Dunn Gardens was designed by the renowned Olmsted Brothers firm in 1915 and successfully nominated to the National and State Register of Historic Places in 1994. The preservation of Dunn Gardens’ historic landscape for the enjoyment and education of the public is central to the organization’s mission. The 7-acre Gardens sit in the heart of an ever sprawling Seattle with a peek-a-boo view of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. Dunn Gardens is one of the few landscapes in Washington where the public can experience the manifestation of Olmsted’s design philosophy within the context of a garden designed as a private estate.

A grand mixed canopy of mature hardwoods and towering Douglas Firs shadow intricate layers of shrubs and understory trees, magical old rhododendron, and suggestions of a native Pacific Northwest forest. Legacy is rooted with being an Olmsted garden, but it has been tended and gardened for over 100 years, and as a result different influences have made it what is today. The presence of stately trees is such that garden visitors to this day are deeply impacted by their magnificent presence, often unconsciously, as they stroll through this unique urban landscape.

Dunn Gardens has been open for public visitation since 1993. In 2019, Dunn Gardens hosted over 3,500 individuals through guided tours, open days, classes, lectures, and events. It is through these educational programs that we introduce new audiences to the value of historic garden preservation, the nuances and challenges that preserving a living landscape presents, and the role of the Olmsted Brothers firm in designing private and public green spaces in the Seattle area.

The garden is open and accessible to the public each week, from Monday – Saturday. Explore additional tour opportunities online.