Mount Vernon near Alexandria in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Colonial Revival Garden
Mount Vernon's lower garden provided vegetables, fruits, and herbs to feed the Washingtons and their guests. Kitchen gardens were considered the most consequential part of gardening in the 18th century as they contributed to health and survival. Produce was taken to the kitchen to be served fresh in season and preserved in large quantities for use throughout the year.
This garden represents an important chapter in American landscape history. Its reconstruction in 1938 exemplified the Colonial Revival garden featuring geometric planting beds, grass paths, brick-walled dipping cisterns (used to gather water), and expaliered fruit trees (shaped lot against the walls).
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Horticulture & Forestry. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.
Location. 38° 42.488′ N, 77° 5.256′ W. Marker is near Alexandria, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is in Mount Vernon. It can be reached from George Washington Memorial Parkway
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Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lower (Kitchen) Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Espaliers and Cordons (within shouting distance of this marker); Exciting Discoveries (within shouting distance of this marker); Peter Hardiman and Family (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mount Vernon Ladies Association
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 393 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 26, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
