National Historic Landmark - Springside

Springside is the only surviving substantially unaltered example of landscape architecture designed by Andrew Jackson Downing (1815-1852), who is justly called the --father of American landscape architecture-- and America's foremost proponent of romantic rural design in mid-nineteenth century America.

Downing was the most potent -tastemaker-- of his day and exerted a profound influence on national taste through his executed work and by means of his immensely popular and internationally recognized publications on landscaping, architecture and horticulture.

Springside has an added significance as the country estate of Matthew Vassar, the benefactor of the famous college which bears his name.

He lived here from 1915 until his death in 1932.

Courtesy National Park Service National Historical Landmarks