Rebecca Q. and James C. Morgan Garden (Cornell University)

I visited the Rebecca Q. and James C. Morgan Garden at the Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University. This garden was built in 2011, and designed by well known garden designer Marc Peter Keane.

The garden design is spectacular, especially given the small footprint in which to work. The elements of wood, water, stone, and earth complement each other very well, and the plantings are just enough to set a contemplative scene without overwhelming the viewer. The moss plantings are of particular interest, and the alignment of the stones along a winding course, help to create the illusion moving water. The garden as a whole is simply a piece of art work and one of the finest small gardens I have laid my eyes upon.

Website: https://museum.cornell.edu/morgan-garden or http://www.mpkeane.com/tiger-glen-garden

Smith College Japanese Garden for Reflection and Contemplation

Stopped by Smith College to see what had become of the Japanese Garden. 

The garden had been built back in 1986 when both my wife and I were in the area as students (she at Smith, I at UMass Amherst). Ironically, neither of us had any interest in Chinese or Japanese gardens at that point in our lives, even though we were both about to head of to China for language study abroad. 

Website: https://www.smith.edu/garden/event/re-dedication-of-the-japanese-garden

The garden originally had a tea hut, that over the years was vandalized, and was being used for recreational drug use (a homeless man was also found dead in the structure in 2014). In 2015 the college decided to remove the structure. 

Below are pictures I found on the internet of the tea hut in better times:

And below, the tea hut in its later years:

My wife and I hadn't returned to the garden in many years, and in fact, we only visited it once in 2012 while our daughter was a student at Smith (before the hut was removed). Unfortunately, I did not photograph the hut during that visit, but I remember it being in a state of serious disrepair.

On this return trip in 2017, we decided to take a look, especially since I was now on a quest to see as many gardens as possible. Seeing the garden in a state of disrepair was sad. The tea hut was gone, and so was any sense that a garden had once been there.

It appeared that no one had been maintaining the garden. Additionally, the absence of the tea hut left the space seemingly abandoned.

However, in October, we were back on campus once again, and we were informed by a faculty member that the garden was being re-dedicated the following day. We were surprised, especially given the state of the garden back in August. So, we headed back down to take another look. Here is what we found:

Honestly, it was a disappointment. With the exception of some moss and grasses, it didn't look much better. Given Smith's reputation, its own Botanic Gardens, and its focus on being a multi-cultural and international educational institution, I think they could have done better. 

Mount Holyoke College (Wa-Shin-An Meditation Garden And Teahouse)

I have been trying to visit Wa Shin An, the Japanese teahouse/garden at Mount Holyoke College, for several years. Unfortunately, I was never able to squeeze in a visit during their open hours. The garden/teahouse is well hidden and located on the top floor of Eliot House.

The architecture and garden design are all authentically Japanese. Designed as a meditative space, the garden and teahouse serve this purpose well. Once inside, one forgets that they are in an college building and are taken away to a serene and tranquil place. The open-sky garden helps to create the experience of not being within a larger building structure. It is well worth seeing if you can fit the visit into their schedule of open hours.

Website: https://www.mtholyoke.edu/religiouslife/wa_shin_an

Ho Nan En

While visiting Boston, I discovered the Showa Institute and its Japanese garden, Ho Nan En.

The Showa Institute in Boston is a language and culture center that was established in 1988 as a satellite campus for English majors from Showa Women’s University in Tokyo, Japan. Its located in the Jamaica Plain area just outside of Boston, Massachusetts (formally the site of the Nazareth School established in 1953).

Website: https://www.showaboston.edu/

The campus is fairly large and includes dormitories and classrooms. In addition, there is small garden area just behind the main entrance hall.

I was also given a tour of a series of classrooms within that were converted to resemble an authentic Japanese teahouse interior.

 

It was a nice surprise to find this garden and its "teahouse." It was not easy to discover, but in the end, it was worth a visit.