One of the main goals when devising OLIN’s Master Plan (see summary) was to look at the park as a cohesive whole; not a series of streets, sidewalks, gardens, and statues, but a unified urban space that needs modern upgrades to become a more attractive, safer, accessible, and sustainable “place.”
With a team of civil engineers, arborists, stone conservation experts, and public space management specialists, OLIN’s plan looks at Mount Vernon Place holistically and addresses the needs of a modern urban park; needs that were not considered when the park was designed a century ago.
Below ground, the plan addresses outdated infrastructure, new soils to resist compaction and retain stormwater, and added irrigation systems. Above ground, new flowers, shrubs, and trees have been specifically chosen for an urban environment, allowing them to thrive into the future without compromising existing utilities and hardscapes. Historic stone elements will be preserved and restored, and accessibility and pedestrian safety tremendously increased with the addition of sidewalks and curb cuts on the perimeter of the squares.
More detailed plans have been created for the North and South Squares that adhere to the principals laid out in the approved Master Plan. An exciting look at how these squares might appear is available in our latest educational VIDEO.
The Conservancy leadership is dedicated to completing this restoration of Mount Vernon Place, reestablishing this historic space in Baltimore, and ensuring its vitality for the next century.
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.
![]() Contact the Conservancy |
Our StaffLance Humphries, Ph.D. Executive Director Paul Wissman Associate Manager George Chang Site Manager |
|
Officers | |||
Henry H. HopkinsPresidentRetired Chief Legal Counsel T. Rowe Price & Associates | Faith C. MillspaughVice-President | Michael BalcomTreasurer | Donald P. McPherson, IIISecretary Chair, Legal/Agreement Committee |
Directors | |||
Elizabeth Bonner | Terrell Boston-SmithCity of Baltimore, Office of the Sheriff | Joe BrantThe Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University | Scott BrillmanMount Vernon-Belvedere Association |
Connie CaplanThe Time Group | Adrianne Walker CarrollHaymaker Promotions | Councilman Eric C. Costello | Rosalee Davison |
Andrew B. FrankCity of Baltimore, Office of the Comptroller | John A. GilpinCo-Chair, Maintenance & Program Committee | Donte JohnsonHotel Revival | Jane McConnell, RN JDCo-Chair, Maintenance & Program Committee |
Therese O’Malley, Ph.D.Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts | Tracy ProiettiNuovoRe | Charles Rutheiser, Ph.DThe Annie E. Casey Foundation | |
Ex-Officio | |||
Reginald MooreDirector |
For statements prior to those provided, please contact treasurer@mvpconservancy.org.
Lance Humphries, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Paul Wissman
Associate Manager
George Chang
Site Manager
Vice-President
Mount Vernon Club
Treasurer
Senior Associate
Brown Advisory
Secretary Chair, Legal/Agreement Committee
Retired Partner
DLA Piper LLP (US)
City of Baltimore, Office of the Sheriff
The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University
Mount Vernon-Belvedere Association
The Time Group
Haymaker Promotions
City of Baltimore, Office of the Comptroller
Co-Chair, Maintenance & Program Committee
Baltimore Community Foundation
Hotel Revival
Co-Chair, Maintenance & Program Committee
Maryland Medicine Comprehensive Insurance Program
Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts
National Gallery of Art
NuovoRe
The Annie E. Casey Foundation
Director
Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks
For statements prior to those provided, please contact treasurer@mvpconservancy.org.