United States of America -- Connecticut -- Fairfield County -- Stamford
Scope and Contents:
The folder includes worksheets, a written description of the garden, site plans, garden areas plans, a features plan, a plant list, additional photos detailing features in the garden, and other information.
General:
Located in Stamford, Connecticut, this four-acre property consists of land that has been in the Bartlett family since it was purchased along with a large tract of land by Dr. Francis Bartlett in the 1920's. Planted on one side of the house is a Bartlett chestnut tree, named as such by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1934 for Dr. Bartlett's efforts in creating a disease resistant chestnut tree. Some of the land once owned by the family now comprises the Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens.
The current owners purchased the property in 1983 and began to clear the heavily wooded property in 1987. A terrace made of stone from around the property was installed next to the house, and by 1992 a large lawn area was established in the back of the property. The Liberty tree on the southeast side was planted in 1991 from seeds the owner collected during a visit to the 100th anniversary celebration of the Statue of Liberty. The seeds were propagated at the Bartlett Tree Laboratories in Charlotte, North Carolina and distributed to all fifty states. Forty trees were given to the city of Paris in recognition of their gift of the statue to the United States.
During this time a dwarf conifer and heather collection were planted to the southwest of the main garden, and in 1995 the one-hundred-foot perennial borders were created. Tom Erikson of Pine Meadows Gardens in Southbury, Connecticut was hired to give the garden design a sense of structure. The two pergolas were built, and the garden house installed. The garden house was originally a Bartlett Tree Company display at the 1996 New England Flower Show, for which the company received a gold medal. It was dismantled and rebuilt in the garden. Large bricks columns, a brick terrace, and a wooden pergola were constructed in front of it. The perennial border is mirrored by a rose garden backed by a yew hedge, and the second pergola separates the upper and lower gardens. Two sixteenth-century millstones, originating in Spanish Florida, were sunk into the walkways covered by the pergolas.
In 2000 the owners began extensive renovations to the house. They enlisted the services of James Doyle of James Doyle Associates in Greenwich and Diane Bilgore of DAB Designs, Inc. in Ridgefield. Together they added the "Lilac Walk" to the garden, inspired by the owners' many visits to Hidcote Manor in England. Also on the property are a gazebo, a shade garden, a fountain, and a sundial garden. The entire property is enclosed by a woodland area, and a stream and stone wall on the southeastern edge.
Persons associated with the garden include Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Bartlett, (former owners, 1959-1982); Tom Ericson, (garden designer, 1996-2001); James Doyle, (garden designer, 2004-present); Diane Bilgore (garden designer, 2005-present)
Related Materials:
Bartlett Garden related holdings consist of 1 folder (18 35 mm. slides and 7 reference 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.
