Finally, there's a real plan and a real organization to save Dumbarton Oaks Park. Designed by celebrated landscape architect Beatrix Farrand as part of the original estate owned by Mildred and Robert Bliss, the property was split up in 1940. The buildings and gardens were donated to Harvard University and the 27-acre park was donated to the National Park Service and then fell into disrepair due to a lack of funds and other problems.
On April 12th, Dumbarton celebrated its 70th anniversary, and a new organization -- the Dumbarton Oaks Park Conservancy -- was officially launched to raise money for the restoration of the park and its perpetual maintenance.
The president of the conservancy is Roberta Trafton, a founder of the organization and also producer of GardenStory, a PBS series on the ways gardens influence peoples' lives. Joining Trafton at the ceremony was Harvard University professor E.O. Wilson, a biologist and two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for general non-fiction. Wilson spent much of his childhood exploring the park and after the event said that the landscape likely needs a plan to overcome flooding problems before supporters can tackle its biological restoration.
(photo: Dumbarton Oaks Conservancy)
Glad to hear about this new development. One thing that needs to be addressed is the wear on the landscape from the many dogs walked and let loose every day down there. Not sure how that can be handled, but it greatly contributes to erosion.
Posted by: Cheryl Corson | April 18, 2011 at 07:08 AM
Dumbarton Oaks is a national treasure. The name of the new organization is Dumbarton Oaks Park Conservancy www.dopark.org,which is owned by the National Park Service. This is not to be confused with Dumbarton Oaks www.doaks.org, which comprises the ornamental gardens that people are familiar with. The DOPC organizer is Rebecca Trafton
Posted by: Judith B Tankard | April 18, 2011 at 07:03 AM
We visited D.O. last spring and enjoyed our time there but wished the buildings were open for touring.
The gardens were delightful.
Hopefully, the restoration will include the historic home as well as the gardens.
Posted by: Martha | April 17, 2011 at 10:55 PM