Places named for Olmste(a)ds
In development — this will be a listing of places other than communities
CALIFORNIA
Yosemite National Park
Olmsted Point
KENTUCKY
Louisville
“The Olmsted” is located on the campus of the former Masonic Widows and Orphans Home in the historic Crescent Hill–St. Matthews area of Louisville.
Designed by the architectural firm of Joseph and Joseph and constructed between 1925 and 1927, the eight cottages and other buildings were arranged on an elongated oval landscape plan with most of the buildings placed along the outer edge of the 80-acre property. At the center of the plan was Johnson Hall, the “dining hall” which was the center of activity for the occupants of the Home.
Named in honor of Frederick Law Olmsted Jr and his firm “The Olmsted Brothers,” who were well recognized in in the city at that time, having designed numerous parks and other projects in Louisville since the late nineteenth century. FLO Jr continued the legacy of his family by specializing in the preservation of natural park like settings, especially in urban areas. Believing that natural environments provided healthier living conditions, he designed many of these areas for neighborhoods with a predominance of concrete.
The Home’s landscape design includes mature trees lining the paved driveways and two large grass areas in the center of the complex. The setting provided the occupants of the Home an abundance of natural space for activities and relaxation.
The building sat virtually vacant from the early 1980s to 1997 when with a commitment from The Masons, the Masterson family envisioned Louisville’s premiere stand alone special event facility and created “The Olmsted” returning it its old world glory. Since then “The Olmsted” has become the premier event center serving the community for weddings, community events and corporate entertaining. [Extracted from www.theolmsted.com, 20 Aug 2026]
Website and contact information are found here.
and Olmste(a)d Family Association, 2017-2026
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