Gardens from the first decades of the 20th century are often described as seen from a sublime ownership perspective. It may be artists, authors or some other intellectuals, they are all attributed as creators of the referred estate. As far as practically oriented gardeners, constructors or garden consultants are mentioned, they are consequently seen as the mere instruments for carrying out the intentions of the actual owners. Referring to those circumstances it is however well worth notifying that all properties, and in particular the gardens belonging to it, are submitted to a constant change. For anyone acquainted with garden work, it is quite obvious that the gardens vitality is closely related to the ongoing design process, by which form and content are created and re-created. The result is thus dependent on the input of human labour and the process of a never-ending decision-making among the people involved. It is thus the knowledge of the individuals and their capability to perform different pieces of work, which will reflect the result. In spite of this obvious and substantially manifest influence from the actors, they are very seldom mentioned, sometimes not at all. That kind of knowledge, which is based on experience and the work of hand and body often seems to be taken for granted. Hereby the development of garden estates is no exception.
This thesis is concentrated on the history of Muramaris between 1915-24. The work and its conclusions are mainly based on the letters for correspondence with Johnny Roosval and where some central actors in the practical work have been identified as senders. Accounts, calendars, sketch-books, photographs and newspaper cuts are among the other sources, which have been used. The main emphasis has been put on the process of developing the garden in relation to the dwelling-house and its construction. With reference to all the used sources, my aim has been to tell a personal story, which allows all the main actors to be in focus. As I also had the intention to let the actors contribute with their own voices I have deliberately been working with quotations. The quotations aim to represent the social atmosphere of the actual time and to give glimpses of how things were practically worked out within design, construction and cultivation.
The thesis shows that the knowledge and the experience of all these different actors were highly important for getting the rightful expression and character according to the wishes of the married couple Roosval. Of specific importance for the gardener was that he had to supervise the garden duties by moving the garden development forward, at the same time preserving as developing. My intention has consequently been to t...
