United States of America -- Connecticut -- Fairfield County -- Westport
Scope and Contents:
This file contains 25 digital images and 1 folder.
General:
These 2 acres of gardens were developed over 50 years by owners, Eileen and Barry Blau. Before Ralph Alswang purchased the property in 1963, the land remained a wooded lot that had never been developed. It was not until Alswang built the midcentury modern house on the property that the former lot began to transform. The Blaus moved to Westport in the mid 1950s and purchased the property in 1964. Since then, Barry Blau has developed a complex arrangement of formal and informal gardens that exemplify mid-century garden design. Major hardscape features on the property include meandering stone paths and walks that connect each garden space with various benches placed throughout. Ornamental gates and double stone sculptures mark the entrance to new paths. Stone retaining walls and boxwoods supply the structure for each of the garden spaces. Major plantings on the property are large rhododendron groves planted below oak trees.
Persons associated with the garden/landscape design include: Ralph Alswang (1963), Barry Blau (1967-1999). See 55 year chronology for detailed list of designers and design changes.
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.
