Columbia Heights in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Creating the "City Beautiful"
Meridian Hill Park, National Historic Landmark
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013
1. Creating the "City Beautiful" Marker
Inscription.
Creating the "City Beautiful". Meridian Hill Park, National Historic Landmark. At the beginning of its second century, the nation's capital was changing dramatically. In 1902, the United States Senate adopted a number of recommendations from the Senate Park Commission, popularly known as the McMillan Commission. By 1910, a federally appointed group of architects and designers, the Commission of Fine Arts, was directing the rehabilitation of the National Mall. Under their supervision, construction began on several new buildings near the Capitol, including monuments to Lincoln and Jefferson, and on a series of new parks. , Two principles guided both commissions. The first was Pierre L'Enfant's 1792 plan of the city, which had never been fully realized and had nearly been lost during the 19th century. The second was creation and maintenance of grand public spaces, as endorsed by the proponents of the City Beautiful movement of the 1890s, and exemplified by the Beaux Arts designs of the French and Italian Renaissance revivals. Serving as a "monumental entrance to Washington," Meridian Hill Park demonstrates both principles. , According to Meridian Hill Park's National Historic Landmark nomination (1994), "the creation of a Renaissance villa landscape in the midst of an American city to serve as a public park has no true parallel." , For more information go to: www.nps.gov/mehi
At the beginning of its second century, the nation's capital was changing dramatically. In 1902, the United States Senate adopted a number of recommendations from the Senate Park Commission, popularly known as the McMillan Commission. By 1910, a federally appointed group of architects and designers, the Commission of Fine Arts, was directing the rehabilitation of the
National Mall. Under their supervision, construction began on several new buildings near the Capitol, including monuments to Lincoln and Jefferson, and on a series of new parks.
Two principles guided both commissions. The first was Pierre L'Enfant's 1792 plan of the city, which had never been fully realized and had nearly been lost during the 19th century. The second was creation and maintenance of grand public spaces, as endorsed by the proponents of the City Beautiful movement of the 1890s, and exemplified by the Beaux Arts designs of the French and Italian Renaissance revivals. Serving as a "monumental entrance to Washington," Meridian Hill Park demonstrates both principles.
According to Meridian Hill Park's National Historic Landmark nomination (1994), "the creation of a Renaissance villa landscape in the midst of an American city to serve as a public park has no true parallel."
For more information go to: www.nps.gov/mehi
Erected by
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National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Location. 38° 55.332′ N, 77° 2.128′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Columbia Heights. Marker can be reached from 15th Street Northwest north of Chapin Street Northwest, on the left when traveling north. This marker is on of four on the eastern side of Meridian Hill Park along the park paths paralleling 15th Street just south of the comfort stations. They are across the street from 2407 15th St NW Washington, DC 20009. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washington DC 20009, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The rendering of Neo-classical and French Renaissance forms in 20th century architectural concrete make the park uniquely American. In the Cascades recirculating water flows down through thirteen basins and into the reflecting pool of the Lower Plaza.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013
5. Before the Park
The site as it appeared in 1914 when design of the park began.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 15, 2008
6. The Cascades
In Summer
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013
7. The Cascades
In Winter
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013
8. The Armillary Sphere
The armillary sphere that appears in photo #4 disappeared in 1978. This ring of thorn bushes surrounds the original site of the armillary Sphere.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013
9. The pedestal
The pedestal of the armillary sphere.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 584 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on March 27, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.