Far Hills -- Carpenter Garden

Object Details

General: Designed by Nelva M. Weber, this was the garden of Fairbank and Marion Farnsworth Carpenter, native Chicagoans who moved to New Jersey in 1955. The extent of the photographic documentation suggests that this was an important site for both Weber and Molly Adams. Several images and a plan were included in Weber's 1976 book and in other publications, some as early as 1960, indicating that this may have been one of Molly Adams's earliest photographic projects. Weber's design included a brick patio with a fast-growing honey locust as a focal point and free-form borders separating the brick area from the house. A stone wall separated the patio from a dropoff at the back of the house, which faced a grassy area edged with daylilies. A swimming pool was defined by a stone wall and featured outdoor seating. Overall, the design aimed to merge indoor and outdoor living in an informal atmosphere, but also featured traditional design accents, such as an armillary sphere.; Persons associated with the garden include Nelva M. Weber (landscape architect, ca. 1959-1973) and Fairbank and Marion Farnsworth Carpenter (former owners, ca. 1955-1983).

Landscape architect: Weber, Nelva M.
Former owner: Carpenter, Fairbank, d. 1983; Carpenter, Marion Farnsworth, d. 1986
Collection Creator: Adams, Molly, 1918-2003

Place: Carpenter Garden (Far Hills, New Jersey); United States of America -- New Jersey -- Somerset County -- Far Hills

Landscape architect: Weber, Nelva M.
Former owner: Carpenter, Fairbank, d. 1983; Carpenter, Marion Farnsworth, d. 1986

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 Nelva M. Weber, "Patterns in Brick," Bulletin of the New York Horticultural Society, April 1960, p. 3. Garden has been featured in The New York Times, October 23, 1966. Garden has been featured in Popular Gardening & Living Outdoors, Spring 1967, p. 26. Garden has been featured in Nelva M. Weber, How to Plan Your Own Home Landscape (Indianapolis/New York: Bobbs-Merrill, 1976), pp. 36, 68, 107, and 160.

Scope and Contents: The folder includes worksheets, photocopies of published images of the garden, and other information.

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: Carpenter Garden related holdings consist of 1 folder (9 photographic prints; 33 contact prints; 51 safety film negatives)