Historical Note

Scope and Contents of the Collection

Athletic Fields

Botanic Garden

Arboretum Planting Plans

Campus

Capen Garden 1970's-1990's

Capen Garden - Mary Mattison van Schaik Tulip Garden 1985-1997

Central Heating System 1946-1949, 1962

Chapin Lawn 1967

College Lane 1932

Dial Telephone 1932-1961

Garden: Alice O. Smith Memorial Rhododendron Garden 1983

Gates

Hospital Hill

Ivy 1978, 1990

Japanese Garden 1986-1999

Japanese Tea Garden: "The Japanese Tea Hut and Garden" by Mami Oyama 1997

Lamont Bridge 1930-1987

Lamont Bridge: Dedication 1931, 1985

Lanning Fountain 1911-1986

Lanning Fountain Photographs 1912-1995

Lanning Fountain Restoration- Adam Jenkins Files 1967-1998

Mill River 1998

Orchard

Outdoor Track and Field Facility 1986, n.d.

Paradise Road 1989-1999

President's Garden 1994, n.d.

Pump 1929

Sculpture 1988-1992

Seats: Class of 1883

Sprinkler System

State Hospital Property 1916 -1917, 1997

Sun Dial 1923, 1983, 1988

Trees 1939-2000

Trees: Elms 1900-1988

Vernon Street Lot 1997-

Paradise Pond

Smith College Campus Landscape Master Plan

Index Seminum the Botanic Garden of Smith College 1974/1975-1990/1991

Index Seminum the Botanic Garden of Smith College 1991/1992-2000/2001

Grounds Subject Files, 1879-[ongoing]

Finding Aid

Finding aid prepared by Tiffany Tawzer.

© 2006


Collection Overview
	Creator:	Smith College.
	Title:	Grounds Subject Files
	Dates:	1879-[ongoing]
	Abstract:	The Grounds Subject Files contain information relating to the history, composition, and physical features of the Smith College Campus.
	Extent:	11 boxes(3.4 linear ft.)
	Language:	English
	Identification:	RG 24

Historical Note

In 1892, plans designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted were adopted by President Seelye to turn the Smith College campus into a single large botanic garden, labeling all trees and shrub for aesthetic and educational purposes. Francis Ganong was appointed the first director of the botanic garden in 1894, and a systematics garden, based on the theories of Adolf Engler and Karl Prantl was added to the plan under his direction. The master plan has undergone numerous changes, including new systems of walkways and lawns, the expansion of the Lyman Plant House, the construction of a Japanese tea hut and garden, and the reorganization of the herbaceous garden according to more current evolutionary theories.

Return to the Table of Contents

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Grounds Subject Files contain materials describing the history of the campus as a botanic garden and the changes to the master plan, lists of plantings and specimen placement, as well as information regarding the physical features of the campus, such as Paradise Pond, and structures and memorial pieces such as the Grecourt Gates and Lanning fountain. Types of materials include photographs, newspaper clippings, maps, pamphlets, lists, and letters.