Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site

Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903) is recognized as the founder of American landscape architecture and the nation(e2)(80)(997320)foremost parkmaker. Olmsted moved his home to suburban Boston in 1883 and established at (e2)(80)(9c466169)rsted(e2)(80)(9d207468)e world's first full-scale professional office for the practice of landscape design. Over the course of the next century, his sons and successors expanded and perpetuated Olmsted's design ideals, philosophy, and influence.

Visitors may tour the recently restored (e2)(80)(9c466169)rsted(e2)(80)(9d206869)storic landscape and a century-old design office that remains virtually unchanged from the days when the Olmsted firm(e2)(80)(997320)activity was at its height. Housed within the office complex are nearly 1,000,000 original design records detailing work on many of America(e2)(80)(997320)most treasured landscapes including the U. S. Capitol and White House Grounds; Great Smoky Mountains and Acadia National Parks; Yosemite Valley; New York's Central Park; and whole park systems in cities such as Seattle, Boston, and Louisville. The Olmsteds also played an influential role in the creation of the National Park Service. Writing from his desk in Brookline, F. L. Olmsted, Jr. crafted evocative words that served as the foundation for legislation establishing the Park Service in 1916:

"To conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."

99 Warren Street
Brookline, MA 02445
617/566-1689 - Headquarters
617/566-1689 x201 - Superintendent
617/566-1689 x224 - Site Manager
617/566-1689 x231 - Archivist
617/566-1689 x204 - Education Specialist

By Plane
Park is located approximately 7.9 miles from Boston Logan International Airport. Estimated driving time is 20 minutes.

Automobile: Follow signs for Airport Exit and ramp for Route-1A South towards Sumner Tunnel(I-93)/ BOSTON;

By Car
Automobile from Boston and points East: Follow Huntington Avenue SW from the area of Copley Square. As you cross from Boston into Brookline beneath the Jamaicaway overpass, Huntington Avenue becomes Rt. 9/Boylston Street. Continue on Rt. 9/Boylston. At the third major intersection, turn left onto Warren Street and follow 1/8 mile to intersection of Warren and Dudley Streets. Olmsted NHS is on right-hand corner with NPS sign and distinctive archway at house front.

Automobile from I-95/Rt.128 and points west: From I-95/Rt. 128, take Exit 20 (Rt. 9 East, Boston/Brookline). Follow Rt. 9/Boylston St. for approximately 5 miles. Pass through a major intersection with Lee Street and continue on Boylston, passing the Brookline Reservoir on right side. At next intersection, turn right from Boylston onto Warren Street and follow 1/8 mile to intersection of Warren and Dudley Streets. Olmsted NHS is on right-hand corner with NPS sign and distinctive archway at house front.

By Plane
Bus: Use MBTA Bus #60 and exit at intersection of Boylston and Warren Streets in Brookline. Follow Warren Street 1/8 mile to Olmsted NHS.

Subway: Use MBTA Riverside "D" Green Line and exit at Brookline Hills station. Turn right out of station and follow sidewalk to Cypress Street. Continue on Cypress across Boylston Street intersection. Turn right on Walnut Street. Turn left on Warren Street and continue to intersection with Warren and Dudley Street where Olmsted NHS is located.

Spring, summer, and fall seasons are temperate. Winter season may be harsh with periodic snow and cold.

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.

• Educational Programs
• Nature Walks

Recommended Activities
Visitor information, bookstore services, and exhibits featuring a variety of Olmsted landscapes throughout the United States are located on the first floor of the historic Olmsted house. A 17-minute orientation video entitled "From Pencil to Park: Preserving Olmsted Landscapes" is shown prior to guided tours. A park brochure, guide to the Olmsted Archives, and walking guide to the "Fairsted" residential landscape are also available.

Guided tours of the historic Olmsted design office are offered on the half hour between 10:30 and 3:30. Special tours of the "Fairsted" residential landscape, a small-scale exhibit of Olmsted design spaces, may also be available in season.

Special guided tours of Olmsted-designed landscapes in the nearby Boston metropolitan area are offered periodically during the year. These may include focused walks in the Back Bay Fens, Riverway, Jamaica Pond, Arnold Arboretum, and Franklin Park portions of Boston's famed "emerald necklace" park system. Olmsted theme-related slide lectures are available by reservation to community groups and organizations including "Frederick Law Olmsted and the Massachusetts Legacy" and "Domesticity in Green: Olmsted and Suburbia."