New Canaan -- Fitch-Perkins-Bergmann House

Object Details

General: This architect-designer's modernist garden with a highly ordered geometry is an extension to the 1836 Greek Revival style house. An abstract but formal composition using a series of stepped terraces merges, joins, and unfolds space on the one-third acre lot. Keeping to the minimalist theme, abundant summer annuals are limited to two colors. The serene landscaped rooms are formalized by yew parterres, serial hedges, stone and painted brick walls, a bosk of pruned crabapple trees, a cone folly, raked gravel, and other French and Italian elements. Its geometry contrasts with the thick, random woodland plantings of mature pines and hemlocks. An opaque screen of European beech separates the entry court from the landmark building, located in a historic district adjacent to the town center. The patter of water is created with two fountains in granite basins located side by side. Persons and organizations with the property include: Theophilus Fitch (former owner, 1835-1837); Philo Fitch (former owner, 1837-1865); Clarinda Ayres (former owner, 1865-1891); Eleazer Fancher (former owner, 1891-1902); Helen Rogers (former owner, 1902-1919); The Community School (former owner, 1919-1924); Maxwell E. and Louise Perkins (former owners, 1924-1965); John and Bertha Frothingham (former owners, 1965-1972); and Johnson Lee (former owner, 1972-1973).

Former owner: Fitch, Theophilus; Fitch, Philo; Ayres, Clarinda; Fancher, Eleazer; Rogers, Helen; Perkins, Maxwell E.; Perkins, Louise; Frothingham, John; Frothingham, Bertha; Lee, Johnson; The Community School
Collection Photographer: Jeruss, Irene

Place: Fitch-Perkins-Bergmann House (New Canaan, Connecticut); United States of America -- Connecticut -- Fairfield County -- New Canaan

Topic: Gardens -- Connecticut -- New Canaan; Formal gardens; Garden borders; Garden walks; Boxwood; Topiary work; Container gardening; Porches; Edging; Parterres; Maze gardens; Ground cover plants; Impatiens; Plants, Potted; Houses

Former owner: Fitch, Theophilus; Fitch, Philo; Ayres, Clarinda; Fancher, Eleazer; Rogers, Helen; Perkins, Maxwell E.; Perkins, Louise; Frothingham, John; Frothingham, Bertha; Lee, Johnson; The Community School

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 House Beautiful, January 2000, p. 76.Garden has been featured in Building Stone magazine, May-June 1984.Garden has been featured in Gardener's Calendar, 2000 (Workman Publishing).Garden has been featured in New Classic Gardens: A Modern Approach for Formal Design (London: Quadrille Publishing for the Royal Horticultural Society, 2000).

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.