Mount Vernon Place / Heritage Landscapes

Mount Vernon Place
Baltimore, Maryland

Mount Vernon Place is one of the nation’s premiere historic public landscapes. The first Washington monument in the United States was constructed outside the growing City of Baltimore between 1815 and 1829 on a parcel of land known as Howard’s Woods. In 1831 the unusual form of the four park squares surrounding the monument was laid out. Baltimore grew steadily outwards to encompass the monument and park squares, which witnessed multiple periods of landscape evolution. In 1876 Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. was contracted by the City to carry out improvements of the North and South Squares. In 1884 Robert Garrett, president of B&O R.R., and art collector William Walters landscaped the West Square with its bronze statues and round fountain. In 1919 the architectural firm of Carrère & Hastings was hired to improve the squares with fountains, stairs and balustrades. Periodic repairs have been undertaken over the years. Following this current design process, the City of Baltimore will rehabilitate the historic area within their capital improvements program.

Heritage Landscapes worked with the City and community to identify the objectives for rehabilitating Mount Vernon Place, to enhance its social vitality within the historic integrity of the landscape, and to determine the short and long-term actions. The Preservation Plan researched the historic significance, character and evolution of the landscape, and the historic social resources of this green space within the dense urban confines of Baltimore. Base maps were compiled using plans provided by Baltimore Recreation and Parks and existing conditions mapping by Heritage Landscapes. The study of the evolution and character of the landscape resulted in schematic designs identifying several approaches for rehabilitation of the four squares. These are the basis for a rehabilitation plan acknowledging the Mount Vernon Place landscape as an integral part of a dynamic city streetscape.

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Client:
City of Baltimore, Department of Recreation & Parks

Project:
Rehabilitation & Treatment Plan for Mount Vernon Place, North &
East Square Construction Documents

Project Credits:
Heritage Landscapes, Preservation Landscape Architects & Planners