The former “Mrs. Holden McGinley Garden” designed by Ellen Biddle Shipman

Coinciding with publication of Judith Tankard's new book, Ellen Shipman and the American Garden, a highlight of this year's Open Day is the Former "Mrs. Holden McGinley Garden." An intact garden designed for Mrs. Holden McGinley by Ellen Biddle Shipman in 1925, at the peak of her illustrious career as one of America’s premier landscape architects, it is a stunning example of Shipman’s garden design philosophy of closely integrating house and garden. Its key axis lures the visitor out from the house across the lawn into the walled garden. There, another axis transitions through a series of three long, narrow descending garden rooms, each with its own distinctive character. Most of the original detail is intact, including an original bluestone rill, which traverses the uppermost panel. This garden shows how Shipman often skillfully combined formal and wild gardens in a compressed suburban setting. Shipman, known for her walled gardens stated that "planting, however beautiful, is not a garden. A garden must be enclosed...or otherwise it would merely be a cultivated area." Following this prototypical layout here, the garden is enclosed and surrounded by high white-washed brick walls that match the mansion. Recently acquired by Ellen Shapiro and her husband, Michael Bloomberg, this important garden now receives the protection and care it so richly deserves. Open Day visitors are fortunate to have this rare opportunity to glimpse an intact masterwork by the “Dean of American Women Landscape Architects.”

Directions: From Rt. I-93: Take exit 2B in Canton for Route 138 North. Travel 3.2 miles, continuing on Route 138/Blue Hill Avenue (bearing left when Canton Avenue forks to the right). #582 is on the right.

From the Wakefield Estate, turn right onto Brush Hill Road, then turn left onto Route 138/Blue Hill Avenue. Travel approximately 2 miles north to #582 on the right.

Open Days 2018: June 9
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission to this private garden is $7 for members and nonmembers without tickets purchased in advance.

Buy discounted admission tickets in advance! They can be used at most Open Days to make garden visiting easier.
Nonmembers get 6 visits for the price of 5 with advanced ticket book purchase.  
Members get 50% off ONLY by purchasing ticket books in advance.

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