Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site
Designation: National Historic Site
Location: Massachusetts
📘 Park Overview
Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903) is recognized as the founder of American landscape architecture and the nation's foremost parkmaker. Olmsted moved his home to suburban Boston in 1883 and established the world's first full-scale professional office for the practice of landscape design. During the next century, his sons and successors perpetuated Olmsted's design ideals, philosophy, and influence.
🌤 Weather Information
Summer: Warm temperatures, average high temperature around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, often with humidity. July and August bring the hottest temperatures. Fall: Cooler temperatures, mean temperatures between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, sometimes rainy. Peak fall foliage is in mid-October. Winter: Cold, with snow, average low temperature around 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring: Cold to cool temperatures, average mean temperatures between 40 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
🚗 Directions
Site is located on the southwest corner of Warren and Dudley Streets in Brookline, south of Route 9, near the Brookline Reservoir. Site is 0.7 miles from the Brookline Hills MBTA stop on the Green Line, D Branch.
Images
Fairsted, the home and office of landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
Credit: NPS Photo
A box of colored pencils and a draftsmen's handbook sit on a table in the drafting room. These materials reflect the period during which Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. was the senior partner in the Brookline, MA landscape architecture firm.
Credit: NPS Photo
Landscape Architect Frederick Law Olmsted designed the Hollow on his Brookline, MA property to be a peaceful, picturesque sunken garden.
Credit: NPS Photo
Fairsted's Plant Room was the Olmsted family's favorite room in the house. With the rock walls and large windows to view the South Lawn, it was the perfect mix of interior and exterior.
Credit: NPS Photo
Fairsted's South Lawn served as an apple orchard for the previous owners, but the Olmsted's turned it into a sprawling open lawn where they hosted gatherings.
Credit: NPS Photo
The Vault at Fairsted houses over one million pieces of paper, dating from Frederick Law Olmsted Sr.'s time to 1979, when the firm closed.
Credit: NPS Photo
The Drafting Department housed the most office employees, with drafting being a crucial stage in a landscape design project.
Credit: NPS Photo
In nearly one hundred years of active practice, the Olmsted office would produce sixty thousand images, all stored in wooden boxes along the walls
Credit: NPS Photo
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Monday, Sep 14
Sunny
High: 70.5°F | Low: 59.5°F
Humidity: 67%
Wind: 14.5 mph
Rain Chance: 20%
UV Index: 5.6
Sunrise: 06:23 AM
Sunset: 06:56 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (14%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 59.5°F
Cloud Cover: 20%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Tuesday, Sep 15
Sunny
High: 64.1°F | Low: 55.4°F
Humidity: 63%
Wind: 8.9 mph
Rain Chance: 5%
UV Index: 6.1
Sunrise: 06:24 AM
Sunset: 06:54 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (23%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 51.8°F
Cloud Cover: 5%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Wednesday, Sep 16
Overcast
High: 77°F | Low: 54.1°F
Humidity: 71%
Wind: 9.2 mph
Rain Chance: 12%
UV Index: 5.5
Sunrise: 06:25 AM
Sunset: 06:53 PM
Moon: First Quarter (32%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 59°F
Cloud Cover: 12%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Park Alerts
Park Events
Art in the Park
Enjoy a summer day filled with music and art on the South Lawn! The day will include performances by Vanessa Trien and The Jumping Monkeys and Juventas New Music Ensemble. Family-friendly art activites will be available throughout the day. This free event is made possible in partnership with the Friends of Fairsted.
Date: Jul 12, 2026 12:00am to Jul 12, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
99 Warren Street
Brookline, MA 02445
🏤 Mailing Address:
99 Warren Street
Brookline, MA 02445
📞 Voice Phone: 6175661689
✉️ Email: frla_interpretation@nps.gov