A Walking Tour of Shelburne Farms' Olmsted Landscape Features

Adult Programs

A view of the Shelburne Farm walking trails in spring.

Please join Patricia O'Donnell, FASLA and Greg DeVries, ASLA of Heritage Landscapes, LLC on a walking tour of Shelburne Farms with a focus on Frederick Law Olmsted Sr.’s landscape heritage and design concepts. Olmsted, founder of the landscape architecture profession, designed the Shelburne Farms landscape with the Webb’s from 1886 to 1891. As Shelburne Farms’ Landscape Architects, our tour leaders have guided Shelburne Farms for 23 years on plans and projects that preserve and recapture aspects of this historic landscape, and National Historic Landmark, addressing the drives, trails, views, tree renewal and a new silvopasture planting. Their work honors the historic landscape while addressing access, enjoyment, sustainability, climate change and carbon drawdown.

The walking tour will begin at the Farm Store parking lot and will end at the Formal Gardens at the Inn and will cover approximately 4 miles (roundtrip) of mostly flat trail terrain of crushed gravel. A shuttle will be provided for returning from the Inn to the Farm Store for those that are interested.

To learn more about Olmsted’s involvement at Shelburne Farms, enjoy this blog post from our website: Olmsted's Vision at Shelburne Farms.