What stories can buildings, or their remnants, tell us? A palimpsest is a manuscript page whose surface has been removed to allow for new text, the term also lends itself to art and architecture. For instance, a mural with layers of paint or an architectural ruin. Here at Planting Fields, there is an incredibly layered history, which if you look closely, you’ll see fragments of the past. Each piece is a part of Planting Fields past: a different architect’s vision, Coe-era produce storage, and the midcentury home of the burgeoning State University of New York (SUNY) program.
The Coe’s purchased the property from the Byrne family in 1913, after the untimely fire of the Grosvenor Atterbury house in 1918, Atterbury designed remnants remained. For instance, a stable (designed for the Byrnes) was located in the present-day staff parking lot by the Main House. It had two floors, one for horses, and the second had bedrooms for workers. The Camellia Greenhouse was connected to the stable to draw from its heating system. Unfortunately, the stable burned down in 1924 when a spark from the heating plant on the roof of the building caught fire.
Camellia Greenhouse, north-south portion, attached to the Byrne-era stable, Courtesy of the National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
This brick pergola was once a vital part of the Cloister Garden. During its prime it was partially enclosed but likely was not maintained due to it being in the sight line of the newly developed Blue Pool Garden. Atterbury’s use of lammie brick, known for its crackled overburnt quality, in the Cloister Garden wall and pergola remnant are a direct link to the Byrne house.
Pergola, 1918. Courtesy of the National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
Today’s Sensory Garden sits on top of a root cellar, during the Coe era it had a structure above it to allow light and ventilation.
Top of Root Cellar, circa 1960.
Of course, the SUNY years left a mark, geodesic domes and the Butler lab building (named for the Butler Manufacturing company that specialized in pre-engineered steel buildings) near the Haybarn were necessary for classroom and administrative space. These buildings were all demolished, however the current conference center, is a holdover from this time (it was a gym during the SUNY era!) Read more about the domes here: https://plantingfields.org/geodesic_domes/
Geodesic Domes, circa 1960.
The Butler Lab Building, circa 1960.
All photos Planting Fields Foundation Archives unless otherwise noted.
From Director of Collections and Research, Marie Penny.