Glen Echo in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A riotous country jumble
Clara Barton National Historic Site
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 24, 2017
1. “A riotous country jumble” Marker
Clara Barton's property was a reflection of her personality: practical, thrifty, and just a bit eccentric. Visitors to her home frequently commented on the utilitarian grounds filled with fruit trees and rows of vegetables instead of formal gardens. Although the property may have appeared cluttered and ill-kept to guests, the estate was largely self-sustaining, and Miss Barton could gather the food for her semi-strict vegetarian diet from her own garden.
Clara Barton's mixture of practical crops with decorative flowers prompted one visitor to describe her gardens as a riotous country jumble of pear trees, tomatoes, marigolds, rose bushes, and corn.
In addition to the wide variety of fruits and vegetables grown here, Clara Barton kept goats, chickens, and cows to supply the household with dairy products and eggs. A stable on the west side of the property also housed a pair of horses.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Charity & Public Work • Women. In addition, it is included
this page online
Location. 38° 58.023′ N, 77° 8.431′ W. Marker is in Glen Echo, Maryland, in Montgomery County. It is on Oxford Road south of University Avenue, on the left when traveling south. On a parking lot at Glen Echo Park near the Clara Barton National Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5801 Oxford Road, Glen Echo MD 20812, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Clara Barton House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hall of Philosophy (within shouting distance of this marker); A Life of Service (within shouting distance of this marker); A Heroine's Home (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 24, 2017
2. “A riotous country jumble” Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Glen Echo Parks Crystal Pool (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); The Changing Face of Glen Echo (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); The Glen Echo Park Yurts (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); The Roller Coasters of Glen Echo Amusement Park (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed); 1921 (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed); Glen Echo From Past to Present (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 24, 2017
3. Miss Clara Barton Rose
The Conrad & Jones Company of Pennsylvania developed a “Miss Clara Barton Rose” in 1898 which they sent to Miss Barton to grow in her gardens. The rose had large pink flowers and a strong sweet fragrance and quickly became one of her favorites. Catalog photo courtesy of The Conrad-Pyle Co.Close-up of images on marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 24, 2017
4. Susie and Silas
Susie and Silas, two servants in the Barton household, caring for the animals.Close-up of photo on marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,608 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on July 17, 2026, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 1, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
