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Longue Vue Garden in New Orleans – US Rail Journeys Series 3 Episode 18
In Longue Vue Garden in New Orleans I visit the amazing garden created by Edith and Edgar Stern.
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Getting to Longue Vue:
I take an Uber from my hotel, the French Market Inn, in the French Quarter of New Orleans. The driver has to follow his SatNav to get to the famed Longue Vue Garden in Bamboo Road in the Lakewood neighbourhood of the city.
We get there without too much trouble and I go to the gatehouse with the details of my booking.
History:
In 1921 the newlyweds Edith and Edgar Stern buy the property. Edith is a Sears Roebuck heiress and Edgar comes from a wealthy New Orleans family. In 1935 they attend a dinner party where they meet the self taught landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman.
Ellen Shipman works with the Sterns from 1935 until her death in 1950. Her designs are still evident in the garden that we see today. She uses two techniques – a series of ‘axial’ views which guide the visitor’s sightlines and also ‘garden rooms’ such as the ‘Pan Garden’ and the ‘Walled Garden’.
My visit:
It is a hot and sticky day in late June when I visit. I think I’m too late for many of the flowers but it is still an amazing experience and I can see why the Sterns loved it here. My visit ends with a thunderstorm bringing much needed rain.
Some of the staff are in 1920s dress because it is the 101st anniversary of the Stern’s wedding and there is a big celebration that evening.
Listen to the podcast to hear my thoughts as I walk round the garden.
Next up:
If you enjoy these podcasts please join me in a couple of weeks when I explore the city of Los Angeles.
Links:
To visit the Amtrak website please follow this link.
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Music:
AKM Music licenses Steam Railway, Jazz Street and Horticulture for use in this podcast.
Sound effects are courtesy of Pixabay.
