A folly is a piece of architecture in a garden that is built primarily as decoration, often with no actual purpose. In the 18th century, English gardens often featured Roman temples, which symbolized classical virtues or ideals. Other styles often utilized are Chinese temples, ruined abbeys, rustic villages, and mills. Many gardeners choose to represent a particular country with an iconic piece of architecture, or a piece with a significant symbolic value.
In our Italian Garden, we have a brick wall and folly at the edge of the property. It holds a small room, about the size of a small closet, with a wrought iron gate in the doorway. Ours is a folly with no true purpose, but it does add to the charming atmosphere, and effectively separated Mrs. Ninah Cummer’s garden from her sister-in-law Mrs. Clara Cummer’s garden.
Check back to learn more about our gardens every Thursday!