sunday, July 12 from 10-4 for music, art, and family-friendly fun on the South Lawn.

Things to know before you go:
💥Event starts at 10AM
💥 Dance the day way with Vanessa Trien and the
Jumping Monkeys at 11 AM and Juventas New Music Ensemble at 2 PM
💥Enjoy crafts and refreshments on the South Lawn all day
💥 Don't forget your blankets, dancing shoes, snacks, sunscreen, and water
💥 Keep checking our Facebook/Instagram and website (https://www.nps.gov/frla/special-events.htm) for additional information

07/01/2026

For visitor and staff safety, ranger-guided cultural landscape tours will be cancelled Thursday - Saturday, July 2-4 due to extreme heat and weather advisories. Tours of the historic design office will be shortened and/or cancelled after evaluating temperatures inside the design office.

The cultural landscape will be available for independent exploration, but please practice caution during extreme temperatures. The self-guided exhibits inside the visitor center will also be available for exploration 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM.

Please check our website for the most up-to-date information: https://www.nps.gov/frla/index.htm

Address

99 Warren St
Brookline, MA
02445

Telephone

+16175661689

Website

http://www.nps.gov/frla

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service in Brookline?