Some of the most significant and attractive gardens in all of Northeast Florida may be found at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens in Jacksonville. The Gardens, which are situated in a picturesque area along the banks of the St. Johns River, have a rich history dating back over a century and featuring the work of illustrious landscape architects and garden designers such as Ossian Cole Simonds, Ellen Biddle Shipman, Thomas Meehan and Sons, and the legendary Olmsted firm.
By enlisting the help of such well-known companies, the Cummer Gardens have gained national prominence. The mature live oak trees provide a natural canopy over the gardens, which are filled with rare horticultural varieties that bloom throughout the year. Reflecting pools, fountains, arbors, antique ornaments, and sculptures help create an extraordinary outdoor area that complements the Museum’s Permanent Collection well.
When it comes to Northeast Florida’s art museums, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens stands head and shoulders above the rest. In 1958, civic activist, art collector, and garden enthusiast Ninah Cummer left her art collection and riverfront home to the city, establishing the museum now known as The Cummer. The original 60 pieces from Mrs. Cummer’s estate have since been joined by almost 5,000 more pieces. The historic gardens are a sight to behold, especially against the St. Johns River.
The Museum’s mission is to foster significant alliances and encourage robust participation from the local populace. Their goal is to be a community-representing, socially-conscious organization that brings together a wide range of audiences. Accessibility to the Museum’s collections, displays, events, and services is a top priority. Additionally, the Museum provides certain services for visitors with special needs.
The Cummer Museum is located in the unceded territory of the Timucua, an indigenous people who once spread across what is now southeast Georgia, north Florida, and central Florida. The last recorded Timucua, Juan Alonso Cabale, sailed for Cuba in 1767, and it is thought that all Timucua fled the area with the Spanish when Florida was given to England. We hope that those who visit the Cummer Museum’s Gardens will join us in remembering the land’s history, reflecting on the effects of colonialism, and treating the land with reverence and care.
During the early 20th century, one of the most influential families in Jacksonville relocated to Florida, and it was this family that would eventually build The Gardens. A long line of lumber tycoons in Michigan included brothers Arthur and Waldo Cummer. On the St. Johns River bank, they each constructed a home next to that of their parents, Ada and Wellington Cummer. While the brothers ran the family business, Cummer Lumber Company, their wives, Ninah and Clara Cummer, were the real landscape designers. In addition to being on the National Register of Historic Places, those gardens are now one of the Museum’s greatest assets.
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
Jacksonville Concrete and Construction