Naumkeag….let there be flowers..and sheep!

In the 1880s-1890s, Nathan Barrett created a series of terraced lawns behind the house and formal elements like the Arborvitae Allée, Linden Walk, and two formal flower gardens (site of today’s Evergreen and Chinese Gardens). The remaining acres were left as sloping lawns for outdoor sports, as well as fields and pastures for the farm that provided food for the family year-round.

Between 1926-1955, Mabel Choate collaborated with landscape architect Fletcher Steele to reimagine the gardens for a new owner in a new era. Their partnership resulted in iconic features, including the Afternoon Garden and the famous Blue Steps.

The Trustees have stewarded Naumkeag as a public garden and historic house museum since 1959. Recent and ongoing restoration work ensures the iconic design can be appreciated for generations to come. The Choates’ favorite oak tree, now about 300 years old, still stands prominently.

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