Frederick Law Olmsted: Landscape Architecture and North American National Parks

ABSTRACT

The present study contributes to the field of environmental history and deals with landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. This article analyzes Olmsted’s writings, important figures in his personal and professional formation, and the context in which he rose to fame, all of which shaped his conception of protecting nature. This article’s purpose is to understand the context in which Olmsted’s work developed, as well as his work’s relationship with North America’s first national parks. Its conclusions highlight: i) Olmsted’s perception that a healthy relationship between humans and nature should be sought, and ii) his legacy in nineteenth-century American society, especially regarding to the question of valuing wilderness.

Keywords:
environmental history; wilderness; protection of nature; Central Park; Yosemite