National Association for Olmsted Parks

Research and education - naop is dedicated to providing a permanent scholarly record of the work of frederick law Olmsted and the Olmsted firm to promote education and support local and National preservation and rehabilitation efforts. This means: identifying and analyzing primary sources and historical documents of the Olmsted firm; preparing digital and printed publications that provide analysis and commentary of these documents; expanding public availability of these documents through printed and digital resources. In 2020, naop oversaw publication of the last of the 12-volume set of the papers of frederick law Olmsted. Naop is currently working with the university of Virginia press, rotunda imprint, to digitize the first 10 volumes for release in 2022. Over the last year, naop hired a content manager for our Olmsted online digital portal, and expanded the content available to the general public. Naop sponsored a webinar series on how to use this resource as well as archives at the frederick law Olmsted National historic site and library of congress. Naop continues to support the digitization of the Olmsted records housed at the frederick law Olmsted National historic site.

Advocacy and support - a critical focus of naop is advocating for appropriate protection and preservation of Olmsted Parks and landscapes as well as Parks funding and stewardship. Naop assists local groups and organizations to develop strategies for addressing threats to olmsted-designed landscapes in their communities. Naop's advocacy program includes public statements concerning plans for development and rehabilitation of Olmsted Parks and parkways as well as input on proposed environmental/preservation policy changes at the National level and support of historic register recognition of Olmsted Parks and places.

Outreach and engagement - naop supports and undertakes activities to broaden public access to the physical manifestations of the olmsteds' work as well as understanding of the life and legacy of frederick law Olmsted and the Olmsted firm. Over the last year, naop has sponsored virtual and in-person meetings, lectures and symposia, and developed resources targeted to scholars, children, community organizations, professional organizations, park advocacy groups and land and park conservancies. Naop has issued communications to thousands of friends through twice monthly online newsletters, social media, and a semi-annual online magazine, called field notes. Naop is serving as the managing partner of Olmsted 200, the National bicentennial celebration of Olmsted's birth in 1822. In this capacity, it is working with 9 other National partners to build public education and events locally and nationally about Olmsted and the Olmsted firm. This year, we launched a National website, National calendar, National conferences, toolkits, legislative outreach and major media engagement. Naop has more than tripled the number of Parks and landscapes included in its Olmsted network which meets monthly to discuss challenges to Olmsted Parks and to share best practices in the maintenance and stewardship of these historic landscapes.