America and the Rockefeller Center
Departure and arrival in the United States
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After some early successes, most notably at the Daily Mail Ideal Home Exhibition, Ralph decided to set sail and try his luck in America. There is some anecdotal evidence, shared by family members, that it was Muriel who had suggested the move to Ralph. Talk within the family suggests that there was some concern for Ralph and his alcohol consumption and Muriel looked to the States with its prohibition as a solution.
So, on May 31st 1930, Ralph, Muriel and their baby daughter, Sheila (listed as Stella in the ships passenger list) set sail from Liverpool aboard the "SS Adriatic" bound for New York. Sons Bramley and Denys, who were at boarding school, did not make the journey, although over the next 6 years they, as well as Ralph, Muriel and Sheila were to travel back and forth across the Atlantic several times. Ralph and his family settled at 34 Oakwood Avenue Upper Montclair then later to 364 North Mountain Avenue, also in Montclair.
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English Gardens Inc., and Early Triumphs
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In order to promote his work in the US, Ralph had published an illustrated booklet titled English Gardens in America in which he described himself as being 'Landscape Gardener to HRH the Princess Victoria of England'.
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The booklet must have worked as his new company, English Gardens Inc., quickly became successful. He staged exhibits at the Massachusetts Horticulture Show where he won several awards, including the 1933 President's Cup and the prestigious Albert C Burrage Gold Vase, the latter for a Rock Garden at the 1933 Spring Exhibition, see below left.
This delightful image (right), of Jackie Kelly, of New York, was taken as he fished in a rock pool created by Ralph for the 12th Annual International Flower Show at Grand Central Palace, New York, on 20th March 1933.
The entire exhibit was over 300 square foot. Ralph won second prize (open class). One of many awards that Ralph collected during his time in the United States.Ralph was also one of the designers of the Lydia Duff Gray Hubbard garden in Upper Montclair, New Jersey, which now forms part of the Garden Club of America Collection. Ralph was also associated with the fledgling American Rock Garden Society.
Exhibition Garden, Lectures and Radio
In order to promote his company, Hancock built a small Exhibition Garden in a cul-de-sac just off of Oakwood Avenue, Upper Montclair. This was close-by to the home where Ralph, Muriel and Sheila settled when they first arrived in America. Sheila Hancock recalls that Ralph still owned the land right up until the mid 1940's.
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Ralph was a familiar face on the lecture circuit where he gave regular talks about his work, including a lecture on English Gardens to the Women's Club of Upper Montclair in February 1931. In April 1932, Ralph was reported in the New York Times as giving a talk on Rock Gardens to the Women's Club in Maplewood, New Jersey and in January 1935 Ralph gave a lecture on Good Horticulture at the Annual Meeting of the School of Nature League held at the prestigious American Museum of Natural History.
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Muriel too was also a familiar face on the social circuit and was regularly seen with Ralph at various social gatherings. In May 1931, she was one of the judges of the Annual Flower Show held by the Garden Department of the Maplewood Women's Club.
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Like many of his modern day contemporaries, Ralph saw the benefit of using the medium of the time. He regularly appeared on the many New York radio stations such as WEAF 660, where he spoke about his work and gave tips and advise on gardens and horticulture.
Gardens of the Nations, Rockefeller Center New York City
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But it was between 1933 and 1935 that Ralph was to embark on one of his most ambitious projects, the construction of spectacular gardens at the Rockefeller Center in New York.
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Hancock’s “Gardens of the Nations” emulated the cultural styles of gardens from Holland, France, Spain, Italy and Japan. 3,000 tons of earth, 500 tons of bricks, 20,000 bulbs, 100 tons of natural stone, 2,000 trees and shrubs were delivered by the service elevator or man hauled using a block and tackle up the side of the eleven floors of the building.
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Hancock also designed an English Garden, complete with turf directly imported from England. Low Cotswold stone walls, Tudor arches and espaliered fruit trees featured within this slice of the old country. It was also within the English Garden that Ralph had his own private garden, complete with an antique sundial.
As this picture above right shows, the sundial can still be found in what is left of Ralph's private garden. Photographed in April 2007 by Hancock's granddaughter, the sundial is now damaged but the reader can still make out most of the stone mason's handiwork.
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On the opposite side of the roof to the English Garden Ralph installed an International Rock Garden. Stone from the English Lake District and Alpine planting were complimented by a waterfall and a running brook. This spectacle required 96,000 gallons of water which was lifted by an electric pump to the eleventh floor.
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Hancock was confident that what he had created would allow numerous opportunities for other similar gardens in the US. He declared that “the day of penthouse gardening are over and miles and miles of roof space in every metropolis in this country remain to be reclaimed by landscape gardening”. Throughout the project Ralph was in regular correspondence with both John D Rockefeller and Nelson A Rockefeller. Letters between the Rockefeller's and Hancock give an insight into their interest in what Ralph was creating.
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The 11th floor Gardens of the Nations were opened on 15th April 1935 by New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia. The event was attended by 400 guests, including the ambassadors of the countries represented by the gardens which Ralph had created. Those also in attendance included prominent horticulturists and the guest of honour, Nelson A Rockefeller.
The gardens were officially opened to the public the following day, 16th April, with a fete for over 2000 friends, alumnae and students of Bryn Mawr College. The New York Times of 17th April 1935 reported; "Bryn Mawr girls wearing the costumes of various nations were to have dispersed themselves among their national flowers, but a blustery wind drove them inside. Nevertheless, $10,000 was raised towards the college's $1 million appeal fund". The image left is of Miss Nancy Nicholl, a Bryan Mawr alumnus seen in costume within the Japanese Garden.
In their first 7 months the gardens attracted over 87,000 visitors, each paying $1 to view the spectacle. They closed at the end of 1935 and over the winter they were replanted with 50,000 bulbs. The following year the entrance fee was reduced to 40 cents.
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Despite the popularity of the attraction the “Sky Garden Tour” ceased to make money and closed its operation in 1938. The gardens themselves remained a favourite venue for various garden and flower shows.
The New York Times of the period carried advertisements for the Gardens of the Nations. As well as the more familiar internationally themed gardens Ralph had also designed and installed a bird sanctuary, a rock and vegetable garden and a 'modern' garden. A guide, containing photos of all of Ralph's gardens, was available to all those who visited. Also on the 11th floor, Ralph operated the Horticulture Halls, pictured right, where members of the public could buy anything from bulbs to garden furniture. Gardening clubs regularly met there and there was always someone in attendance ready to give gardening advice. A foldout leaflet gave visitors a guide to what they could expect from their visit.
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The illustrated guide to the Gardens of the Nations can be found here and part two here.
Anne Bartlett
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In April 1935, Ralph was approached by Anne Bartlett. A keen amateur horticulturalist who saw Hancock as an excellent teacher of the trade she wished to enter. Miss Bartlett already had a detailed knowledge of gardening and plants. Her father Charles was likely an associate of Ralph’s in Montclair and had for many years excelled as a landscape gardener. Her mother, Sarah was a florist. Her two brothers were also keen to join their fathers trade.
The article appeared in several newspapers in April 1935. This particular cutting is from The Meriden Daily Journal Connecticut from 5th April 1935.
After making extensive enquiries, it now appears that Anne did not follow the career she had planned for herself. Sometime after the 1935 article appeared, Anne married Joseph Patrick Fallon, also from the Montclair area. In 1942 a son, Joseph (Joey) Fallon Jr was born. He went on to serve in Vietnam before graduating from New York University, Cobleskill with a degree in Horticulture.
He worked for many years in various areas of gardening, including plant production and cultivation, floral design, and landscaping. Joey said that he felt that his love of gardening was a gift from his beloved mother, Anne, and grand-mother, Sarah Bartlett.
Joey passed away in 2005. Leaving behind four sisters, all of whom lived in Florida.
Anne Bartlett tending Alpines
in the Rock Garden
Bartlett Greenhouses and Florist
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Just a mere stones throw away from Montclair in Clifton, is Bartlett Greenhouses and Florist.
Good friend of this website, William Bartlett (no relation) recently visited the long established local institution and discovered that it is operated by three grandchildren of Charles and Sarah. Their grandparents, 19th century immigrants had opened the greenhouse business in 1920 and on the same land where it still operates today. Covering three acres, it comprises of more than twenty greenhouses.
William spoke with Maryetta who confirmed the family connection with Anne. Previously their late father, Harry V Bartlett along with their mother, Irene had been in charge.
Maryetta also mentioned in her conversation with William that her grandfather Charles had been responsible for maintaining many of the local Montclair estates back in the nineteen twenties and thirties, which, no doubt, included many of the gardens created and designed by Ralph?
It is reasonable, to conclude that Ralph would have worked closely with a local supplier. And, an established company such as that operated by Charles and Sarah, would have been able to supply much of what was needed to create beautiful gardens. Ralph would also have needed access to a ready-made workforce. Did he and Charles form a mutual alliance?
British Empire Building
and La Maison Française
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As well as the Gardens on the Nations, Ralph also created spectacular gardens atop two lower level buildings. The British Empire Building and La Maison Française (both fronting Fifth Avenue). He also designed planting for Rockefeller Plaza and the ground level Promenade. ​
Unlike the Gardens of the Nations, these two gardens remain virtually as they did when Ralph built them. They remain popular and regulary host weddings and other events. They also featured in the Spider-man movie starring Toby Maguire released in 2002. Pictured left is the garden on the roof of the British Empire Building when it was opened in the 1930's and right as it looks today.
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Five years after Ralph departed the United States, an ANZAC garden was established within the gardens of the British Empire Building. The idea was that of Silent Movie Star and New Zealander, Nola Luxford. Nola wanted a place where the war dead of New Zealand and Australia could be commemorated annually. The first service took place in 1940. Further information can be found here.
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Departure
After Ralph returned to England in December 1935, where he was to design and create the roof gardens at Derry and Toms, it was left to William J Hoffman (Manager of the Gardens of the Nations) to care for what Ralph had so lovingly created. A small army of gardeners were employed to maintain the lawns and gardens. Ralph had left detailed instructions for the maintenance of his creation but, despite his best efforts, they were not always adhered to.
In 1942, with Japan now at war with the United States, the Japanese garden was removed, even the bamboo arch and established cherry trees were destroyed. In their place a Chinese garden was established complete with a traditional moon gate. They were formally opened by Dr Hu Shih, Ambassador to the US.
Sadly, the Gardens of the Nations no longer exist in their original form. They were destroyed many years ago when the space was used for broadcasting equipment. Some of the hardscaping remains in place, such as the stairs leading to the upper gardens and there is also what remains of the stream. Below are a number of then and now (2007) images of the Gardens.
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In 2017, NBCUniversal announced ambitious plans to reopen the roof space on which the Gardens of the Nations had sat. After much planning and construction the newly refurbished Rockefeller Roof Garden opened to employees and their guests in the summer of 2018. As well as restoring many of the Cotswold stone walls, NBCUniversal also reinstated much of the original planting. New handrails and new flagstones were also added opening up what had been a neglected but usable space.
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For an overview of The Gardens of the Nations from when `Ralph left to their rebirth by NBCUniversal please visit here.
Looking through the Tudor Arch to where Ralph had his private garden - then in 2007
and the steps leading to the Modern Garden and again in 2007.