United States of America -- New York -- Nassau County -- Mill Neck
Scope and Contents:
The folder includes worksheets, photocopies of an article, photocopies of historical records, garden plans, and a title summary for the property.
General:
The formal walled garden at Feathers, created in 1996 by the current owner along with landscape designer Lisa Thompson, is a small part of the six and one-half acre property with the original circa 1730 house. The 31 by 23 foot formal garden is divided into four parterres edged in boxwood with walks made from old bricks to match a standing old brick wall. A pink rose standard grows in the center of each parterre, surrounded by low-growing ground covers and annual flowers such as pansies. The brick wall is covered in climbing hydrangea and clematis, and has three arched doorways that lead into the garden. A bronze sculpture of the owner's son as a child created by his grandmother, Mary Emma Flood (1900-1987), overlooks the garden from a niche in the brick wall.
The spring-fed property overlooks Beaver Lake, where there is a small house and rock and fern garden. There is another garden of perennial and ornamental grasses near the lake, and many mature trees. A brick room next to the main house that held a furnace in earlier days has New Dawn roses trellised on the roof.
Persons associated with the garden include: Charles Wright (former owner and builder of the original house, circa 1730-1741); Isaac Frost and members of the Frost family (former owners, circa 1741-1763); John Underhill and members of the Underhill family (former owners, 1763-1901); Ella Kennard (former owner, 1901); Harvey Murdock and members of the Murdock family (former owners, 1901-1927); Alicia Gamble Ludlow (former owner, 1927-1953); Innis, Helen S., and Blanche S. O'Rourke (former owners, 1953-1973); Harvey L. and Cornelia D. Schwartz (former owners, 1973-1983); David W.C. Clark (former owner, 1983-1987); Norman C. and Kathleen H. Keith (former owners, 1987-1994); Helen Dillon (landscape designer, 1995); Lisa Thompson (landscape designer, 1996); Robert Gahagan (architect of new addition, 1997); Mary Emma Flood (sculptor of bronze statue of child).
This property has been extensively researched for the transfers of title beginning in 1685, when a deed of sale was signed by individuals who were likely Matinecock Indians.
Related Materials:
Feathers related holdings consist of 1 folder (11 35 mm. slides (photographs) and 5 3.5 X 5 reference prints)
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.
