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Fairview -- Brier Hill Garden

Smithsonian Gardens

Object Details

General
Approximately 12 acres developed and owned by the McBrier family for over 100 years. The land was first developed with the construction of the summer house which was built in 1914 at the end of a private drive on a hill overlooking a natural ravine. The land features woodlands, specimen trees, rolling lawns, and a ravine with bog garden. From the house a stone stairway leads to a large concrete dam built in 1915 that allowed for the family to control the flow of the running stream and the natural spring. In 1927, after clearing chestnuts infected with blight, Mr. Frederick McBrier hired Arthur Westcott Cowell. Cowell was the landscape architect who established the Department of Landscape Architecture at Pennsylvania State College. Cowell designed the ravine with bog garden, cutting gardens, and trees around the summer home. After the death of Mrs. Grace Richardson McBrier her son (James McBrier) and his wife (Blossom McBrier, a member of the American Rhododendron Society) revitalized and created a year-round home on Brier Hill in 1972 from the summer home. A major change was the addition of a deck to look into and across the ravine. They also established the lower walkway and primrose path leading to the concrete dam. They have maintained the Cowell designed gardens and replaced trees as needed. They have also created new gardens of rhododendrons, azaleas, hybrids of the world, and all kinds of Cronus. Throughout the property of various gardens there are seating inlets that contain antique white wrought iron, black wrought iron, natural wood benches, and wicker sofa, table and chairs. These seating areas are intended to invite visitors to rest and appreciate the gardens. The property is still maintained by a team of gardeners under the instruction of Blossom McBrier who has hosted garden club visits and opens the garden up to the public each Memorial Day. The property also features sizeable vegetable gardens, cutting gardens, and a native azalea bed. The trees around the house include Bay Magnolia, Native Florida Rutgers, Japanese Maple, Cronus, and a variety of evergreens. The original plantings in 1927 also included over 400 rhododendrons, 200 mountain laurels, and trees, many of which still exist in the natural ravine. Today, the ravine is filled with the original planting of bay maximums, mountain laurels, azaleas, and multiple varieties of native trees. Across the property there are over 100 tree species, hybrids and rhododendrons. Many of the specimen trees are over 100 years old. Also featured are extensive collections of rhododendrons of all types. Persons associated with the garden include: Mr. Frederick B. McBrier and Mrs. Grace Richardson McBrier (former owner, -1944); Grace Richardson McBrier (former owner, 1944-1966); Mr. James R. McBrier and Mrs. Blossom P. McBrier (former owner, 1966-1997); Blossom P. McBrier (former owner, 1997-); Arthur Westcott Cowell (Landscape architect, 1927); Lester Freeland (Horticulturist, 1970-1974); Glenn Peckham (gardener, 1914-1966); Robert McDonald (gardener, 1972-); Thomas Eckerd (gardener, 1998-2008); David D'Nunzio (gardener, 2009-2015); Adam Kalivado (gardener, 2015-).
Place
United States of America -- Pennsylvania -- Erie -- Fairview
Brier Hill Garden (Fairview, Pennsylvania)
Topic
Gardens -- Pennsylvania -- Fairview
See more items in
American Gardens Collection
American Gardens Collection / Series 1: Garden Images / United States of America / Pennsylvania
Archival Repository
Archives of American Gardens
Identifier
AAG.AGC, File PA834
Type
Archival materials
Collection Citation
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, American gardens 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
This property is featured in "Perennial Favorite Blossom McBrier" by Nancy Eisenman-Elwell, published in Lake Erie Lifestyle, June 2009; "Garden clubs present beautification awards" by Sue Scholz, published in Erie Times-News, November 16, 2013; "Rhodies Scholar" by Meg Loncharic, published in Erie Times-News, June 11, 2002.
Scope and Contents
32 digital images (2007-2017) including 17 digital panoramic photographs, an original planting list, 1 appraisal portfolio including original photos, historic photograph reproductions (1915-1960), 1 video, 5 oversized plans and 4 file folders.
Related link
Record ID
ebl-1571932881562-1571932881637-1
Metadata Usage
CC0
GUID
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kb61a166fe2-fdd2-4b12-a989-0b4297c8165c

Related Content

  • American Gardens Collection

Fairview -- Brier Hill Garden
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