Kenilworth Park in Northeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Display Pools
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Marketing a wide variety of aquatic plants, especially tropical lilies, contributed to the success of Shaw Gardens. The concrete display pools, also referred to as display ponds, installed between 1912 and 1927, played a crucial role in boosting sales.
After passing the winter in the greenhouse, tropical water lilies spent a brief time in the display pools as temperatures warmed. Once adjusted to outdoor conditions, they were moved to the main ponds.
[Caption:]
Display pools shown in catalogues from Shaw Gardens dating to the 1930s, helped customers realize what a smaller pool might look like in their own back yard.
"A tasteful lily pool will actually add many times its small cost to the value of your property." — Shaw Gardens Catalogue, 1933
[Aside:]
An Up-Close View
The display pools gave visitors and customers a closer look at new lotus and lily hybrids, many of which could also be found in the larger pond.
Some of the lilies that visitors would see in these pools, had names relevant to the times or described some aspect of the flowers. Hybrids such as: Nymphaea 'Pink Opal,' 'Suffragette,' and 'General Pershing' proved popular.
Erected by
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.
Location. 38° 54.753′ N, 76° 56.496′ W. Marker is in Northeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Kenilworth Park. Marker can be reached from Anacostia Avenue Northeast, 0.1 miles west of Ponds Street Northeast, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1550 Anacostia Avenue Northeast, Washington DC 20019, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Aquatic Greenhouse #1 (a few steps from this marker); Helen Shaw Fowler (within shouting distance of this marker); Preserve and Protect (within shouting distance of this marker); Aquatic Greenhouse #3 (within shouting distance of this marker); Beauty and Business (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jericho City of Praise (approx. 0.2 miles away); Victoria amazonica (approx. 0.2 miles away); Under the Boardwalk (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northeast Washington.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 101 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 27, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
