United States of America -- Pennsylvania -- Chester County -- Berwyn
Scope and Contents:
The folder includes worksheets, site plans, additional images of the house (including one of it under construction in 1930-31), and other information.
General:
Located on an 11.5 acre site, this garden surrounds Toad Hall, the house which sits at the crest of a hill. The current owners acquired the property in 1961 and have been developing the site and the gardens ever since. One owner grew up on an English estate, an experience that is reflected in her grasp of site planning, views and vistas, understanding of plants, love of roses, and the use of garden accents such as ornamental iron gateways, treillage, containers, brightly painted obelisks, fountains, and numerous metal and wood sculptures. Various established gardens are organized by axes and cross axes and include a woodland garden, a pergola and reflecting pool, a secret garden, and a vegetable garden with raised beds for tender tropicals. From the bottom of these gardens a long vista leads the eye to a fountain set in a small side terrace next to the house. At the rear of the house a flagstone terrace has a dramatic view down a sweep of meadow to the woodland edge below. Many of the mature trees are original to the property, while other plants, like native rhododendron, were added by the original owner. Along the entrance driveway and beneath the house large stone boulders and carpets of spring bulbs, native ferns, and wildflowers enliven the forest floor, accessible by woodland paths. Deer are kept at bay by high iron fencing and a cattle guard at the gate.
Persons associated with the property and garden include Sally Wood (landscape designer, 1979); Wendy Stasen (gardener-horticulturist); James M. Willcox (former owner, 1930-1961); and Arthur W. Hall (architect, 1930).
Related Materials:
Toad Hall related holdings consist of 1 folder (19 35 mm. slides (photographs))
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.
