Object Details
- General
- "This historic eighteenth century residence was deeded by the Crown Grant to the Thornes, a Quaker family and has remained in their possession ever since. It was famed in the nineteenth century for the quality of their breeding cattle and for their standard bred horses." "It was Mr. Thorne's great grandmother, the late Mrs. Oakleigh Thorne, who was responsible for the planning and planting of Thorndale's gardens which were for many years listed as the most beautiful in the world. The gardens have seen many changes through the years, but are still a beautiful setting for the largest classic white clapboard house with ist huge columns on its portico. The trees, white pine, spruce, red oaks, white oaks, maples and elms have been assiduously tended for decades." "Most of the gardens are within sight and sound of water. Old stone steps rise from the upper pond's edge to green lawn. A path circles the pool where water-lilies bloom and dogwood and azaleas abound. A swimming pool is passed on the way to the lower pond and water pavilion. The pavilion, designed by Jerome Allen, architect, stands two stories high to command a long vista." "A stream links the two ponds and is shaded by birch, dogwood and elms. Drifts of daffodils are naturalized in the fields beyond." "Pierced brick walls with espaliered fruit trees surround the yew garden. Here you will find a great many varieties of taxus and magnificent topiary work. At the entrance to trim paths stand eighteenth century English stone monkeys playing musical instruments." Mr. and Mrs. Oakleigh Thorne also owned Las Tejas, Santa Barbara, California. Persons associated with the property include: Edward Van Altena (colorist for lantern slides); Nellie B. Allen (landscape architect); Helen Page Wodell (landscape architect); Jerome Allen (architect); Marian Cruger Coffin (landscape architect); Helen Thorne (former owner); Wodell and Contrell (landscape architect).
- Landscape architect
- Allen, Nellie B. (Nellie Beatrice), 1874-1961
- Wodell, Helen Page
- Coffin, Marian Cruger, 1876-1957
- Architect
- Allen, Jerome
- Collection Collector
- Marchand, Richard
- Landscape architect
- Allen, Nellie B. (Nellie Beatrice), 1874-1961
- Wodell, Helen Page
- Coffin, Marian Cruger, 1876-1957
- Architect
- Allen, Jerome
- See more items in
- Richard Marchand historical postcard collection (35mm slides)
- Richard Marchand historical postcard collection (35mm slides) / New York
- 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.
- Extent
- 3 Slides (photographs)
- Archival Repository
- Archives of American Gardens
- Identifier
- AAG.MAR, File NY092
- Type
- Archival materials
- Slides (photographs)
- 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 the Bulletin of The Garden Club of America. Annual Meeting; July 1936. Garden has been featured in The Garden Magazine; December, 1921. Garden has been featured in Griswold, Mac and Weller, Eleanor. Golden Age of American Gardens. New York: Harry N. Abrams in association with the Garden Club of America, 1991. Garden has been featured in Fitch, James Marston and Rockwell, F. F. Treasury of American Gardens. New York: Harper Brothers, 1956. Garden has been featured in The Garden Locater of The Garden Club of America. 1953. Garden has been featured in House Beautiful; September, 1933.Garden has been featured in House and Garden; October 1949. Garden has been featured in Garden Club of America, List of Gardens. 1921.
- 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.
- Record ID
- ebl-1585920647092-1585920647327-1
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