The Grand Allée, or Mall, was designed by landscape architect Arthur Shurcliff and completed in 1914-15. Inspired by the Cypress Allee at Boboli Gardens in Florence, Italy, the design was truly a grand undertaking, involving significant regrading and heavy planting to transform farm fields into this magnificent forced vista.
This tour begins on the roof of the Great House to view the restoration and replanting of this unique landscape feature during the past three years. The walk will traverse the entire ½ mile length of the Allee, and include a stop in the Casino buildings, created by architects Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge as guest quarters and a ballroom flanking an inground saltwater pool. Learn about sustainable landscape practices utilized during The Trustees' restoration, and how the original Crane-era rain water harvesting system has been incorporated into the project.