Waterford -- Harkness Memorial State Park

Object Details

Varying Form: Also known as Eolia--Harkness Estate and Camp Harkness.
General: Postcard circa 1939-1990.; 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
Architect: Lord & Hewlett; Rogers, James Gamble
Manufacturer: Lord And Burnham
Landscape architect: Farrand, Beatrix, 1872-1959; Coffin, Marian Cruger, 1876-1957; Stiles, Wayne E.; Brett & Hall
Collection Collector: Marchand, Richard

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

Topic: Gardens -- Connecticut -- Waterford; Mansions; Lawns; Ornamental shrubs; Climbing plants; Ivy; Balustrades; State parks

Former owner: Harkness, Mary Emma Stillman, 1874-1950; Harkness, Edward Stephen, 1874-1940
Architect: Lord & Hewlett; Rogers, James Gamble
Manufacturer: Lord And Burnham
Landscape architect: Farrand, Beatrix, 1872-1959; Coffin, Marian Cruger, 1876-1957; Stiles, Wayne E.; Brett & Hall

See more items in: Richard Marchand historical postcard collection (35mm slides); Richard Marchand historical postcard collection (35mm slides) / Connecticut

Sponsor: A project to describe images in this finding aid in this collection received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.

Collection Citation: Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, Richard Marchand historical postcard 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 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.