Departing from Beatrix Farrand’s original layout for the Ellipse, Ruth Havey designed a set of eight backless benches along the periphery of the room between 1966 and 1969. Set between the hornbeam plantings, under the developing aerial hedge, the seats offer a moment for rest and multiple angles from which to view the room. The Ellipse is constructed around a central focal point—the fountain—with a concentric ring of hornbeams. These benches take on a similar function to seats in gallery, giving the visitor an opportunity to contemplate the space from different positions, looking inward. The benches are being reconstructed as part of the furniture restoration project.
Image: Ruth Havey, Plan for Ellipse, southeast quarter, July 1966. Garden Archives, K-2-21
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