Mount Vernon Place
at 699 Washington Pl, Baltimore , 21201 United States
Baltimore's Washington Monument is the centerpiece of the four squares of Mount Vernon Place.
Address and contacts of Mount Vernon Place
699 Washington Pl
Baltimore , MD 21201
United States Email
Description
Baltimore's Washington Monument is the centerpiece of the four squares of Mount Vernon Place. This American treasure, a National Historic Landmark District, is taking center stage again with a multi-million dollar restoration. The Washington Monument was restored by the Mount Vernon Place Conservancy (MVPC) in 2014-15 and rededicated and reopened on its bicentennial on July 4, 2015. The Squares’ restoration will follow. The Conservancy manages the Monument, and works to improve the conditions in the squares, until they, too, are restored. The goal is to make Mount Vernon Place a desirable place for Baltimoreans, as well as a must-see destination for visitors to the City. Description or History of Mount Vernon Place Almost 200 years ago, Baltimoreans envisioned and commenced one of the most beautiful urban spaces in America, Mount Vernon Place. At its center is Baltimore's Washington Monument, America's first monument to President George Washington and the ideals of American Democracy he represented. The Monument is surrounded by the four squares of Mount Vernon Place (North, East, South, and West Squares). In 1815, Revolutionary War hero John Eager Howard donated the land for the Monument, and the construction was funded by a public lottery. Robert Mills designed the Monument and its ornamental fence. He later designed the better-known Washington Monument in Washington D.C. The cornerstone of the Baltimore Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1815, shortly after the end of the War of 1812, when the British were defeated in Baltimore’s harbor. The column proper was completed in 1829 with the placement of Enrico Causici’s statue of Washington at the top. The statue depicts George Washington submitting his resignation as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in Annapolis in 1783, an act symbolic of his belief in the new American form of democratic government and the world’s most famous peaceful transfer of power. John Eager Howard’s heirs, working with architect Robert Mills, laid out the squares in 1831. A significant redesign was accomplished by Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr., and the City of Baltimore in 1876. This design remained in place until 1917 when America entered World War I. In 1917, as a gesture of support for the French, ground was broken for a statue of the Marquis de Lafayette, who aided the colonial army in the Revolutionary War. To create a setting for this new statue, the Squares underwent a major redesign by the prestigious firm of Carrere and Hastings, the architects of the New York Public Library, from 1917-1924. Their design remains intact today. President Calvin Coolidge, members of the French diplomatic mission in Washington, and a crowd of thousands were present for the dedication of the Lafayette Statue in 1924. HOURS: The Monument is open Wed-Sun. after it's Bicentennial restoration. Check out our website for hours and to book your climb. The Parks of Mount Vernon Place are open Dawn to Dusk. About the Mount Vernon Place Conservancy The Mount Vernon Place Conservancy was formed in October of 2008 with community leadership from the Mount Vernon-Belvedere Association and Friends of Mount Vernon Place. The Conservancy, led by its Board of Directors chaired by Henry H. Hopkins has launched a $12 million capital campaign to create an enduring public space. The community recognized that Mount Vernon Place, a National Historic Landmark, required a greater level of investment than the City of Baltimore could offer, or that could be achieved through the efforts of local volunteers. They contacted Baltimore City officials who expressed their support for the development of a conservancy, based on conservancies already in operation in many U.S. cities. The Conservancy’s first action commissioned a restoration and management Master Plan by the renowned architecture firm, Olin Partnership. Completed in May of 2010, the Master Plan is a guidebook for the pending restoration and rehabilitation of Mount Vernon Place’s historic grandeur. The plan includes restoration of all of the historic masonry, new lighting and electrical systems, traffic calming, and greater access for the disabled. In addition, a significant component of the plan embraces the latest in soil technology and sustainability, plus new irrigation and drainage, with the goal of a rich and sustainable landscape. The finest surviving landscape plan developed by Carrere and Hastings, and the Washington Monument by Robert Mills, the country’s first public monument to George Washington, will emerge as world class attractions when the Master Plan is carried to fruition. The Mount Vernon Place Conservancy is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to restore, maintain, and manage the Washington Monument and Mount Vernon Place Squares in partnership with the City of Baltimore. The Conservancy is committed to sponsoring year round small-scale events in the squares for the community and visitors to enjoy. These include FREE performances (music, dance, vocal), movies shown on a large inflatable screen, theatrical re-enactments and children’s programs. A FREE weekly yoga class is held year round on Saturday mornings—outside in the East Square weather permitting.
Reviews for Washington Monument and Mount Vernon Place
Tiffany H.
Nice to see the original/first monument for Washington! The surrounding park area is super nice and green as well! Inside has lots of fun facts about... Read more
Bruce K.
The first monument to the original Commander in Chief, the first POTUS and the Father of Our Country. It's a super neat monument and the space around it is... Read more
Jessica R.
On the first nice day of spring, my boyfriend and I decided to take advantage of the weather and finally use a Groupon we had for a tour for two. We were... Read more
Company Rating
7444 Facebook users were in Mount Vernon Place. It's a 1 position in Popularity Rating for companies in Public & Government Service category in Baltimore, Maryland13374 FB users likes Mount Vernon Place, set it to 2 position in Likes Rating for Baltimore, Maryland in Public & Government Service category
Summary
Mount Vernon Place is Baltimore based place and this enity listed in Public Services & Government category. Located at 699 Washington Pl MD 21201. Contact phone number of Mount Vernon Place: (410) 962-5070
Public & Government Service category, Baltimore
699 Washington Pl Baltimore , MD 21201 United States
Baltimore's Washington Monument is the centerpiece of the four squares of Mount Vernon Place.
3400 N Charles St Baltimore , MD 21218 United States
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