Waterford -- Harkness Memorial State Park

Object Details

General: Harkness Memorial State Park focuses around "Eolia," the 200+ acre summer home of Edward S. and Mary Harkness. Built in 1906 and purchased by the Harknesses in 1907, the Roman Renaissance Revival-style mansion is complemented by an Italianate garden (also known as the West Garden) originally designed by the Boston firm of Brett & Hall. From about 1918 to the 1930s noted landscape architect Beatrix Jones Farrand transformed a tennis court into an Oriental garden (also known as the East Garden) to showcase the owners' collection of Chinese and Korean statuary. She also replanted the Italianate garden. When Mrs. Harkness died in 1950, the property was left to the State of Connecticut, which established it as a state park in 1952. An extensive renovation of the mansion and gardens began in 1996. Hardscaping, including four fountains and fencing, was restored or re-built to be compatible with the original specifications of the Brett & Hall and Farrand plans. Gardens were restored to their original planting designs with shrubs, trees, perennials and annuals. Persons and firms associated with the garden include: Edward S. and Mary Harkness (former owners, 1907-1950); Brett & Hall (landscape architects, ca. 1910); and Beatrix Jones Farrand (landscape architect, 1918-1930s).

Former owner: Harkness, Mary Emma Stillman, 1874-1950; Harkness, Edward Stephen, 1874-1940
Landscape architect: Farrand, Beatrix, 1872-1959; Brett & Hall
Collection Photographer: Jeruss, Irene

Place: Harkness Memorial State Park (Waterford, Connecticut); United States of America -- Connecticut -- New London County -- Waterford

Topic: Gardens -- Connecticut -- Waterford; Houses; Flower gardening; Awnings; Walled gardens; Cosmos (Plants); Zinnia; Pergolas; Garden houses; Plants, Potted; Lawns; Echinops ritro; Stairs; Artemisia; Ageratums; Daisies; Nicotiana; Rock gardens; Retaining walls; Fountains; Marigolds

Former owner: Harkness, Mary Emma Stillman, 1874-1950; Harkness, Edward Stephen, 1874-1940
Landscape architect: Farrand, Beatrix, 1872-1959; Brett & Hall

See more items in: Irene Jeruss garden photography collection; Irene Jeruss garden photography collection / Garden Images / Connecticut

Collection Citation: Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, Irene Jeruss Garden Photography 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 Town and Country, September 15, 1925, p. 53.Garden has been featured in Carol King, "Restoration Drama," House & Garden, September 2006, pp. 132-134.

Collection Restrictions: Access to collection 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.