Tree Dedicated in Honor of Frederick Law Olmsted

Congressman French Hill, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell and other distinguished guests gathered on the U.S. Capitol Grounds today to dedicate a tree in honor of Frederick Law Olmsted Sr., landscape architect known for designing the grounds of the U.S. Capitol (1874), New York City's Central Park and the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina.

Several trees on the grounds serve as living memorials. This Olmsted tree, a Kentucky coffeetree, is located in Capitol Square on Northwest Drive near the Summerhouse.

"We have Olmsted to thank for planting the original trees on Capitol Grounds, several dozen of which are still here today. Much like his legacy, the Kentucky coffeetree is enduring," said Jim Kaufmann, Director of Capitol Grounds and Arboretum. "With a lifespan of over a hundred years, the Kentucky coffeetree reflects the longevity of Olmsted's designs."

The Architect of the Capitol cares for the historic and picturesque grounds surrounding the U.S. Capitol Building, and continues to follow Olmsted's plan for creating an urban oasis in the nation's capital.