Evanston -- Bent Oaks
- General
- Although the house on this 1.5-acre site, designed by English-born architect Ernest Mayo, was built in 1909, the current garden has been under development only since 1977. Removal and extensive renovation of existing exterior features preceded a new design highlighted by brick and stone paths, rose and herb gardens, new trees, and extensive plantings of azaleas and rhododendrons. The Ernest Mayo-designed gazebo, which had formerly been a cupola atop the Evanston City Hall, was acquired in 1979. Over the years additional improvements and plantings have been undertaken, with major work occuring in 1992-93 in conjunction with construction of an addition to the house. Additional redesign took place in 1995 and 1999. The garden was featured in the Open Days Program for the Garden Conservancy of America in 1999. From spruce trees to flowering perennials, from oak leaf hydrangea to miniature roses, this garden is characterized by its variety of plantings and its continuous evolution over the years.
- Persons and firms associated with the garden include: Edward K. Hardy, Jr., (former owner, 1909-1924); Dr. D. B. Peck (former owner, 1924-1955); Mr. and Mrs. E. I. Hesbol (former owners, 1955-1977); Ernest Mayo (architect, 1909); Lajos Horvath (gardener, 1978-1984); Hennon Carson (gardener, 1984 to date); Bonny Ford (landscape designer, 1999 to date); Intrinsic Design (landscape designers and gardeners, 1978 to date); and ILT Vignocchi (landscape architects and contractors, 1993 to date).
- Former owner
- Hardy, Edward K., Jr.
- Peck, D. B. Dr.
- Hesbol, E. I.
- Hesbol, E. I., Mrs.
- Architect
- Mayo, Ernest, 1865-1946
- Gardener
- Horvath, Lajos, d. 1999
- Carson, Hennon
- Landscape designer
- Ford, Bonny
- Intrinsic Design
- Gardener
- Intrinsic Design
- Landscape architect
- ILT Vignocchi
- Contractor
- ILT Vignocchi
- Provenance
- Garden Club of Evanston (Evanston, Ill.)
- Collection Creator
- Garden Club of America
- Place
- Bent Oaks (Evanston, Illinois)
- United States of America -- Illinois -- Cook County -- Evanston
- Topic
- Gardens -- Illinois -- Evanston
- Former owner
- Hardy, Edward K., Jr.
- Peck, D. B. Dr.
- Hesbol, E. I.
- Hesbol, E. I., Mrs.
- Architect
- Mayo, Ernest, 1865-1946
- Gardener
- Horvath, Lajos, d. 1999
- Carson, Hennon
- Landscape designer
- Ford, Bonny
- Intrinsic Design
- Gardener
- Intrinsic Design
- Landscape architect
- ILT Vignocchi
- Contractor
- ILT Vignocchi
- See more items in
- The Garden Club of America collection
- The Garden Club of America collection / Series 1: United States Gardens / Illinois
- 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.
- Archival Repository
- Archives of American Gardens
- Identifier
- AAG.GCA, File IL109
- 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.
- Scope and Contents
- The folder includes a worksheet, a detailed history of the garden, a site plan, and plant lists.
- 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.
