Channing Harris

Board of Directors

Channing grew up in rural Massachusetts where he was first educated and became interested in nature and architectural history. His undergraduate thesis exhibit at Hampshire College analyzed the 19th century development of industries and architecture in Orange, Massachusetts. Following post-graduate work/study in San Francisco and New York, he completed the Master of Landscape Architecture program at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design.

His nearly 40-year career with the New Haven firm of Towers | Golde involved designing and managing landscape projects for universities, hospitals and other institutions, generally collaborating with architects, engineers and construction professionals. During this time he also taught, served his professional organization and was an active member of the Society for College and University Planning. Now retired, he consults as a volunteer on projects involving historical research and restoration, including Yale and New Haven’s historic landscapes, parks and the Grove Street Cemetery and Arboretum. Channing joined the Board of the New Haven Preservation Trust in 2006 and has been active with the Preservation and Awards committees, programs and providing tours.

Last year he received the National Garden Clubs’ 2024 Award of Excellence, “…for work making a significant difference in advancing the education and study of gardening and horticulture and promoting civic and environmental responsibility.” You may find him hiking in East Rock Park.