'Planting Fields' celebrates Oyster Bay estate's rich history

Oyster Bay’s not-so-hidden gem, Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park, is finally getting its flowers. “Planting Fields: A Place on Long Island” (Phaidon/Monacelli Press, $59.95) is the first book to present an extensive dive into the history of the estate. It includes a series of essays by leading historians and preservationists, with each one offering a distinctive perspective on various aspects of Planting Fields’ history.

Topics include the origins behind the land that is now Planting Fields, the landscape design of the estate, and the influence of those who owned, designed, and took care of the property.

Planting Fields will host two events to celebrate the book’s launch. “An Evening With Witold Rybczynski on May 15 will feature a lecture and Q&A with the architect and historian who wrote the book's intro and an essay, as well as a book signing, a pop-up shop and a tour of the first floor of the Main House. A book release celebration follows May 16 and will include a cocktail hour reception, brief remarks and a signing.

Newsday recently spoke with Planting Fields President and CEO Gina J. Wouters, who is one of the book's editors, and Rybczynski about the project.

What new information did you learn about Planting Fields while working on this book?

Wouters: Up until this project, no research of Planting Fields of this caliber had been pursued in such a direct and comprehensive manner by experts that were able to contextualize the site in a broad context. Each essay is the result of new and original research. One of the very interesting facts that Witold uncovered during his research was that Planting Fields originally had a view to the waters of Oyster Bay. Over time and as the trees grew taller, that view disappeared, but to know that a water view was part of the original experience wholly shifts the way we should understand the original intent of the site.

What are some things Planting Fields patrons will enjoy about this book?

Wouters: Each essay offers a distinct vantage point into the history, landscape design, social context, foreign influences and future of the site. The book also includes over 200 stunning new images by photographer David Almeida, taken over the course of several years throughout the seasons, as well as never-before-published historical images and archives.

What story does this book tell that has not been told before?

Wouters: Each essay achieves this. Jennifer Anderson’s essay does a superb job mapping out the evolution of the area where Planting Fields is located, beginning with the Indigenous people, the Matinecock, through the Colonial era, the agricultural land uses of the 19th century, all through the early twentieth century when the area began to take shape as the fabled Gold Coast. Witold Rybczynski’s essay was the result of over two years of research during which he uncovered endless details about the making of Planting Fields as an estate and the colorful characters behind its creation. No one had ever attempted this type of research, and Witold has a singular way of positioning the site within a broader national setting.

How did you go about conducting research for this book?

Rybczynski: The Planting Fields Foundation archive was an important source, and with the help of archivist Marie Penny, I was able to uncover all sorts of interesting information. Coe, being a businessman, saved everything: personal and business correspondence, bills and invoices, as well as photographs and plans. For example, the estate account book shows that there were more than 60 full-time workers, gardeners, groundskeepers, nurserymen, farmworkers and grooms, as well as teamsters, chauffeurs, truckers, and assorted handymen; in addition, a census form lists twenty domestic servants. One of the fascinating finds was a 10-minute home movie, probably filmed by Coe’s son, Robert, which gives a better idea than still photographs of the richness of the grounds.