The National Mall in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
"Garden for Victory!"
This garden is inspired by the victory gardens of World War II.
During America's involvement in World War II (1941-1945), the Victory Garden Program strove to reduce demand for commercially grown vegetables, packaging materials, and transportation needs by encouraging Americans to grow their own produce and preserve and can their surplus harvest. This made more food and materials available for the armed forces and programs that supported America's Allies. By empowering people to grow their own food, victory gardens made Americans feel part of a greater cause.
Victory Gardens by the Numbers
Roughly one half of all American families had a victory garden during World War II.
There were at least 20 million victory gardens covering more than 20 million acres of American soil by 1943.
40% of the nation's produce was supplied by victory gardens by 1944.
American families had grown approximately 8 million tons of food by the time the war ended in 1945.
[Sidebar:]
Visit the Within These Walls exhibition on Floor 2 of the National Museum of American History to explore the story of Mary Scott and her family, who painted a victory garden and preserved vegetables in Ipswich, Massachusetts,
this page online
Erected by Smithsonian Gardens, Smithsonian Institution.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1943.
Location. 38° 53.483′ N, 77° 1.699′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in The National Mall. It is on 12th Street Northwest just south of Constitution Avenue Northwest (U.S. 1/50), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 620 12th St NW, Washington DC 20560, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: We Need You! (a few steps from this marker); "For Country, for Community!" (a few steps from this marker); Cascade Hops (within shouting distance of this marker); A Log Called Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Chiogga Beets (within shouting distance of this marker); "Of Course I Can!" (within shouting distance of this marker); Chioggia Beets (within shouting distance of this marker); Green Glaze Collards (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. An identical marker stands a few feet away.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 230 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 27, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
