Madison in Morgan County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Formal Southern Landscapes
Photographed By David Seibert, June 13, 2011
1. Formal Southern Landscapes Marker
Like Madison's high-style architecture, its formal landscapes were Southern translations of both prevalent trends and earlier traditions. Boxwood gardens were an antebellum landscape feature gracing many Madison homes. Parterres were a garden form developed in Renaissance France and originally inspired by lace brocade patterns. These and other Madison gardens found form in plantings of English boxwood. Landscape architecture often echoed the architectural spirit of the residents. ‘Boxwood’ c. 1850, having two different building fronts, matched garden and porch characteristics: rigidly straight-lined for the Doric order portico and curvilinear for the Italianate porch. Such eclectic design of both home and garden reflected the influence of an English aesthetic, as England was the 19th century economic, political and cultural leader, and its tastes were imitated all over the Victorian world. Thus, the 19th century parterre craze experienced in English gardens found its way into the antebellum landscape of this and other Madison homes.
Erected 2011 by City of Madison, Madison BiCentennial
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.
Location. 33° 35.583′ N, 83° 28.367′ W. Marker is in Madison, Georgia, in Morgan County. Marker is at the intersection of Academy Street and Porter Street, on the right when traveling east on Academy Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 357 Academy Street, Madison GA 30650, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Early Religious Life (within shouting distance of this marker); The March to the Sea (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Stoneman Raid (about 500 feet away); Joshua Hill Home (about 600 feet away); The Town Commons (about 600 feet away); Foundation to Consolidation (about 600 feet away); Advanced Education Center (about 700 feet away); Early Academies (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.
Photographed By David Seibert, June 13, 2011
2. Formal Southern Landscapes Marker
Photographed By David Seibert, June 13, 2011
3. Academy Street entrance to Boxwood
Photographed By David Seibert, June 13, 2011
4. Boxwood Entrance Drive from Academy Street
Photographed By David Seibert, June 13, 2011
5. Boxwood Gardens
The curvilinear gardens for Boxwood's Italianate porch (just visible in the background), facing Academy Street.
Photographed By David Seibert, June 13, 2011
6. Boxwood Gardens
Gardens on the Italianate side facing Academy Street
Photographed By David Seibert, June 13, 2011
7. Boxwood
Boxwood's Old Post Road facade, with its Doric portico and straight lined garden design.
Photographed By David Seibert, June 13, 2011
8. Boxwood Gardens
Straight-line gardens on the Old Post Road side, matching the Doric porch.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 655 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on November 17, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
