Spotlight on Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park

Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park is a beautiful estate located on the famous Gold Coast of Long Island in Oyster Bay, New York. The park consists of lush gardens, greenhouses, plant collections, and the Coe Hall Historic House Museum. We are excited to share how Kenneth Lynch & Sons has contributed to this historic estate and we invite you to plan a visit to Planting Fields to tour this magnificent property.

A Brief History

In 1913, the property of the 409-acre farm called “Upper Planting Fields” was purchased by William Robertson Coe, an English immigrant and insurance, railroad and business executive, and Mai Rogers Coe, heiress and daughter of Standard Oil partner Henry Huttleston Rogers.

The Coes lived a lavish lifestyle and were heavily involved in the design of their new estate. The main house on the property, a 65-room Tudor Revival mansion, was designed by architects Walker & Gillette. Meanwhile, the landscape design was initiated by Boston architect Guy Lowell and his partner Andrew Sargent. When Andrew Sargent died in 1918, the Coes hired The Olmsted Brothers who worked closely with Walker & Gillette on the landscape design including key landscape features such as the greenhouses, Surprise Pool, Italian Garden, and the original entrance drive.

The Carshalton Gates

As part of the design of the 409-acre estate, in 1921 the Coes purchased and imported a set of wrought-iron gates to be installed on the property. The gates were originally designed and built in 1712 for Carshalton Park in Sussex, England. Coe asked the Olmsted Brothers to design the landscape surrounding the gates, with the intent of creating a grand entrance to the estate. Famously known as The Carshalton Gates today, the gates have been used as a setting for numerous films. Learn more

Historic postcard of the original Carshalton Gates in Sussex, England.

Both sides of the Carshalton Gates include tall columns that hold the sculptures of Diana, goddess of the hunt, and the hunter Actaeon. The figures depict the myth from Metamorphoses by the Roman poet, Ovid. While the original sculptures are attributed to John Nost, a Flemish sculptor who lived and worked in England, the current sculptures at Planting Fields were produced by our founder, Kenneth Lynch.

The historic Carshalton Gates in autumn at Planting Fields.

Statue Restoration

In 1963, it was determined that the original lead statues were in need of major repair. Kenneth Lynch was contacted and he proposed a “complete restoration of these figures to our very best standards using all bronze armatures inside for stability, casting new parts where needed, restoring the sculpture and modeling as required.”

The restored sculptures were completed by lead craftsman, Frank Wilcox, and Mr. Lynch and were installed at Planting Fields shortly after.

The fine craftsmanship of Mr. Kenneth Lynch has ensured that the statues still stand at The Carshalton Gates today after being restored over 60 years ago. We are proud to be a part of the history of this beautiful estate. And special thanks to the Planting Fields Foundation for sharing photos from their archives with us!

Pictured: Lead craftsman, Frank Wilcox (left) with Kenneth Lynch (right) with the newly restored Actaeon statue.

Broken pieces of the original Diana and Actaeon statues.

The historic Carshalton Gates and restored Actaeon statue at Planting Fields today.

Mr. Kenneth Lynch, Cecily Lynch, Michael Lynch, Frank Wilcox, and others with the newly restored Actaeon statue.

The installation of the new statues at Planting Fields in 1963.

Diana and Actaeon statues at Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park today.
Photos by David Almeida.

About Planting Fields:

Planting Fields features an incredible landscape with over 20 gardens, woodland trails, greenhouses, and the Coe Hall Historic House Museum. The park is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm (closed December 25). Planting Fields is one of only a few surviving estates on Long Island with its original land intact, as well as its buildings, including Coe Hall. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Today, Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park is owned and operated by The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in cooperation with the Planting Fields Foundation. Learn more at: plantingfields.org.

Also of interest: View more Famous Places Featuring Kenneth Lynch & Sons Products