American Society of Landscape Architects founded

Background. The American Society of Landscape Architects is a professional association for landscape architects in the United States. Its mission is to advance landscape architecture through advocacy, communication, education, and fellowship. The society was established on January 4, 1899, in New York City by a group of eleven founding members.

Founding Members. The society was founded by eleven individuals, including President John Charles Olmsted, Nathan Franklin Barrett, and Beatrix Farrand. Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. is described as a founding member and later president of the American Society of Landscape Architects, though the ASLA source's list of eleven founding members does not name him among them, an apparent tension between the two sources. These founders established the organization to support the profession through various initiatives.

Mission and Activities. The ASLA's mission focuses on advancing landscape architecture through advocacy, communication, education, and fellowship. The organization bestows various awards annually to professionals and students for designs and projects. The lifetime achievement award is known as the American Society of Landscape Architects Medal.