Free Lecture: Historic Landscape to Natural Setting

Historic Landscape to Natural Setting: The Evolution of the Gardens and Grounds of the Lord Mansion and the State Capital Museum

In 1922 the Lord family began to plan their new grand Olympia home set amid a park-like setting. Employing esteemed local architect Joseph Wohleb to design an elegant Mediterranean style home, they turned to renowned landscape designer Fred Cole of Kew Gardens in London to create a setting worthy of their new home and their position in the community and the state.

By the early 1990s, the historic Lord Mansion had now been home to the State Capital Museum for nearly fifty years. Museum curators with the help of professional landscape designers and many volunteers established an ethnobotanical garden on the grounds of the Mansion. It remains a living tribute to Curator Emeritus Delbert McBride, an acknowledged ethnobotanical expert.

The story of this historic landscape will be told by Susan Rohrer (Manager of the State Capital Museum) and Drew Crooks (original project director of the ethnobotanical garden). Living and growing together, the Kew Garden holly hedge and the Delbert McBride Ethnobotanical Garden today form a harmonious whole which welcomes the public to learn more about nature.

This public program is part of the Noon-Time Lecture Series at the State Capital Museum. Suggested donation to each presentation is $2. You are welcome to bring lunch. Coffee and tea will be served.