The Friends of Villa Terrace Present
“Olmsted laid out what he believed to be the self-evident reason for establishing state and national parks, stressing their purpose, social values, and proper uses by the public. Citizens of all classes, he said, had the right to enjoy natural beauty, and the government should protect that right.”
Frederick Law Olmsted, 1895
by John Singer Sargent (1856–1925);
Oil on canvas, 100 x 55 in.
Courtesy of Biltmore House, Asheville, NC
The Friends of Villa Terrace present In the Park with Olmsted: A Vision for Milwaukee, an exhibition on the life and legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted (1822–1903) and the first concerted look at the “Father of Landscape Architecture’s” contributions to Milwaukee. The history and evolution of the three public parks designed by Olmsted and his firm—Lake Park, Riverside Park and Washington Park—are showcased through a wide range of media, including archival maps, high-definition videos, and a three-dimensional model. Vintage postcards and historic images accompany contemporary photographs by local and nationally recognized artists to tell the story of Olmsted’s profound influence on the greening of America’s cities through his ideal of “parks for all people.”
The exhibition, hosted by Charles Allis and Villa Terrace Art Museums (CAVT) and guest curated by Annemarie Sawkins and Martha Chaiklin, will include extensive programming and thoughtful presentations and conversations on Olmsted’s democratic ideals, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice.
This exhibition is presented as part of the nationwide celebration of Frederick Law Olmsted, spearheaded by the National Association for Olmsted Parks. Visit this site and Olmsted200 for more information on Olmsted and upcoming events across the country.
Highlights from the Exhibition
Presenting Sponsor
Lead Sponsor
Joseph R. Pabst Fund, Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Exhibition Sponsors and Supporters
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Mary L. Nohl Fund
Shorewest, REALTORS® Northshore Office
Partners
Land Acknowledgment
“We acknowledge in Milwaukee that we are on traditional Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk and Menominee homeland along the southwest shores of Michigami, North America’s largest system of freshwater lakes, where the Milwaukee, Menominee and Kinnikinic rivers meet and the people of Wisconsin’s sovereign Anishinaabe, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Oneida and Mohican nations remain present.”—Electa Quinney, Institute for American Indian Education at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
National Association for Olmsted Parks
1200 18th Street NW Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20036
Tel: 202-223-9113
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Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum
2220 N. Terrace Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53202