The 7-acre gardens were part of the estate of Arthur and Jeannette Dunn, who purchased the land for their summer home. James Dawson, of the Olmsted Brothers firm, was commissioned to emphasize the natural features of the land, taking advantage of the gradual slope of the property to emphasize the sweeping views of Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains. Large, pre-existing stands of second-growth Douglas firs were incorporated into the plan, which also included flowering shrubs and trees. Stands of trees edged by perennial beds frame areas of open lawn.

The original landscape remains, complete with curving paths, drives, and a great lawn, in addition to the E.B. Dunn Woodland Garden. Designed by Arthur’s son Edward, the 2.5-acre woodland garden is forested with firs and deciduous trees planted by Dunn, along with a variety of other woodland plantings. The estate and gardens were listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.