The GCA’s Collection of Documented Gardens
The Smithsonian Archives of American Gardens inspires new ways of interpreting garden history and design so that America’s rich garden heritage can be better understood, appreciated, and enjoyed today and in the future.
The Archives of American Gardens’ long standing collaboration with The Garden Club of America (GCA) has resulted in nearly 5,000 gardens being documented by GCA member clubs throughout the U.S. for The Garden Club of America Collection at AAG.
Why Document Gardens? Gardens seldom follow a regimented design formula; they echo and highlight the region, culture, history and personal tastes that influence them. Despite their uniqueness, gardens are such a subtle and natural part of our surroundings they are often taken for granted and may not be “noticed” until they are in danger of disappearing or are gone completely.
Photo of “Olmsted Design #4 Orchestration of Use” 1933 Glass Slide by Thornewood (Tacoma, WA)
Documenting a garden helps to address the importance of recognizing its particular significance. It may take years for this recognition to occur, but when it does, it is crucial to have images to study in order to understand and appreciate the thought process and work involved in the garden’s creation.
“Only the foresight of The Garden Club of America to photograph what were then ‘contemporary gardens’ saved these gardens from total oblivion.”
Indeed, the most frequently used portion of The Garden Club of America Collection at the Archives of American Gardens are the glass lantern slides that were created in the 1920s and 1930s. Only the foresight of The Garden Club of America to photograph what were then ‘contemporary gardens’ saved these gardens from total oblivion.
Sample images from the GCA’s Collection at the Smithsonian Archives of American Gardens.
This historic collection began with the GCA’s donation of over 3,000 hand-colored glass-lantern slides dating from the 1920s and 1930s along with 37,000 35mm slide images of historic and contemporary gardens.
“New gardens are meticulously documented and contributed to the collection each year by GCA member clubs.”
The cooperative relationship between the GCA and AAG has resulted in a growing portfolio of documented gardens throughout the United States. New gardens are meticulously documented and contributed to the collection each year by GCA member clubs.
The GCA’s Collection is now one of many within the Smithsonian Institution's Archives of American Gardens and the garden records and images can be viewed online.