Reimagining the Lower Estate Gardens, Phase 2
Open gallery
Focus Areas: Lower Estate Gardens
Construction Start Date: TBD
Anticipated Completion: November 2025
Lewis & Clark College has embarked on a project to reimagine the Lower Estate Gardens, located east of the historic Manor House. This initiative, grounded in community input and historical research, aims to honor the site’s heritage while prioritizing sustainability, accessibility, and modern use.
A Legacy Reimagined
The Lower Estate Gardens hold a storied place in the college’s history, with the Manor House and grounds listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The project area spans one acre, formerly the site of the outdoor pool. The design process began with community engagement and historical review, reflecting the vision of the estate’s original designer, Herman Brookman, who prioritized harmony between natural surroundings and structural design.
Recent Site Improvements
Under Phase I of this project, the college addressed critical site preservation needs, including:
- Reinforcing and restacking the garden’s historic retaining walls.
- Re-roofing the bathhouse* with materials matching the original design.
- Removing nonfunctional arbor columns and infilling the long dormant pool.
- Cleaning and restoring existing stonework.
*The Bathhouse is not part of the phase II construction project, but it is an instrumental part of phase II’s design.
These efforts ensured the preservation of the area’s structural integrity and prepared the site for its next chapter.
Community-Inspired Design Themes
The design process invited the campus community to propose ideas, resulting in two primary themes:
- Garden Space: Envisioning an indigenous, pollinator, or edible garden.
- Community Gathering Space: Imagining areas for interaction, performance, or recreation.
Three conceptual designs emerged from these themes, submitted by faculty, staff, and students:
- Gather, Play, Reflect, Grow: Proposed by Arts@LC and the Native Scholar/Artist Residence Program
- Native Art and a Fresh Start: Proposed by the Alumni and Parent Engagement Office
- SEED Club Concept Design: Proposed by the CAS SEED club
Balancing Heritage and Modernity
The design approach honors the historic estate’s original axes:
- East-West Orientation: Aligning views from the Manor House to Mt. Hood.
- North-South Balance: Balancing garden elements across the terrace.
This framework guided the creation of four distinct zones:
A. North Garden
A grid of Akebono Cherry trees will provide seasonal beauty and shaded spaces for reading, picnics, or small gatherings.
B. Central Gathering Space
The versatile central plaza will support both informal use and large events.
C. South Garden
Adjacent to mature Douglas Firs and Western Red Cedars, this shaded patio includes outdoor furniture, and a cascading water feature that promotes wildlife.
D. Terrace
Amphitheater-style seating will accommodate outdoor classes, performances, and ceremonies. Additional terraced seating will integrate the sloped terrain with accessible options.
Accessibility and Sustainability
Improved access is central to the project, with drivable surfaces connecting the site to the southern access road for event setup and service needs. The project also embraces sustainability, using native plants, water features, and eco-friendly materials to reduce environmental impact.
Looking Ahead
The reimagined Lower Estate Gardens reflect Lewis & Clark College’s commitment to preserving its historic legacy while meeting contemporary community needs. Through thoughtful design and collaboration, this project promises to create a vibrant, multi-functional space that inspires connection, reflection, and growth for generations to come.
Feedback on the project can be directed to estategarden@lclark.edu no later than December 20th.
Land Acknowledgement
Lewis & Clark College purposefully reflects on the history of the land it occupies. Prior to the newcomers arriving in this area, the indigenous land of what would later be called Multnomah County was home to many tribal people. We honor the indigenous people on whose traditional and ancestral homelands we stand: the Multnomah, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Tumwater, and Watalala bands of the Chinook; the Tualatin Kalapuya; and many other indigenous nations of the Columbia River.
It is important to acknowledge the ancestors of this place and recognize that we are here because of the sacrifices forced upon them. In remembering these communities, we honor their legacy, their lives, and their descendants.
This Land Acknowledgement was developed in consultation with Indigenous individuals from the Indigenous Nations Study Program at Portland State University and adopted in 2018 with their permission.