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Philadelphia (Chestnut Hill) -- Butterworth Garden

Smithsonian Gardens

Object Details

General
The home of Mr. and Mrs. J. Warner Butterworth, this site was located on Crefeld Street in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. Sloping downhill toward Wissahickon Creek, the property was well-suited for the terrace that was the focus of its garden design. It is likely that Thomas W. Sears, who took the photographs of the garden, was also its landscape architect, although it may have been the work of his firm, Sears & Wendell. In 1913 Sears had worked with Charles L. Borie, Jr., of the architectural firm Zantzinger, Borie & Medary, on the design of Chanticleer, and the same firm was responsible for the 1915 design of the Butterworth house. The terrace at the back of the house featured an outdoor seating area and views of surrounding woodlands, along with an adjacent flower garden. Stonework compatible with the stone used in the house solidly grounded the design, but was softened by plantings of shrubs and flowering trees.
Persons and firms associated with the site include J. Warner and Alice Wood Butterworth (former owners, circa 1915-1930); Thomas W. Sears (landscape architect, circa 1915-1920); Sears & Wendell (landscape architects, circa 1915-1920); and Zantzinger, Borie & Medary (architects, circa 1915-1920).
Former owner
Butterworth, J. Warner
Butterworth, Alice Wood, d. 1952
Landscape architect
Sears, Thomas Warren, 1880-1966
Creator
Zantzinger, Borie & Medary
Sears & Wendell
Collection Creator
Sears, Thomas Warren, 1880-1966
Sears & Wendell
Olmsted Brothers
Harvard University
American Society of Landscape Architects
Place
Butterworth Garden (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
United States of America -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia County -- Philadelphia -- Chestnut Hill
Topic
Gardens -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia
Former owner
Butterworth, J. Warner
Butterworth, Alice Wood, d. 1952
Landscape architect
Sears, Thomas Warren, 1880-1966
Creator
Zantzinger, Borie & Medary
Sears & Wendell
See more items in
Thomas Warren Sears photograph collection
Thomas Warren Sears photograph collection / Series 1: Photographic Images / United States / Pennsylvania
Archival Repository
Archives of American Gardens
Identifier
AAG.SRS, File PA752
Type
Archival materials
Collection Citation
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, Thomas Warren Sears photograph 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.
Scope and Contents
The folder includes worksheets and other information about the house and garden.
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.
Related Materials
Butterworth Garden related holdings consist of 1 folder (16 glass negatives)
Related link
Record ID
ebl-1562707900944-1562707902107-5
Metadata Usage
CC0
GUID
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kb6748c4d3f-cfa6-4f61-9bfd-89017be5e075

Related Content

  • Thomas Warren Sears photograph collection

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