The Lynden Sculpture Garden offers a unique experience of art in nature through its collection of more than 50 monumental sculptures sited across 40 acres of park, lake and woodland. They retained the Chicago landscape architects William Langford and Theodore Moreau to transform the flat farmland, with its small farmhouse and barn, into an English country garden. The lake and rustic bridge spanning the water were designed to match Harry Bradley’s memories of the municipal grounds in Kansas City where he swam as a boy. In 1962, Peg Bradley—already an experienced art collector—began collecting the contemporary monumental sculptures that secured Lynden’s international reputation. She collected actively until her death in 1978, often inviting artists to Lynden to site their works. The collection includes sculptures by Alexander Archipenko, Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Clement Meadmore, Marta Pan, Tony Smith, Mark di Suvero and many others. The Lynden Sculpture Garden is committed to promoting the enjoyment, understanding, and appreciation of art, sculpture and the environment through the exhibition of art and sculpture, educational experiences and connections with the community. Educational programming will focus on the intersection of art and nature, providing hands-on experiences that integrate Lynden’s collection of monumental outdoor sculpture with the natural ecology of the site. In preparation for opening to the public, the house and a portion of the grounds have been transformed using sustainable building and landscaping practices.
