Avon -- The Garden of Thomas F. and Elinor R. Oakes
- General
- The Oakes property in Connecticut had gardens designed to be viewed in spring and fall from the many windows of the 1949 modernist house they built on the 24-acre property. Dogwood trees near the house were featured in spring along with naturalized daffodil plantings on a hillside along the driveway. Shrubs planted near the house included lilacs, purple and white clematis, pyracantha, holly, and roses, with tall hedges, flowering trees and more daffodils, tulips and a large patch of bluebells. A large flat swath of lawn west of the house had a greenhouse with a small pea stone patio, and a swimming pool. There was a fenced 20 by 40 foot vegetable garden with blueberry bushes nearby, and a U-shaped cutting and perennial garden. Further from the house the property descended into woods and included a stand of white pine trees and there were two streams in ravines at the borders. The garden style was natural but well-tended in a setting that provided variety and long views over the hills.
- In the 1980s a pond was dug in a wetlands area that became a refuge for mallard ducks, blue herons, Canada geese, red-tailed hawks, and wood frogs. The area around the pond and the path into the woods were filled with native and transplanted wildflowers. Other wildlife has been seen on the property in recent years including deer, bobcats, bears and coyotes. About nine acres near the south ravine were given as an easement to the Avon Land Trust in 1990.
- Thomas F. Oakes and Elinor R. Oakes (former owners,1947); John Huntington (architect, 1948-1949; 1954; 1964); Holly W. Stevenson (landscape architect, 1957).
- Landscape designer
- Stevenson, Holly
- Former owner
- Oakes, Thomas F.
- Oakes, Elinor R.
- Architect
- Huntington, John
- Provenance
- Garden Club of Hartford
- Collection Creator
- Garden Club of America
- Place
- The Garden of Thomas F. and Elinor R. Oakes (Avon, Connecticut)
- United States of America -- Connecticut -- Hartford -- Avon
- Topic
- Gardens -- Connecticut -- Avon
- Landscape designer
- Stevenson, Holly
- Former owner
- Oakes, Thomas F.
- Oakes, Elinor R.
- Architect
- Huntington, John
- Provenance
- Garden Club of Hartford
- See more items in
- The Garden Club of America collection
- The Garden Club of America collection / Series 1: United States Gardens / Connecticut
- Sponsor
- A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
- Custodial History
- The Garden Club of Hartford facilitated the submission of this garden's documentation.
- Archival Repository
- Archives of American Gardens
- Identifier
- AAG.GCA, File CT704
- Type
- Archival materials
- Collection Citation
- Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America 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
- "Contemporary Homes Capitalize on Connecticut Sun and Scenery", Hartford Times, November 26, 1949.
- Scope and Contents
- The folder includes worksheets, personal recollections and a photocopy of an article.
- 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.
