Research Queries

To post a research query on our website, please write a brief summary (no more than 500 words) about the practitioner and/or the landscape. Please provide one to two images to illustrate your request. TCLF reviews, posts, and updates the queries and responses as they are submitted. Submit queries to nancy@tclf.org

Herman Haerlin (1832-1905)

Herman Haerlin was born in July of 1832 in Württemberg Germany and died October 11th 1905 in Cincinnati. His company Haerlin & Haerlin, which was based in Cincinnati was hired in 1896 to design and implement landscape architecture for a newly donated tract of land which became Snyder Park. Some sources claim he was a student of Olmsted but thus far these claims are not corroborated by any outside evidence.

Fred Barlow, Jr. (1902-1953)

Baldwin Hills Village, a National Historic Landmark community now called Village Green in Los Angeles, was built in 1941. The Board of Directors at Village Green has undertaken a Cultural Landscape Report and is seeking any leads or information regarding the life and career of Fred Barlow, Jr. (1902-1953).

Gardens Designed by John Nolen (1869 - 1937)

I am seeking information on gardens designed by John Nolen.

A garden he reportedly designed in Cambridge, Massachusetts is in jeopardy of being demolished and the author seeks to know if this may be one of the few extent examples of his work.

Florida Chapter ASLA Landscape Architects (1959 - 2009)

Florida landscape architects were joined with the Southeast Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects until 1959, the year the Florida Chapter was formed. Among the founding members of the Florida Chapter, ASLA, were Bill Phillips, Fred Stressau, Jon Seymour, Bob Neal, Jim Voss, Herrick Smith, Porter Reynolds, Ray Collins, Pete Allen, and Bill O’Leary. 

Charles Nassau Lowrie (1869-1939)

In 1925, a young landscape gardener named Frederick Boissevain left a growing business on Long Island to the care of his partner for two months and traveled to Austerlitz, New York to assist his aunt, the poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, and uncle, Eugen Boissevain, with developing their new property, Steepletop.

Frederick W. Boissevain (1904-1943)

In 1925, a young landscape gardener named Frederick Boissevain left a growing business on Long Island to the care of his partner for two months and traveled to Austerlitz, New York to assist his aunt, the poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, and uncle, Eugen Boissevain, with developing their new property, Steepletop.

Caparn Unidentified Home Landscape

Harold A. Caparn (1864-1945) was born in England and educated there and at L'Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris. Beside designing much of the Bronx Zoo and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, from about 1900 through the 1930s he designed landscapes for many private estates and homes.

Bruce Porter (1865-1953)

Born in San Francisco, California, Bruce Porter (1865-1953) was educated in Europe. Mostly known as a painter and muralist and champion of Art Nouveau in California, Porter is also credited with the design for the gardens at Filoli, working with architect Willis Polk and Arthur Brown, Jr.

Landscape Architect John J. Watson

In 1924, Ohio landscape architect John J. Watson (1876-1950) was hired by circus tycoon John Ringling (1866-1936) to design "Ringling Isles" on four western Florida keys: St. Armand's, Coon, Lido, and Otter. Harding Circle, at the center of St. Armand's Key, was to be the jewel in the crown of this enormous venture consisting of resorts, a casino, and a subdivision of fine residences.  Watson's plan bifurcated the oval-shaped key with two main arteries, Boulevard of the Presidents and Ringling Boulevard, converging on a circular park called Harding Place.