April 26, 2022 marks Frederick Law Olmsted’s 200th Birthday. Olmsted, credited with inventing the profession of Landscape Architecture in the United States, was a consummate advocate for public space, accessible greenery and the democratization of beauty. In honor of his bicentennial, FRIENDS will be hosting two programs, an in-person walking tour in Central Park, and a virtual talk offering a look at Olmsted’s life and work in New York City and beyond.

The virtual talk, led by Historian Lucie Levine, will offer a look at many of Olmsted’s other beloved green spaces, both in New York and beyond. In addition to highlighting Prospect Park, Riverside Park, and Fort Greene Park, amongst others, this talk will delve into Olmsted’s life and lesser-known achievements, including his leadership of the US Sanitary Commission during the Civil War, his role as a journalist in the antebellum South, and his groundbreaking plan for the creation of Yosemite National Park.