Two plans for The Morton Arboretum, Sterling Morton Library Reading Garden

Identifier3.24603

TypeDrawing

Date created1962

DescriptionTwo sketched horseshoe-shaped plans for the Sterling Morton Library Reading Garden, including suggestions for planting, furniture, exposures, layout and features.

Center text between the two sketches: An impractical plan for an an outdoor reading room adjoining the new library - no scale - M.T. Watts fecit

Bottom right corner text below Plan #2: Any exposure - M.T. Watts suggestor demeritus

Plan #1 suggestions:

• Grass throughout
• Along south side of garden:
  • Library 
  • Eye of the librarian watching over entire garden
  • Seat in the sun and for a cold day on both sides of the glass doors
  • Circular platform with 2 steps going into garden so that there can be a lecture platform
  • Espaliered Pears for the walls on both sides of the glass doors
• Along east side of garden
  • Book tree - expendable, paper-bound books for free browsing
  • Some tall things to make long shadows in the afternoon
  • Table for small group
• Along west side of garden
  • White pine to say "Sh..." for the librarian
  • Sweetbrier rose to make smell of applesauce
  • Wall with perhaps some niches, and /or some good tiles
  • Seats connected by small tables but no togetherness
  • Book tree - expendable, paper-bound books for free browsing
• Along north side of garden
  • Thorny things
  • Wall fountain dribbling quietly
  • Mossy north wall with ferns at its base

Plan #2 suggestions:
Text at top of plan: I like this better (one can read in the rain)

• Wall lining entire garden
• Cloister - walk along wall lining entire garden - paved old brick? (detailed sketch of interior below garden sketch, including books for browsers and vine)
• Along south side of garden:
  • Wall fountain in the shape of a lion's head drooling contentedly
  • Doors to Library on both sides of the wall fountain
• Along east side of garden:
  • Ground covers
  • Vine
• Along west side of garden
  • Ground covers
  • Vine
  • 1 step up
• Along north side of garden
  • Steps on both sides to make raised platform for book talks
  • Beech tree because books are all named for it
  • Ferns under beech tree

Related EntitiesMay T. Watts Reading Garden (is related to)

LanguageEnglish