In the early 20th century, Gaiety Hollow was both the home garden and location of the office of Elizabeth Lord and Edith Schryver, the first all-female landscape architecture firm in the Pacific Northwest. The garden retains the character and integrity of its history to this day. It embodies many of the design principles employed by the firm and carried out throughout the region, providing an intimate look at the minds of its creators, a laboratory of their techniques. It is a highly accessible garden, less than half an acre in size, and a wonderful example of what a homeowner can accomplish even on a small property. In 2015, Gaiety Hollow was purchased by the Lord & Schryver Conservancy.

For more information, visit lordandschryverconservancy.org/

Timeline

2021

The Lord & Schryver Conservancy receives a Garden Conservancy grant.

2018

Lord & Schryver Conservancy hires Pam Wasson as its first executive director.

2017

Work begins to restore gardens to their period of significance (1932-1969).

2016

Lord & Schryver Conservancy hires its first employee, a Curator/Garden Manager.

2015

L&S Conservancy closes on the purchase of the property.

2013

Gala party organized by the L&S Conservancy kicks off capital campaign.

2012

Property owner grants L&S Conservancy a lease option agreement under which the L&S Conservancy has five years to raise funds to purchase the property.

2010

Cultural Landscape Report published by MIG, Inc. researches history of the site and assesses current conditions at Gaiety Hollow.

2007

L&S Conservancy obtains the Right of First Refusal on the property with the ultimate goal of bringing it into the public domain.

2005

Lord & Schryver [L&S] Conservancy formed.

2003

The Garden Conservancy begins providing preservation assistance to Gaiety Hollow.

1984

Edith Schryver dies and the property is purchased by the Strand family.

1976

Elizabeth Lord dies; Edith Schryver remains in the house they had shared for forty years.

1956

Last iteration of Lord and Schryver's planting schemes.

1938-39

Bulb planting plan for garden extends garden into the west extension, adding a pergola, brick paving, and boxwood hedges, shrubs, and perennials as well as flowering bulbs in expanded planting beds.

1932

Lord and Schryver purchase Gaiety Hollow property on Mission Street in Salem and begin designing and building their home, office, and garden on the site.

1929

In Salem, Oregon, Elizabeth Lord and Edith Schryver form what is believed to be the first woman-owned landscape architecture practice on the West Coast.

The gardens are open to the public on scheduled days throughout the season.