Gardens for a Beautiful America: The Photographs of Frances Benjamin Johnston October 29, 2012

At the opening of the 20th century, pioneering “house and garden” photojournalist Frances Benjamin Johnston (1864-1952) was front and center in the national movement to beautify America. Industrialism had brought a new prosperity to life in the 48 states, but at the price of once-green city streets and back yards. In response, civic organizations initiated the Garden Beautiful movement. To promote professional landscape design and horticultural diversity, they enlisted Johnston to photograph estate parterres and row house lots as models of new design. With colored slides from Johnston’s own collection, historian Sam Watters will speak about her work and life.
Register in advance. Fee through October 15: $20. Fee after October 15: $25