United States of America -- Florida -- Sarasota County -- Sarasota
Scope and Contents:
1 folder and 36 digital images. The folder includes worksheets and historic information about land development in the Florida Keys.
General:
The Italianate Revival house built in 1937 has been expanded by the current owners who are descended from the original owners, on a property of approximately one acre. Many specimen plants that were collected between 1950 and 1990 have been retained and rearranged to accommodate expansions to the house. With new plantings added the gardens emphasize the colors, specimen variety and textures in subtropical trees, shrubs, vines and flowering plants. There are eleven different varieties of palms, including the mature royal palms that tower over the street front of the property, and shorter pygmy date palms used as foundation plants under balconies. Bromeliads grow in enormous urns on either side of the original front door. Flowering vines that add color year round include Mexican flame vine, bougainvillea, stephanotis, Confederate jasmine and angel's trumpet. Dense growth for a jungle-like effect is encouraged and minimizes water usage.
The property was purchased from the John Ringling Estates, and references to the involvement of family members in the circus and carnivals is found in garden features. A mobile sculpture "Circus" by Frederick Prescott is sited outside the dining room window. A mosaic on the wall of one of the additions depicts Ringling Brothers clown Emmet Kelly and family member, plant collector, puppeteer and previous owner Marion McKennon. Her husband Joseph McKennon initiated the grassroots campaign Save Our Bays to prevent dredging to create more building sites in the Florida Keys. A park and bird sanctuary was established on some of the new ground rather than housing. In 1991 this property was designated a historic landmark by the City of Sarasota.
Persons associated with the garden include John Ringling and Owen Burns of John Ringling Estates (former owners 1917-1927); Mr. and Mrs. Charles Leigh (former owners, 1927-1969); Mr. and Mrs. Joseph McKennon (former owners, 1969-2002); Dwayne Henderson (former owner, 2002-2003); Paul Bergman (builder, 1936-1937); Wm. Thorning Little (architect for renovation and additions, 2004-2007 and 2003-2008); Daniel Patrick Ball (builder, 2003-2008); Michael L. Gilkey, Jr. (landscape architect, 2005-2007); Brian K. Desormier (landscape installation and maintenance (2005- ); Frederick Prescott (sculptor); Dimitar Kasabov (mosaic artist).
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.
Original text on slide reads, "Clown figurines standing next to cardboard car"
Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. To make a research appointment, contact Archives staff at elisofonarchives@si.edu.
Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. For terms of use, contact Archives staff at elisofonarchives@si.edu.
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 00-112, Smithsonian Institution, Office of Product Development and Licensing, Product Development and Licensing Records
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Collection Citation:
Lee Ya-Ching Papers, NASM.2008.0009, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
