The Joslyns planned to create an unprecedented landmark estate on the Sutphen Farm property that they purchased on the western outskirts of Omaha in 1893. They called their home Lynhurst, but from day one, everyone else called it the Castle.
A plan was developed by architect John McDonald that included the massive residence, a carriage house with servants’ quarters, a gardener’s office, and a gatehouse residence. Before the mansion was built, a large greenhouse, a palm house, a lily pond for aquatic flowers, and flowerbeds and gardens were planned and built. The estate was enclosed with a limestone wall topped with an ornamental wrought iron fence well before the mansion’s construction was underway.
Prominent Chicago-based landscape architect Jens Jensen designed the rock work and pools for the conservatory inside the house. The estate’s landscaping was arranged in an informal, yet lavish, style. Not wanting to wait years to enjoy the grounds, the Joslyns had more than 100 mature trees planted. They built a greenhouse to provide a constantly changing display of flowers for the giant flowerbeds on the 5.57-acre estate. By 1899, the grounds were developed and the greenhouse completed. Sarah and George developed a nationally respected collection of orchids in the greenhouse.
On Easter Sunday morning, March 23, 1913, Mrs. Joslyn took her friends to the green house to view her orchid collection. That afternoon, one of the city’s worst tornadoes destroyed the greenhouse, much of the Castle grounds, and a wide swath of Omaha. While the orchids survived the tornado itself, a hard freeze followed on the heels of the tornado, destroying the collection.
George donated the remnants of the greenhouse to the City of Omaha where they were rebuilt in Hanscom Park until the 1970s.
The estate grounds were the first to be designated a landmark affiliate site when the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum was established in 1996.
The Gardens Today
Open daily for public use, the garden’s historical origins are still visible today. Visitors can follow the curved paths to enjoy beautiful floral displays which change with the seasons. Families and friends can picnic under the many majestic old trees or play on the magnificent wide lawns that sweep down to a beautiful bridge that once divided the two pools.
Joslyn Castle & Gardens and its dedicated volunteers have been working to restore every detail of the lavish estate for many years. It invites membership and support from those who want to support a piece of living history in the heart of Omaha.
Today, we proudly serve as the neighborhood’s “backyard.” Unless we have a previously scheduled program or event, we invite individuals and small gatherings to enjoy the open spaces, well-lit pathways, picnic tables, and stunning variety of trees and flowers! Please contact our Rental Coordinator Elena Tomasello to coordinate any gathering larger than 10 individuals, or if you are looking to host a ticketed event.
