Jens Jensen, the father of native plant landscape architecture and the founder of Door County’s The Clearing Folk School, was a pillar in the landscape architecture and environmental movements in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In this performance piece, Roger Kuhns takes on Jensen’s personality, mannerisms, accent and ethic to convey to the audience the innovative and conscientious nature of the man. It is a very personal, moving and engaging glimpse of this amazing person.

In the show, Jensen is in the twilight of his career and at 86 years old he was still spry and driven to help people realize the importance of respecting nature.

Jens Jensen

Jens Jensen was born in Dybbol, Denmark in 1860. He came to America as a young man and became the father of landscape architecture using native plants in landscaping design. Jensen was responsible for many of Chicago’s parks and was a leader in the preservation and environmental movements. He worked with famous architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright and his clients in his private practice included Henry Ford. In 1935, he founded The Clearing Folk School in Ellison Bay and inspired a generation of landscape architects, along with many others who attended the folk school. Jensen died there in 1951.