Object Details
- General note
- As part of the transformation of the wetlands of the Back Bay Fens into urban parkland, in 1930 landscape architect Arthur A. Shurtleff (a.k.a. Shurcliff) designed a circular formal rose garden. Located opposite the Museum of Fine Arts, the garden was intended as a place for both the general public and rose enthusiasts to learn about and enjoy roses. The garden was expanded in 1933 and in 1975 was named the James P. Kelleher Rose Garden to honor the Boston Parks and Recreation Department's Superintendent of Horticulture. Prior to its formal naming in honor of Kelleher, the garden area was variously identified as "The Fenway," "Back Bay Fens," "The Riverway, "The Parkway," "The Emerald Necklace," and "Fenway Rose Garden." In 2001 the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, in concert with the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, developed a master plan for the garden's restoration and renewal. This project was completed in 2008. Currently the garden contains nearly 1,500 plants in over ten classes and 200 varieties of roses.
- Persons associated with the garden include Arthur A. Shurtleff (landscape architect, 1930).
- Landscape architect
- Shurcliff, Arthur A. (Arthur Asahel), 1870-1957
- Collection Creator
- McFarland, J. Horace (John Horace), 1859-1948
- American Rose Society
- Place
- United States of America -- Massachusetts -- Suffolk County -- Boston
- Emerald Necklace (Boston, Massachusetts)
- James P. Kelleher Rose Garden (Boston, Massachusetts)
- Topic
- Gardens -- Massachusetts -- Boston
- Landscape architect
- Shurcliff, Arthur A. (Arthur Asahel), 1870-1957
- See more items in
- J. Horace McFarland Company collection
- J. Horace McFarland Company collection / Series 1: Garden Images / United States / Massachusetts
- Date
- 1935-1951
- Archival Repository
- Archives of American Gardens
- Identifier
- AAG.MCF, File MA057
- Type
- Archival materials
- Collection Citation
- Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, J. Horace McFarland Company 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 Better Homes and Gardens, America's Gardens (Des Moines and New York: Meredith Press, 1964), p. 30.
- Scope and Contents note
- The folder includes worksheets, a photocopied photo of the garden, and a brochure with a generalized site and planting plan.
- 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-1504732814211-1504732814895-3
