Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Period Garden Park

City of Madison

Photographed by William J. Toman, December 4, 2010

1. Period Garden Park Marker

Inscription. Designed to preserve part of the original gracious character of the Mansion Hill area, the Period Garden Park incorporated historical elements that complement its two landmark neighbors, the Elisha Keyes House and the Timothy Brown House. The combination of grassy areas and large planted beds occurred frequently in early Madison domestic gardens. Curvilinear forms, brick walkways, carved sandstone step decorations and iron fencing were also familiar elements. When a thirty-unit apartment building was planned for this site, the former lawn of the Elisha Keyes House, neighborhood residents, downtown businesses and interested citizens from around the city worked and contributed to the historic park fund to create this garden. City and state officials cooperated to secure state and federal funds for part of the purchase price. The park was developed and is maintained by the City Parks Division. It was dedicated on May 8, 1977 by the Board of the Park Commissioners and the Madison Landmarks Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1746.

Location. 43° 4.725′ N,

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89° 23.186′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. It is at the intersection of East Gorham Street and North Pinckney Street, on the right when traveling west on East Gorham Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 East Gorham Street, Madison WI 53703, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in 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

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mansion Hill Historic District (here, next to this marker); Timothy Brown House (a few steps from this marker); Keyes House (within shouting distance of this marker); Bashford House (within shouting distance of this marker); Pierce House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kendall House (about 300 feet away); Old Governor's Mansion (about

Photographed by Anna M. Toman, August 22, 2012

2. Period Garden Park Marker

400 feet away); Keenan House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Also see . . . History of the Park. History of the Park's Development, From Park News, Fall 2002. Includes photos of the Elisha Keyes House, Keenan Home and additional park features. (Submitted on December 6, 2010.)

Photographed by William J. Toman, December 4, 2010

3. Period Garden Park Marker

The Period Garden Park marker is seen on the right and the Mansion Hill Historic District marker is seen on the left.

Photographed by Anna M. Toman, August 22, 2012

4. Period Garden Park Marker

Period Garden Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William J. Toman, December 4, 2010

5. Period Garden Park

The East Gorham Street entrance to the park, with the sandstone steps mentioned in the marker.

Photographed by Anna M. Toman, August 22, 2012

6. Period Garden Park

Photographed by William J. Toman, December 4, 2010

7. Period Garden Park

This is the view from the southwest, looking toward the Timothy Brown House.

Photographed by Anna M. Toman, August 22, 2012

8. Period Garden Park

This photo shows the weeping mulberry tree in full foliage. See the photo below for a closeup of the tangle of branches inside the tree.

Photographed by William J. Toman, December 4, 2010

9. Period Garden Park

This is the view from the northeast.

Photographed by Anna M. Toman, August 22, 2012

10. Period Garden Park

Period Garden Park Fountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William J. Toman, December 4, 2010

11. Period Garden Park Fountain

Closeup of fountain base.

Photographed by Anna M. Toman, August 22, 2012

12. Period Garden Park Fountain

Photographed by William J. Toman, December 4, 2010

13. Period Garden Park

This is the view from the south, at the corner of East Gorham Street and North Pinckney Street, with the Elisha Keyes house on the left and the Timothy Brown house on the right.

Photographed by Anna M. Toman, August 22, 2012

14. Period Garden Park

Photographed by William J. Toman, December 4, 2010

15. Period Garden Park

Statuary in the northeast corner of the park.

Photographed by Anna M. Toman, August 22, 2012

16. Period Garden Park

Photographed by Anna M. Toman, August 22, 2012

17. Period Garden Park Fountain

Welcome to Period Garden Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Anna M. Toman, August 22, 2012

18. Welcome to Period Garden Park

Sign on fountain.“This is a city owned park that is cared for, planted and maintained all by volunteers of the Mansion Hill Neighborhood working through Capitol Neighborhoods Inc. and the City Parks Department. ¶ All the flowers, plants and trees are paid for with local donations as we do not receive money from the city budget. ¶ Al labor is provided by dedicated volunteers, who give their time and effort to maintain this beautiful park. ¶ Please revere this gift, and leave the grounds as you found it for others to enjoy. ¶ Do not pick the flowers or disturb the plants. www.periodgardenpark.org”

Interior of Weeping Mulberry Tree at the Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Anna M. Toman, August 22, 2012

19. Interior of Weeping Mulberry Tree at the Park

Fountain and the Timothy Brown House in Winter and Summer image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William J. Toman (top) Anna M. Toman (bottom), 2010/2012

20. Fountain and the Timothy Brown House in Winter and Summer

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,335 times since then and 30 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week July 28, 2013. Photos: 1. submitted on December 4, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on August 24, 2012, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on December 4, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on August 24, 2012, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 5. submitted on December 4, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 6. submitted on August 24, 2012, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 7. submitted on December 4, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 8. submitted on August 24, 2012, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 9. submitted on December 4, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 10. submitted on August 24, 2012, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 11. submitted on December 4, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 12. submitted on August 24, 2012, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 13. submitted on December 4, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 14. submitted on August 24, 2012, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 15. submitted on December 4, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 16, 17, 18, 19. submitted on August 24, 2012, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 20. submitted on July 27, 2013. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.