United States of America -- Rhode Island -- Providence County -- Providence
Scope and Contents:
The folders include worksheets, copies of garden designs with planting plans, black and white photographs of the garden, black and white and color photocopies of images of the garden and Mary Elizabeth Sharpe, photocopies of articles about the house and garden, an unpublished 1990 paper by Lisa Hartjen entitled "The Gardens of 84 Prospect Street," notes on the garden by Mary Elizabeth Sharpe, a photocopy of Marjorie Sewell Cautley's 1937 consultant report, and correspondence and other information relating to the garden and Mary Elizabeth Sharpe.
General:
Situated on an irregular two-thirds acre lot, this garden's development began in 1929 under the supervision of its owner, Mary Elizabeth Sharpe, and continued over a period of 55 years. It is now in full maturity. Following Mrs. Sharpe's death in 1985, the property passed to Brown University, where it is now the home of the French Studies and Hispanic Studies departments. It was renamed Rochambeau House for Jean de Vimeu, Comte de Rochambeau, MareĢchal de France and commandant of French forces encamped at Providence during the American Revolution. Although some features have changed and trees have been replaced, the design concept still remains one of a French-style garden composed of plants chosen for year-round green interest. Features include a formal, boxwood-edged lawn, paved teraces, stone-paved courts, stone steps and ornaments, paths of diamond pavers, espaliers on house walls, and spring flowering trees surrounding a handsome house. The long, narrow sequence of the west garden descending from formal to naturalized areas and woodland is a highlight.
Persons and firms associated with the property include: Mary Elizabeth Sharpe (former owner and landscape designer, 1929-1985); Henry Dexter Sharpe (former owner, 1929-?); Arthur Rice (architect, 1929); Marian Cruger Coffin (landscape architect, 1934); Marjorie Sewell Cautley (landscape architect, 1937); Ralph E. Dinneen (restoration architect, 1985-1987); Kevin Brannon (gardener, 1980 to date); Pat Vetere (Brown University grounds superintendent, current); Parker, Thomas & Rice (architects, 1929); and R. E. Dinneen Architects & Planners, Inc. (restoration architects, 1985-1987).
Related Materials:
Rochambeau House related holdings consist of 3 folders (33 35 mm. slides)
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.
