Somerville -- Four Oaks Farm

Object Details

General: Four Oaks Farm was the home of noted bibliophile Mary Morley Crapo Hyde, Viscountess Eccles. Gardener George Knapp was responsible for much of the five-acre site's design, although Nelva M. Weber and Alfred Geiffert also contributed their expertise. Surrounding an 18th-century farmhouse with an added Greek Revival portico, the garden was started in 1946. Existing brick and cobblestone terraces provided a basis for the overall design, which involved the development of individual garden areas adjacent to the terraces, among other features. Water was highlighted in several locations, including a small pool overlooked by a statue of Shakespeare, a pond made by damming an old creek, and another creek whose banks were planted with Japanese iris, hemlock, and other shrubs. Individual garden areas included a walled garden, a crabapple garden, a vegetable and cutting garden, and the Bear Garden, named for a bear fountain set against the brick wall of this space. Shade trees and views of surrounding sheep and cow pastures and the Raritan River enhanced the rural setting of the site.

Place: Four Oaks Farm (Somerville, New Jersey); United States of America -- New Jersey -- Somerset County -- Somerville

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 Caroline Seebohm and Christopher Simon Sykes, Private Landscapes: Creating Form, Vistas, and Mystery in the Garden (New York: Clarkson N. Potter, Inc., 1989), pp. 134-145.

Scope and Contents: The folders include worksheets, correspondence, a photocopy of a book section about the garden, and other information.

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: Four Oaks Farm related holdings consist of 2 folders (22 slides (photographs))
See others in: Garden Club of America Collection, ca. 1920-[ongoing].