New Vernon -- Chilcott Garden

Object Details

General: Alice Recknagel Ireys began to design this garden in 1953, soon after the property was purchased by James Clemens and Ruth Hackney Chilcott. Ireys had already worked for the Chilcotts at their former home in Bernardsville, New Jersey. For this new garden, which featured an in-ground swimming pool, Ireys designed colorful garden borders backed by hedges for privacy. Lawns surrounded the house, while a terrace for outdoor dining and entertaining had an open view of the pool and nearby woodlands. A wide grass path bordered with lilacs outlined the area between the entrance court and a rose garden. A whimsical feature, pictured in Ireys' 1967 book, was a two-tiered shell fountain providing water for birds as well as the five Chilcott dogs. Molly Adams's photographs show the property at different seasons. Two of the contact print sheets are clearly dated October 1965, while other images are assumed to date from the same year. Additional documentation relating to the Chilcott Garden may be found in the Ireys papers in the Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College.; Persons associated with the garden include: Alice Recknagel Ireys (landscape architect, 1953-) and James Clemens and Ruth Hackney Chilcott (former owners, 1953-1999).

Landscape architect: Ireys, Alice Recknagel, 1911-2000
Former owner: Chilcott, James Clemens, b. 1897; Chilcott, Ruth Hackney, 1909-1999
Collection Creator: Adams, Molly, 1918-2003

Place: Chilcott Garden (New Vernon, New Jersey); United States of America -- New Jersey -- Morris County -- New Vernon

Landscape architect: Ireys, Alice Recknagel, 1911-2000
Former owner: Chilcott, James Clemens, b. 1897; Chilcott, Ruth Hackney, 1909-1999

See more items in: Maida Babson Adams American garden collection.; Maida Babson Adams American garden collection. / Series 1: Garden Images / New Jersey

Collection Citation: Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, Maida Babson Adams American garden collection.

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.

Bibliography: Garden has been featured in Alice Recknagel Ireys, How to Plan and Plant Your Own Property (New York: M. Barrows, 1967), pp. 50-51, 139, and 172.

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.

Related Materials: Chilcott Garden related holdings consist of 1 folder (53 contact prints)