Dunn Gardens, Historic garden in Seattle, US.
Dunn Gardens is the 7.5-acre remnant of Arthur G. Dunn Sr.'s 10-acre estate in Seattle's Broadview neighbourhood. The Olmsted Brothers firm, through designer James Frederick Dawson, laid out the grounds from 1915, keeping the existing Douglas firs and adding deciduous trees. The eastern side stayed in its natural state, while the western side facing Puget Sound held tennis courts, a croquet lawn, a vegetable garden, a chicken house, a gardener's cottage, a garage and a flower garden.
Arthur G. Dunn Sr. bought 10 acres here in 1914 from John B. Agen and hired the Olmsted Brothers, whose employee James Frederick Dawson designed the landscape in 1915–1916. The Olmsted firm kept the existing Douglas firs and added deciduous trees. After Dunn's death in 1945 the land passed to his children; 2.5 acres were sold in 1952, leaving today's 7.5 acres. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 15, 1994.
Edward B. Dunn, who lived here until 1991, named his roughly one-hectare planting the E.B. Dunn Woodland Garden and filled it with Pacific Northwest natives, especially rhododendrons; he led the American Rhododendron Society from 1965 to 1969. Past public events have included a croquet afternoon with guests dressed as characters from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
Access requires scheduling your visit in advance, typically through organized tours. Check the official website to confirm what times the property is open and what to expect on your arrival.
Edward B. Dunn, who lived on the grounds until 1991, was president of the American Rhododendron Society (1965–1969), and a rhododendron species was named after him. He converted the old garage into his house and planted the one-acre E.B. Dunn Woodland Garden on the former vegetable plot, with winding trails through native Pacific Northwest flora.
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