Spring is here and many folks are busy working in their flower gardens. If you need a bit of inspiration for your garden maybe some photos from the early 1900’s can help.
One source of inspiration is Hanscom Park in Omaha. Hanscom Park was donated to Omaha in 1872 and is one of city’s oldest parks. The 58 acre park is still in existence today and is located in the area of 32nd and Woolworth Ave. 
If you have a large yard maybe you want to consider adding a fountain and some flower beds. If that’s not your style how about creating you’re own rose bower or “Lovers lane” as one person noted on a postcard.
In addition to the images of the park there are also images of some smaller gardens. The Nye residence in Fremont had a formal garden complete with a gazing ball. The Christensen home, also in Fremont, had two circular flower plantings in the yard. There was even a flower garden in front of South Hall on the Union College campus. If you would rather keep your garden simple you could always take inspiration from J. F. Rosenfield Peony Gardens and just plant twenty-five acres of peonies.
If you are not into gardening and the heat of summer you can always wait for the snow to fly turning Hanscom Park into a winter beauty.
Visit Nebraska Memories to search for or browse through many more historical images digitized from photographs, negatives, postcards, maps, lantern slides, books and other materials.
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. Nebraska Memories is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/nebraskamemories/ for more information, or contact Beth Goble, Government Information Services Director, or Devra Dragos, Technology & Access Services Director.
