Restoring Gardens: Approaches to Historic Garden Design

Stewards of 3 of the Hudson Valley’s most significant landscapes compared and contrasted their approaches to interpreting their sites for the public benefit this past October 19th. JHC President, Suzanne Clary was part of a panel with Howard Zar of Lyndhurst and Timothy Tilghman of Untermeyer Garden Conservancy. Garden blogger Shobha Vanchiswar of Seeds of Design moderated their discussion and posed some fascinating questions about their goals for the future.

Lyndhurst for example is excited about restoring rockeries and original paths of circulation throughout its estate, particularly near the newly restored Bowling Alley. Similarly plans for the Jay Estate include consideration of multiple ways to access the physical and cultural narratives of the gardens and meadow; original walking trails discovered through archaeology will be articulated as well. Untermeyer continues to engage its urban surroundings and residents with a plethora of reimagined viewsheds. All three are dedicated to providing their visitors with a one of a kind experience and numerous take-aways!