Les Ormes, Garden Images

Object Details

General: Les Ormes (The Elms) was the home of George and Marguerite Skirvin Tyson and Mrs. Tyson's sister, the well-known Washington hostess and political figure Perle Skirvin Mesta. Perry Wheeler created the landscape design for the property, which was situated in the hilly Spring Valley section of the city, and gave it a French flavor in keeping with the style of the house and the taste of its owners. Taking advantage of the natural slope of the site, Wheeler designed a series of terraces which incorporated existing flowering trees amidst flagstone surfaces and gravel walkways. Seating areas were placed throughout, while spring bulbs--Thalia daffodils, tulips, and grape hyacinths--provided abundant color. At one end of the house the terraces descended to a fountain pool and summer house punctuated with large holly standards. The property was sold in the early 1960s to then Vice-President Lyndon Baines Johnson and Ladybird Johnson. The Tyson-Mesta menage moved to an apartment for which Perry Wheeler did one design, for a terrace roof, included in the Archives of American Gardens as series DC120.; Persons associated with the garden include Perry H. Wheeler (landscape architect, 1955-1956); Perle Skirvin Mesta (former owner, ca. 1955-1961); and George and Marguerite Skirvin Tyson (former owners, ca. 1955-1961); and Lyndon Baines and Ladybird Johnson (former owners, ca. 1961-1963).

Landscape architect: Wheeler, Perry H., 1914-1989
Former owner: Mesta, Perle, 1889-1975; Tyson, George, 1869-1963; Tyson, Marguerite Skirvin, d. 1963; Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines), 1908-1973; Johnson, Lady Bird, 1912-2007
Collection Landscape architect: Wheeler, Perry H., 1914-1989
Collection Photographer: Stengle, James M., Dr.
Collection Creator: University of Georgia; Garden Club of America; Emory University; American Society of Landscape Architects

Place: Les Ormes (Washington, D.C.); United States of America -- District of Columbia -- Washington

Landscape architect: Wheeler, Perry H., 1914-1989
Former owner: Mesta, Perle, 1889-1975; Tyson, George, 1869-1963; Tyson, Marguerite Skirvin, d. 1963; Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines), 1908-1973; Johnson, Lady Bird, 1912-2007

See more items in: Perry H. Wheeler collection; Perry H. Wheeler collection / Project Files / District of Columbia / DC023: Washington -- Les Ormes (The Elms)

Extent: 19 Slides (photographs) (35mm slides, color); 10 Negatives (photographic) (35mm negatives, black and white)

Type: Archival materials; Slides; Negatives; Slides (photographs); Negatives (photographic)

Collection Citation: Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, Perry H. Wheeler 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 Betty Beale, "Handsome Mesta-Tyson Home to Have Housewarming Today," The Sunday Star (February 5, 1956). Garden has been featured in Mary V. R. Thayer, "Guests at Tregaron Take Peek at Russian Treasures," The Washington Post and Times Herald ( May 6, 1956), F5.

Scope and Contents: The folders include worksheets, magazine and newspaper clippings, plans (drawings), and other information.

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: Les Ormes related holdings consist of 3 folders (19 slides (photographs); 10 safety film negatives; 11 plans (drawings))