Convent Station -- Billings Garden

Object Details

General: This was the garden of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver C. Billings, Jr., and featured a glass-roofed plant room extending from the living room of their house. In this area they raised bougainvillea, begonias, passion flowers, climbing fig, orchids, and even bonsai. Outside, the wooded site provided shade for the plant room and an environment into which many of the plants could be moved during warmer months. Other features of the property included a Florida room with louvered walls and an adjacent outdoor seating area, and a small pond with aquatic plants. A letter in the file would seem to indicate that many of the photographs were taken in 1960, although some images may have been taken as late as 1965 in anticipation of publication with the New York Times article cited below.; Persons associated with the garden include Mr. and Mrs. Oliver C. Billings, Jr. (former owners, ca. 1960-?).

Place: Billings Garden (Convent Station, New Jersey); United States of America -- New Jersey -- Morris County -- Convent Station

See more items in: Maida Babson Adams American garden collection.; Maida Babson Adams American garden collection. / Series 1: Garden Images / New Jersey

Collection Citation: Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, Maida Babson Adams American garden collection.

Collection Rights: Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Bibliography: Garden has been featured in Thomas Powell, "House Plants for the Collector," The New York Times, February 21, 1965.

Scope and Contents: The folder includes worksheets, a photocopy of a newspaper article with images of the garden, and a 1960 letter (presumably by Molly Adams) to the managing editor of Flower Grower Magazine.

Collection Restrictions: Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Related Materials: Billings Garden related holdings consist of 1 folder (3 photographic prints; 68 safety film negatives)