Mount Vernon near Alexandria in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Bowling Green
"Began again to Smooth the Face of the Lawn, or Bolling [sic] Green on the West front of my House…"
Washington Diary Entry, September 30, 1785
George Washington devised, as the central element of his landscape composition, a level, well-manicured lawn, admiringly described by one French nobleman as "a kind of courtyard with green carpet." While modern visitors may be accustomed to such wide expanses of evenly trimmed grass, 18th-century lawns were expensive to plant and required extensive labor to maintain. The gently curving perimeters gave the landscape a more natural appearance, strongly contrasting with the straight, formal walks of most 18th-century American landscapes. To maintain its appearance, the grass was regularly smoothed with a large stone roller and cut with scythes by skilled enslaved laborers.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 30, 1785.
Location. 38° 42.538′ N, 77° 5.259′ W. Marker is near Alexandria, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is in Mount Vernon. Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. George Washington's Landscape Design (within shouting distance of this marker); Upper Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonial Revival Garden (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ossabaw Island Hogs (about 400 feet away); Lower (Kitchen) Garden (about 400 feet away); Wood That Looks Like Stone (about 400 feet away); Botanical Garden (about 400 feet away); Gardener's House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.
Additional keywords. landscape architecture
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 102 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 26, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
