Vintage Garden Scene, Hollins, VA, 20th Century Photo

This vintage photograph, captured by Frances Benjamin Johnston, showcases a serene garden scene in Hollins, Roanoke County, Virginia. The image features meticulously arranged lily ponds, highlighting the beauty of landscape design typical of the early 20th century. Johnstons work is part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South, an initiative that documented the architectural and garden styles of the region.

Johnston, an influential photographer known for her documentation of American architecture and gardens, emphasizes the intricate relationship between nature and design in this composition. The lily ponds serve as a focal point, illustrating the harmony between the cultivated garden and its natural surroundings.

Acquired from the Frances Benjamin Johnston estate in 1953, this image is a valuable piece of history that reflects the aesthetic values of its time. The photograph is preserved in the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress, ensuring its significance in the study of American landscape architecture.