The Conservancy

In 2008 a group of Baltimore residents established the Mount Vernon Place Conservancy. One of the pressing needs for the formation of the Conservancy was the then poor conditions of the Washington Monument and the surrounding park squares. The Monument was approaching its 200th anniversary, and the park squares in their current design were almost 100 years old. At the time the Conservancy was formed it was clear that not only were plans needed to restore and revitalize these features, but significant funding would be needed to accomplish the work.

By 2010, the Washington Monument was closed to visitors by the City of Baltimore due to dangerous conditions. Shortly after, a car accident caused severe damage to sections of the iron fencing around the monument. Having secured funding to begin planning, the Conservancy hired internationally renowned landscape architects, OLIN partners in Philadelphia to develop a Master Plan for the restoration and revitalization of Mount Vernon Place. This plan was guided by extensive research into the historic design of the Monument and the existing design of the squares by Carrère & Hastings.

The City’s Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP), in conjunction with other City departments, approved the concepts of the Master Plan in 2011, and specifically approved the more detailed plans for the Washington Monument and the North and South Squares as presented. As further more detailed plans were developed, the Conservancy would need to return to CHAP for final approval.

After entering into its 2012 partnership agreement with the City of Baltimore, the Conservancy completed the first phase of revitalization, and restored the Washington Monument in 2014-15. The $7 million breath-taking restoration garnered an unprecedented 14 awards from the local, state, and national organizations in the design, construction, and restoration fields. Since reopening the Monument, over 100,000 guests have visited, and over 40,000 have climbed the 227 steps to take in the impressive view. These visitors come from all over the nation and world—as they have since the Monument was built. The restoration, and its many discoveries, was documented in a series of brief videos that can be viewed HERE.