Gardner’s Treehouses

Norman Gardner built two treehouses: one for his children and one for his grandchildren. There is no known photographic record of the first treehouse, constructed in a Japanese contemporary style at Gardner’s own home in New Rochelle. This treehouse was not built in a tree but rather was tucked below a large tulip tree and anchored on its own base into the side of a rocky hillside, that elevated the back portion of the yard. The treehouse served as a launching point for a rope swing hung by Gardner on a sturdy branch of the tulip tree, thereby enabling kids to swing from the back edge of the rocky rise, out into the air, almost all the way to the side of the house. It was a blast and the envy of the neighborhood!

The Second Treehouse

Gardner built the second treehouse over the course of three or four visits to California in 2005 and 2006. He was aided in this effort by his daughter, Valerie, and his granddaughters, Amelia and Sarah.

Treehouse Showcase
This is a photo gallery of images of the 2005-2006 treehouse being built by Norman Gardner. You can click on an image to see that image at full size.