Greenwich -- Contentment

Object Details

General: This 4.6 acre property, formerly known as the Peacock Garden, was once the home of naturalist and author Ernest Thompson Seton, his wife Grace Gallatin Seton, and their family. Originally developed around 1915 as a summer cottage site, it was later converted to a year-round residence. On an upper level, close to the house, is a walled garden with a sunken pool, brick paths and patio, and perennial borders on three sides. A screened, pagoda-roofed "tea house" occupies one corner. Several steps lead down to a formal rose garden bordered by a boxwood hedge grown from cuttings. A gate and further steps down lead to an allée of pines through which the pond is visible. To the right is a small vegetable garden and beyond that a large perennial border at the base of the "tea house." Open lawns lead to stone benches by the pond, which contains four islands. The present owner has planted dogwoods by the pond and many ornamentals including azaleas, weeping dogwood, yellow magnolia, and wisteria. A wildflower garden occupies the wooded hill behind the house.; Persons associated with the garden include: Ernest Thompson Seton (former owner); and Grace Gallatin Seton (former owner).

Place: Contentment (Greenwich, Connecticut); United States of America -- Connecticut -- Fairfield County -- Greenwich

See more items in: The Garden Club of America collection; The Garden Club of America collection / Series 1: United States Garden Images / Connecticut

Sponsor: A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.

Custodial History: Green Fingers Garden Club facilitated the submission of this garden's documentation.

Collection Citation: Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.

Collection Rights: Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Collection Restrictions: Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Related Materials: Contentment related holdings consist of 2 folders (10 35 mm. slides)