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Catalog Data

Architect:
Eyre, Wilson, 1858-1944  Search this
Landscape architect:
Eyre, Wilson, 1858-1944  Search this
Creator:
Highlands Historical Society  Search this
Former owner:
Sheaff Family  Search this
Roosevelt, Nicholas Guy, 1883?-1965  Search this
Roosevelt, Emily Wharton Sickler, 1884-1970  Search this
Sinkler, Caroline, 1860-1949  Search this
Collection Creator:
Garden Club of America  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Place:
The Highlands (Fort Washington, Pennsylvania)
United States of America -- Pennsylvania -- Montgomery County -- Fort Washington
Scope and Contents:
The folder includes a worksheet, narrative history, copies of articles, Garden Club of America correspondence, and copy of "The Highlands Preservation Master Plan" by George E. Patton (December 1977).
General:
The Highlands lies on the old Skippack Pike in the White Marsh Valley. The English-style stone house was built by Anthony Morris in 1796. The Sheaff family developed the garden with two stone walls--one being crenelated. During Caroline S. Sinkler's ownership after 1915, the garden was renovated closely following the original existing features. Along both walls, there used to be lean-to greenhouses. These were removed by Sinkler and used to create a new wall. The plan of the garden had two axes that formed four separate gardens, one of them a parterre with a large sundial. Small pools, Italian sculptures, and garden ornaments were placed in the garden during Sinkler's time. Decay of the garden began after the death of Mrs. Roosevelt; subsequently the property was bequeathed to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Persons and organizations associated with the garden include: Anthony Morris (former owner, 1796); George Sheaff (former owner); John Sheaff (former owner, ?-1915); Caroline Sinkler (former owner, 1917-1941); Nicholas G. and Emily Roosevelt (former owners, 1941-1957); Archie Coutts (gardener); Wilson A. Eyre (landscape architect, 1917); George Saylor (gardener); Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (owners, 1957-); and the Highlands Historical Society.
Related Materials:
The Highlands related holdings consist of 1 folder (5 glass lantern slides and 7 35 mm. slides)
See others in:
The Highlands, ca. 1930.
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.
Topic:
Gardens -- Pennsylvania -- Fort Washington  Search this
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Identifier:
AAG.GCA, File PA008
See more items in:
The Garden Club of America collection
The Garden Club of America collection / Series 1: United States Garden Images / Pennsylvania
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Gardens
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kb691f7754a-ff9c-4dd3-aeb8-58101872598f
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-aag-gca-ref16467