Frederick Law Olmsted was the primary landscape designer behind George Vanderbilt’s estate. Photography courtesy of The Biltmore Company
Frederick Law Olmsted is known as the founder of American landscape architecture. He designed 100 public parks and recreation grounds, including Central Park, the master plan for Stanford University, and — lucky for us — the Biltmore Estate. This year, to celebrate Olmsted’s 200th birthday and groundbreaking work, Biltmore has added signage at points of interest in his honor. Here’s what to know before you go.
Look for signs on Biltmore’s grounds! These stops will feature engaging stories about Olmsted’s life and why he believed that well-designed, wide-open green spaces and outdoor areas could improve our personal health.
Descriptive markers are located around the Italian, Shrub, and Walled gardens; the Library and South terraces; the Pergola; the Rampe Douce; and on the Deer Park Trail that runs behind the house.
Biltmore is one of more than 120 nationwide organizations that are planning events and programming to celebrate Olmsted’s 200th birthday. To read more, visit olmsted200.org.
Biltmore
1 Lodge Street
Asheville, NC 28803
(800) 411-3812
biltmore.com
On weekends, For Garden’s Sake visitors can relax with their furry companions. photograph by Alex Boerner
Order a Sunset Slush Special from The Potting Shed while relaxing at For Garden’s Sake. photograph by Alex Boerner
At The Potting Shed, a beverage stand at the garden center For Garden’s Sake, shoppers line up to order a Sunset Slush Special — champagne or Moscato poured over a few scoops of smooth Italian ice. Co-owner Marsha Pearce prefers strawberry lemonade or peach with a Moscato pour-over, but grapefruit, pineapple, and watermelon flavors are also offered seasonally. Customers can sip on their Sunset Slush Special or a locally brewed beer, hard cider, hard seltzer, wine, champagne, or mimosa while browsing the garden center’s April collection of snapdragons, geraniums, azaleas, and dogwood trees.
For Garden’s Sake
9197 NC Highway 751
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 484-9759
fgsdurham.com
photograph by M-GUCCI/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS
Join astronomy fans at Fort Macon State Park to identify Orion, the Little Dipper, and maybe even a neighboring planet! Fort Macon is one of 35 locations across North Carolina that will provide telescopes for this 10th annual event. During the day, visitors can participate in hands-on activities before heading to the beach access to observe the night sky.
2303 East Fort Macon Road
Atlantic Beach, NC 28512
(252) 247-3100
ncsciencefestival.org/starparty
For more April events, click here.
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