February 6, 2019
Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens,
One question is often raised: "What do the gardeners do in the winter?" With a landscape that has been long neglected, there is plenty to do! A recent project was the removal of a redundant, dilapidated deer fence west of the Walled Garden. This simple job has revealed a thrilling new view and approach to our evolving Lilac Walk, next to Samuel Untermyer's ancient Japanese maples. This whole area was previously inaccessible.
Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens,
One question is often raised: "What do the gardeners do in the winter?" With a landscape that has been long neglected, there is plenty to do! A recent project was the removal of a redundant, dilapidated deer fence west of the Walled Garden. This simple job has revealed a thrilling new view and approach to our evolving Lilac Walk, next to Samuel Untermyer's ancient Japanese maples. This whole area was previously inaccessible.
Note the ruined fountain on the right. We believe that Untermyer purchased it from John D. Rockefeller when he was rebuilding his fountains at Kykuit. It initially had pride of place in front of the mansion before it was replaced around 1917 by the famous Dancing Maidens, now in the Conservatory Garden in Central Park. Unfortunately, the bronze sculptures that adorned the fountain are at the Hudson River Museum; other parts were vandalized.
Over the years, we have acquired various items of historical interest for our archives. Remarkable events took place here during the Untermyer period and not so remarkable afterwards. If you have old photographs of Untermyer Park and Gardens from any period, we would love to see them. Simply reply to this email, and we will get back to you.
Thank you to our friends!
The returns are in: Last year we raised the bar yet higher in the number of donations from our many friends. We received recordable donations from 1,071 people, up by 29 percent from 829 in 2017. With no admission charge to the garden, this support is vital to us.
Our Board of Directors continues to evolve, and we welcomed Harris Lirtzman and Edward Sabol, both Yonkers residents, as new members in 2018. Their energy and interest in the garden will enrich our progress. We extend grateful thanks to Larry Feldman and Josyane Colwell, departing Board members who were early and strong supporters of the garden.
Our Walled Garden was a world-famous sensation before World War II. Of course, we know that it is a Persian garden, part of the richest vein of garden types going back thousands of years. What is less well known is that India has possibly the finest collection of Persian gardens, most of them built during the Mughal Empire. In its heyday (1508-1658), it was the largest economic and manufacturing power in the world.
The returns are in: Last year we raised the bar yet higher in the number of donations from our many friends. We received recordable donations from 1,071 people, up by 29 percent from 829 in 2017. With no admission charge to the garden, this support is vital to us.
Our Board of Directors continues to evolve, and we welcomed Harris Lirtzman and Edward Sabol, both Yonkers residents, as new members in 2018. Their energy and interest in the garden will enrich our progress. We extend grateful thanks to Larry Feldman and Josyane Colwell, departing Board members who were early and strong supporters of the garden.
Our Walled Garden was a world-famous sensation before World War II. Of course, we know that it is a Persian garden, part of the richest vein of garden types going back thousands of years. What is less well known is that India has possibly the finest collection of Persian gardens, most of them built during the Mughal Empire. In its heyday (1508-1658), it was the largest economic and manufacturing power in the world.
Our winter lecture, on March 11 in Manhattan, will examine the design and history of some of these great gardens, including the most famous of all, the Taj Mahal. Tickets are selling fast and we expect a full house, so please do not wait until the last moment to reserve your place. A reception will follow.
Kind regards,
Stephen F. Byrns
President, Untermyer Gardens Conservancy
Kind regards,
Stephen F. Byrns
President, Untermyer Gardens Conservancy
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