Places named for Olmste(a)ds
ARKANSAS
Heber Springs
Olmstead Funeral Home Museum — 1996 – Tom Olmstead — oldest active business in Cleburn County
CALIFORNIA
Yosemite National Park
Olmsted Point
ILLINOIS
Olmsted Museum
INDIANA
Indianapolis
The Olmsted Museum in Indiana, specifically the Oldfields-Lilly House & Gardens, showcases the landscape architecture of Frederick Law Olmsted and his firm. This historic site features beautiful gardens and is part of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, offering insights into Olmsted’s design philosophy and its impact on American landscapes. The Olmsted Museum offers a unique glimpse into landscape architecture.
- Historic Significance — Oldfields-Lilly House is a National Historic Landmark, reflecting the legacy of the Lilly family and Olmsted’s design principles.
- Gardens — The estate includes 26 acres of formal and informal gardens, designed to enhance the natural beauty of the landscape.
- Educational Programs — The museum provides various programs and tours that educate visitors about Olmsted’s contributions to landscape architecture.
- Art Integration — As part of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the site integrates art and nature, showcasing how landscapes can be artistic expressions.
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]
NEW YORK
Cornwall-on-Hudson
The Olmsted Center in Orange County has two program areas on land given by John and Sarah Olmsted. Camp Olmsted was founded in 1901 as part of the “Fresh Air Movement” by the Five Points Mission of New York City as a location out of the city for disadvantaged youth to experience something other than their gang ridden everyday life of the city. In 1990 the Five Points Mission had completed renovation of a Victorian mansion, now known as the “Manor House” adjacent to Camp Olmsted. The Olmsted Retreat Center offers programs, meals, and housing for faith-based organizations out of the city in a relaxing county atmosphere. Since 1997 both are managed by the United Methodist City Society. The Olmsted Center is located within Storm King NYS Park.
Goshen
Boy Scout Camp Olmsted
PENNSYLVANIA
Ludlow
Olmsted Manor Retreat Center, former estate home of George Welch and Catherine (Groves) Olmsted, was gifted by the family to the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church in the 1960s. Since then, following suitable renovations, improvements, and expansion of facilities it now serves individuals and small groups with appropriate programs conducted in the park like setting far from the hustle and bustle of city life. Photos, programs, and facilities can be found on their Internet site.
Russell
Boy Scout Camp Olmsted is located on the west shore of the Allegany Reservoir. Named in honor of Warren County resident of Olmsted Manor, Robert Groves Olmsted, who was a Chairman of the camping committee of the BSA National Council and benefactor in the creation of the site in the Allegany National Forest in 1927. The camp of 485 acres has three miles of shore line and facilities for year-around use by Scouts and other groups. Photos and programs here.
and Olmste(a)d Family Association, 2017-2026
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