United States of America -- Rhode Island -- Newport County -- Newport
Scope and Contents:
The folder includes worksheets, photocopies of articles, write-ups of the property's history, a write-up of plans and inspiration for the garden, and an invoice for the original installation of the garden.
General:
Parterre comprises three acres of the former Belmont estate in Newport, Rhode Island, which had been maintained as parkland since the demolition of By-the-Sea in 1944. Mature trees were left in place, fronting the Normandy manor house designed by architect Frederick L Bissinger, and distinct formal garden rooms were installed by horticulturalist Virginia P. Purviance and landscape architect Julia R. Toland. The garden rooms are described as winter, black and white, potager, woodland and cutting, which provides material for the owner's award-winning floral designs. Specimen trees were planted as understory to the mature trees, and to soften the transitions between the different areas of the estate. The owner took inspiration from the elegant and understated garden designs of Russell Page (1906-1985) and the innovative and rule breaking style of Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932).
The black and white garden was originally conceived as a green and white garden, to be planted in shades of white, green and copper. Darker plant materials were introduced later. An orangerie is used for entertaining small parties, while large parties are held under a tent on the back lawn. The cutting garden beds are situated near the service area on the estate for convenience. The winter garden next to the house has a reflecting pool as well as hedges and Versailles containers and a dovecote in one corner. The shady woodland garden has a fall flame border planted with Japanese maple and a developing moss garden.
Persons associated with the garden include August Belmont (former owner, 1860-1924); Evalyn Walsh McLean (former owner, 1924-1944); Ray Van Clief (former owner, 1944-1947); J. Edgar Monroe (former owner, 1947-1971); Preservation Society of Newport County (former owner, 1971-1986); Ray Gobb (former owner, 1986-1994); George Champlin Mason (architect of "By-the Sea", previous residence on property which was demolished in 1944); Frederick L. Bissinger, Jr. (architect, F. L. Bissinger, Inc., dates unknown); Virginia Pepper Purviance (landscape designer and certified horticulturist, 1999) and Julia Rush Toland of Toland Landscape Design (landscape designer and certified horticulturist, 1998?).
Related Materials:
Parterre related holdings consist of 1 folder (16 35 mm. reference slides and 22 digital images)
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Sponsor:
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
