Planting Fields: A Place on Long Island is the first monograph dedicated to Planting Fields, one of the few surviving Gold Coast estates of Long Island, New York. This beautiful publication, published by Monacelli Press/ Phaidon captures the estate’s architectural and landscape significance while positioning it within the broader historical and cultural context of the region.  

Don’t miss the events surrounding the launch of this exciting publication release:

Creative Spirits: An Evening with Witold Rybczynski 
Thursday, May 15 | 6 – 8pm | $35 per person

During this after-hours exclusive at the Main House with acclaimed architect, author, and historian Witold Rybczynski, we’ll explore the architectural beauty of Planting Fields, the ways the site has evolved over time, and the key figures who shaped its design. Planting Fields: A Place on Long Island, is available for pre-order now and will be available for purchase for $66 (including tax) at the event. Learn more and register now. 

Book Release Celebration: Planting Fields: A Place on Long Island
Friday, May 16 | 6 – 8:30pm | Free with registration

Join us for an exciting evening featuring a book release-reception, followed by remarks and a book signing. Hear from the contributors as they share insights into the book’s themes and the stories behind this beloved site! Planting Fields: A Place on Long Island is available for pre-order and will be available to purchase the night of the event. Learn more and register now!

Planting Fields is a rare example of an English Country House estate transplanted to the North Shore of Long Island, approximately 30 miles from Manhattan. Originally the home of William R. (W.R.) Coe, chairman of Johnson & Higgins, and his wife, Mai Rogers Coe, heir to the Standard Oil fortune, the lavish estate features a grand Tudor-revival mansion set amidst 400 acres of rolling lawns, woodlands, and formal gardens. Designed by the Olmsted Brothers, this historic landscape is now open to the public as a New York State Historic Park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and welcomes over 200,000 visitors annually. 

Planting Fields is structured as a series of essays by leading historians and preservationists, each offering a unique perspective on the estate’s rich history. In “A Country Place and Its Makers”, Witold Rybczynski untangles the complex story of the estate’s twentieth-century development, examining the influence of its designers, owners, and caretakers. Jennifer Anderson’s essay then takes readers back to the land’s earlier history, tracing the story of the Matinecock tribe, their displacement by European settlers, the growth of Oyster Bay, and the agricultural and industrial transformations of the nineteenth century that paved the way for the region’s wealthy industrialists.  

The book also explores the estate’s renowned landscape design. John Dixon Hunt’s essay, “On Planting Fields and the Making of Place” situates the estate within the broader tradition of English landscape design, while Arleyn A. Levee examines the Olmsted Brothers’ design for the property, contextualizing it among the firm’s other notable Long Island projects. The final section of the book turns toward the future, with Patricia M. O’Donnell’s essay on preserving and sustainably managing Planting Fields in response to contemporary environmental challenges. 

This beautifully crafted book, featuring new photography by David Almeida alongside historic images, sketches, and original Olmsted Brothers plans, offers an in-depth exploration of the estate’s history and evolution, and offering both a contemporary understanding and a deep sense of history and place. It is a must-read for landscape and architecture enthusiasts, preservationists, and those interested in the Gold Coast of Long Island. 

Planting Fields Foundation is proud to make the story of Planting Fields accessible to the public and share the history and relevance of the site to a broader audience. Established in 1952 by W.R. Coe, Planting Fields Foundation (PFF) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit dedicated to the preservation and public engagement of our 409-acre historic site. 

Take the story of Planting Fields home with you: copies of Planting Fields: A Place on Long Island will be available for purchase and signing at the events above, and will be available for purchase in the Visitor Center at Planting Fields beginning May 21, 2025. The Visitor Center is open Friday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm.