Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site adventure.
See the desk where America’s most famous parks were dreamed up. This historic house was the office of Olmsted's landscape architecture firm. Named Fairsted, the Federal farmhouse gives fans a look into his life. His work area is of particular interest, holding his typewriter and drafting tools.
Frederick Law Olmsted moved to the Brookline home in 1883. Henry Hobson Richardson, a prominent architect, and Olmsted’s frequent collaborator, already lived in the area. Olmsted once said he was at his most creative working with Richardson. The purchase of Fairsted strengthened their partnership. Olmsted finished several of his greatest landscape designs here. He completed the Emerald Necklace, a chain of parks in Boston. He also contributed designs to the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago.
Fairsted stayed in the Olmsted family until the 1930s. Sadly, later owners made significant changes to the landscaping in the 1960s. The office wing, added by Olmsted himself, remains original. You can see his large drafting tables, rolled-up blueprints, and antique filing system. Olmsted’s archives are also here, but not available for general viewing.
Today, the National Park Service manages the property. The grounds are open to the public year-round. The staff provides free tours of the home from late-May through mid-September. During the off-season, home tours are generally available on Fridays and Saturdays.