Community residents are invited to hear Matthew Evans, Landscape Architect of the U.S. Capitol, describe the influence of Frederick Law Olmsted and his sons on the development of suburbs like Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Evans will speak on "Where We Live, Where We Work: The Olmsted Influence in America" at the Chevy Chase Historical Society’s Spring Meeting on Wednesday, May 16, at Chevy Chase Village Hall at 8 p.m. The meeting is open to all.
Considered the father of American landscape architecture, Olmsted urged a separation of business place and residence, a revolutionary idea at the turn of the 20th century. He envisioned suburbs connected to the city by commuter trains as relaxed country settings with winding streets and abundant tree canopy – a calm contrast to the rigors of noisy, densely populated cities.
Matthew Evans will tell how these Olmsted design principles influenced early suburbs like Riverside, Illinois and Chevy Chase.
Evans is a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects and Senior Landscape Architect and Horticulturist of the U.S. Capitol. Projects he has designed during his 16 years at the U.S. Capitol include Bartholdi Park, the Senate Rain Garden and a four-acre park connecting the Rayburn House Office Building with Metro’s Federal Center Southwest Station.
The public is invited to the May 16 program, which will begin at 8 p.m. following a short annual business meeting. Questions may be directed to Marilyn Montgomery at 301/656-2295.
