Seattle has one of the most extensively developed Olmsted park systems in the United States, yet the story of how it came into existence has never been fully explored or described – until now, that is.

A new book, Olmsted in Seattle: Creating a Park System for a Modern City, by Jennifer Ott, is due for release this fall and is the culmination of an 18-month effort by HistoryLink and Documentary Media, in partnership with Friends of Seattle’s Olmsted Parks (FSOP). The book traces the story of how, in the midst of galloping growth at the turn of the twentieth century, Seattle’s city leaders seized on the confluence of a roaring economy with the City Beautiful movement to hire the Olmsted Brothers landscape architecture firm. Their 1903 plan led to a supplemental plan, a playground plan, numerous park and boulevard designs, changes to park system management, and a ripple effect for the firm, as the Olmsted Brothers were subsequently hired to design public and private landscapes throughout the region.

Join us for a book talk with author Jennifer Ott, environmental historian and assistant director of HistoryLink. Due to the release date of the book (11/16), books may not be available for sale at the time of this talk.
No RSVP necessary

This event is free, with a suggested donation of $5 to support UW Botanic Gardens public education programs.