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2009.1072.07

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The Garden Club of America Entrance Markers to Washington

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Article

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Kim Prothro Williams

Published Date

2007-2008

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See chapter "The Garden Club of America Entrance Markers to Washington"
By Kim Prothro Williams
pages 69-76

Washington History
Volumes 19 and 20
2007-2009
Published by the Historical Society of Washington, DC

A letter to Carol Coffin from Alicia Ravenel about this article was tucked inside was found and transcribed below: (A transcription of the chapter to follow)

6910 Delaware Street
Chevy Chase, Md. 20815
June 10, 20009

Dear Carol,

Enclosed is a Washington Historical Society magazine with an article on our wonderful G.C.A. markers written by Kim Williams in the D.C. Office of Historic Preservation. As there are no more copies of the booklet I am mailing it to you and I would appreciate it if you would pass it on to the Chevy Chase Historical Society archives after you are finished with it.

For the record, I think I should point out a mistake in Kim's excellent article. She states that there is not a Virginia marker left. Actually, I located one in 1993 and I returned to the site last week and it is still there. I believe Kim missed it as it is quite black and it does not stand out on its patch of grass across Key Bridge entering Virginia. Now as a result of Kim's article, a D.C. homeowner has come forth and says she may have a Virginia G.C.A. pylon in her backyard. We plan to visit the home shortly to verify. Based on the photographs we have seen, we believe it is indeed a lost marker. It is amazing how these gems keep popping up!!!!!

There is another mystery concerning the G.C.A. pylons. Kim believes there were 13 markers made with a singleton placed at Alaska Avenue based on an April 23, 1932 Washington Star article. There is only one stone at that location today. However, an October 13, 1933 Washington Star refers to six set of markers having been installed including a pair at Georgia and Alaska Avenue. Which article is correct???

Hope you have a nice summer.

With best wishes,

Alicia Ravenel

********

The Garden Club of America Entrance Markers to Washington

by Kim Prothro Williams

In 1932, in a series of special events across the country between February 22 and
Thanksgiving Day, the nation officially celebrated the 200th anniversary of the birth of George Washington. Planning for the celebration had begun in December 1924, when an act of Congress created the George Washington Bicentennial Commission to study and recommend a "proper" commemoration of the first true American" so that "future generations of American citizens may live according to the example and precepts of his exalted life and character And thus perpetuate the American Republic." Each state was encouraged to appoint commissions and committees to formulate programs for a celebration, in conjunction with the federal commission. In addition, the commission invited the public to send recommendations for the celebration. (Endnote 1)

In the nation's capital, a series of major and collateral events were planned, including the formal opening of the Mount Vernon Memorial Boulevard (Virginia leg of the George Washington Memorial Parkway), completion and opening of the Arlington Memorial Bridge, and construction of the U.S. Supreme Court building. The Garden. Club of America proposed its own, albeit lesser, contribution to the celebration-the beautification and marking of the entrances of important roads into the city from Virginia and Maryland. To this end, the Garden Club worked with the National Capital Park and Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts on the design and construction of pairs of limestone markers, to be set within an established planting scheme, for six or more locations. Despite considerable attention from the press during the planning process, however, the actual installation of the markers at various sites around the city received scant newspaper coverage. Today, three of six pairs of markers thought to have been erected and a single marker survive in situ. Though little known and sometimes mistaken for original 1791 boundary stones, the 1932 Garden Club of America markers still stand, commemorating an important event in our nation's history.

The idea of marking entrances into the city had been around for some time, but began gaining serious traction in 1929 as part of a massive public building program undertaken during the Hoover administration. In October of that year, the National Capital Park and Planning Commission began studying ideas for treatment of "imposing entrances" into what is destined to be the most lavishly developed capital in the world." In particular, NCPPC was working with the American Institute of Architects to develop monumental approaches into the city from Virginia at Key Bridge and from Maryland at 16th Street, as well as at lesser portals at various other entry points into the city. (2)

In the spring of 1930 the Garden Club of America solicited NCPPC with a proposal to
sponsor the marking of entrances into the city as part of the George Washington bicentennial celebration planned for 1932. As initially envisioned by the club's National Capital Committee, under the chairmanship of Mrs. Frank B. Noyes, the club would design and implement a planting scheme at important approaches into the city. In October the GCA expanded the landscaping plan to include "two shafts or columns surmounted by eagles" at the entrances. NCPPC endorsed the notion of using columns, and thus began working with the Garden Club of America on developing a design for entry markers. (3)

In October 1930 and again in January 1931, NCPPC presented the Garden Club's idea for marking entrances into the city to the Commission of Fine Arts for its approval. At the January meeting, NCPPC suggested re using 16 foot columns that were being removed from the State, War, and Navy building (the Old Executive Office Building, now the Eisenhower Executive Office Building) and enhancing them with eagles on top. The CFA examined the proposed design and unanimously rejected it as "being out of scale and inappropriate as a marker." Charles Moore, chairman of the CFA, further noted that the old columns are being removed "because they are bad and they should not be allowed to be re erected in some other part of the city." He thought a more appropriate model for such columns could be found in the pylons and eagles at the Columbia Island end of Arlington Memorial Bridge. Still, he felt that "the Garden Club of America would planting scheme the various entrances to the District of Columbia ... allowing space for some Architectural motif appropriately designed that could be erected there later." (4)

Following the meeting, More wrote to Lieutenant Colonel U.S. Grant II, executive officer of NCPPC, to explain the commission's decision, strongly suggesting that in view of the Garden Club's limited budget of $4,000, the fund should be expended striclty expended strictly "on planting schemes, which ultimately would serve [as] surroundings of appropriately designed and executed markers." Despite this recommendation from CFA, Colonel Grant continued to pursue the idea of monumental entrance markers with the Garden Club, seizing upon Moore's reference to the Memorial Bridge pylons. In February NCPPC returned to the CFA with drawings of a proposed pylon design modeled after those on the bridge. As drawn, the pylons measured 14 feet 6 inches in height, with the eagles on top rising an additional 2 feet 4 inches. The Garden Club planned to erect temporary pylons out of concrete, at an estimated cost of $275 each, to be ready in time for the Washington bicentennial. The Commission reluctantly approved the pylon concept, but urged NCPPC and GCA to make the pylons in permanent form, recommending white cement mixed with white marble aggregate, and suggesting marble tips in place of eagles. An article about the proposed pylons and an accompanying sketch appeared in the Evening Star on March 7. (5)

Although it approved the entry pylons, the Commission remained adamant in its opinion that the Garden Club should adopt primarily a planting scheme that included smaller scale markers. By April 1931 the Garden Club had acceded to the Commission's suggestions, and the pylon idea was replaced with a much more modest proposal for smaller stone markers to be set within a planted bed. The design of these markers, later delineated by architect Edward Donn, was based upon those of the Mason Dixon Line and the 1791 boundary stones of the District of Columbia. The markers were to be made of Aquia Creek sandstone and were to be adorned with the Maryland coat of arms or the Virginia state seal on one side, as appropriate, and a seal representing the District of Columbia on the other. In a letter to Moore, Colonel Grant wrote, "I am very glad to note that the Fine Arts Commission approves a design similar to the Boundary stones of the District of Columbia as it seems to me that the use of the design of markers approved by President Washington and used on the original District Line is unusually appropriate for anything done in and about the District in 1932." To avoid any impression that the stones officially marked the state line, the CFA proposed that the markers include an inscription on one side that read "Presented by the Garden Club of America." (6)

After conducting a site visit to both the 16th Street and Wisconsin Avenue entrances to the District, the Commission of Fine Arts recommended that a location plan be developed for the markers, together with a "suitable planting scheme." A May 1931 letter from Charles Moore to Mrs. Fairfax Harrison of the Garden Club notes that, based upon bids received by architect Edward Donn, the markers could be delivered to the Garden Club, set in place, and carved with the coats of arms for $500 per pair. In December 1931, following final approvals by NCPPC, the Garden Club noted in its minutes that it would erect four pairs of markers: two at the "Highway Bridge, Mount Vernon" (predecessor to today's 14th Street Bridge), two at
Key Bridge, two at 16th Street, and two at Chevy Chase Circle, for a cost of $3,900.7

Ultimately, the Garden Club of America erected six pairs of markers and one single marker (thirteen markers in total), though not all within the time frame allotted for the bicentennial celebration. The first entry markers, including pairs on the Virginia side of the Key and Highway bridges, a pair at 16th Street, and a single marker at Georgia and Alaska avenues and Kalmia Street in Maryland, had been erected by April 24, 1932, according to an article that day in the Evening Star, which also ran a photograph of a Key Bridge marker. Despite being installed as part of the Washington bicentennial events of 1932, the dedication of these markers received little or no local press coverage or fanfare. (8)

Over the course of the next few years, three more pairs of markers were erected at entrances into the city from Maryland: one pair at Chevy Chase Circle, one pair at Wisconsin and Western avenues, and one pair at Westmoreland Circle. The Chevy Chase Circle markers were dedicated, along with the Francis G. New lands Memorial Fountain. in October 1933. According to the Evening Star, the Chevy Chase Circle markers were the "sixth to be placed by the Garden Club of America at important gateways to the city." One of these six locations was the pair of markers at Wisconsin and Western avenues. N.W., though there is no public record of their installation. Nor is there any press coverage of the placement of two markers in Westmoreland Circle, at Massachusetts and Western avenues, some time between 1933 and 1935. (9)

Of the six pairs and one single marker installed, pairs of markers still exist at Chevy Chase and Westmoreland Circles and at Wisconsin and Western avenues, while the single marker remains at the confluence of Georgia and Alaska avenues. No markers are located at the 16th Street portal, and neither pair of markers survive Virginia side of Highway Bridge. While the Garden Club of America donated the markers their Virginia and Maryland den clubs donate rounding plants have largely failed survive. The American Automobile Association contributed small posts and chains to encircle the markers, but only tow markers-at Westmoreland Circle and at Georgia Avenue-still have them. (10)

Despite the Garden Club's intention to sponsor the entry markers as part of the George Washington bicentennial activities, the project evolved on a smaller scale and extended beyond the confines of the celebration between February to November 1932. The limited press coverage of marker dedications barely mentions association with the bicentennial, and none of the reports about the events surrounding the celebration mentions the efforts of the Garden Club to beautify the city's entryways. Even the Garden Club of America, in a 1942 report on its achievements, fails to mention the intended purpose of the markers, simply noting that they "mark the entrances to Washington." (11)

As constructed, the entrance markers are upright, rectangular, dolmen like stones constructed of Aquia Creek sandstone. Although the stones originally rose approximately five feet in height, they are now of varying heights, having been knocked over and broken by erratic motorists and re erected on their broken bases. The markers feature fluted shafts with fluting on center running vertically the full length of the shaft, and horizontally along the edges, forming a defined border.

On the markers located at the Maryland District line, the seal of Maryland (the shield of the Calvert coat of arms) is located toward the upper part of the stone shaft on one side, with "Maryland" incised in uppercase lettering below the seal. The missing Virginia markers similarly bore a seal of Virginia. On the opposing side of the existing stones, at the upper part of the shaft, is a carved cartouche which features a bas relief depicting George Washington standing upon a pedestal, with Lady Justice on the ground next to the pedestal, holding a laurel wreath. The president is flanked in the background by the dome of the Capitol building and a rising sun. In the foreground, an eagle is perched upon a garland emanating from a central laurel wreath. "District of Columbia" is incised in uppercase lettering below the cartouche.

The Garden Club of America initially conceived of beautifying the city's entryways by simply landscaping certain approaches into the city. However, as the project focus turned to stone markers, the planting scheme became a secondary element.' The description of the Key Bridge markers in the Evening Star states that "a planting of shrubs and ivy ground cover ... will be protected by a temporary wire cover until it is well started," and press coverage of the dedication of the Chevy Chase markers similarly notes that the markers "are surrounded by plantings and shrubbery." The fragility of even these simple plantings was of immediate concern to those in charge. A letter dated May 29, 1933, from Colonel Grant to Charles Moore provides fair warning:

"[Y]ou are advised that the ivy planting will be completed and will be cared for to the best of our ability. These plots, however, are so located that it may be difficult to keep them looking well. They are especially exposed to the sun and further, as you no doubt know, there is no
water available in the immediate vicinity for sprinkling. However, an effort will be made to keep them going. (12)

Another letter two years later, from Moore to Colonel Grant, illustrates that the maintenance problem of the plantings persisted. Moore notes that since the markers at the Virginia end of the Highway Bridge are located in "no man's land" and are thus not being cared for, the "ladies do not wish to order the replanting of them until they could be assured that care will be given to them." (13)"

In addition to the plantings, the markers themselves soon proved to be vulnerable. A 1941 note in the Garden Club minutes observes that "crown stones at entrance to District of Columbia" had been lost because of road widening. By 1977, When the two Wisconsin Avenue stones were "discovered" by contractors working on the Metro construction at Friendship Heights, the Garden Club of America markers had been all but forgotten. Alerted by the contractor, the GCA suggested that the markers should be donated to the National Arboretum, but they were reinstalled, directly in the concrete and brick sidewalks at the intersection with Western Avenue. The stone at the northwest corner has been repeatedly hit by motorists and stands today only three feet high; it has been temporarily removed and will be installed again nearby when construction in the area is complete. (14)

Today, 75 years after the erection of the first entrance markers, seven remain in various states of preservation at four different entry points into the city: two at Westmoreland Circle, two at Wisconsin and Western avenues, two at Chevy Chase Circle, and one on Georgia Avenue at Alaska and Kalmia. Though not well known, the markers are important as surviving objects associated with the George Washington Bicentennial Celebration and as landscape objects marking the state lines at notable entrance points into the District of Columbia. The ornamentation of the stone markers is emblematic of the efforts of the ear to arouse nationalistic sympathies and is an excellent artistic expression of the time. In recognition of their import, the District of Columbia recently designated the surviving seven markers as historic landmarks in its inventory of Historic Sites. The markers have also been listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

End Notes

1. Tentative Programs of Major Events Arranged by the United States George Washington Bicentennial Commission and by the District of Columbia George Washington Bicentennial Commission in Observance of The Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of George Washington (Washington: GPO, 1932).

2. "Capital Gateway Plans Considered by Commission," Evening Star, [n.d.] 1929, clippings file, Records of the Office of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital, Record Group 42, National Archives; "District Portal Plans Approved: 16th Street Parkway Approach is O.K.'d by Planning Commission," Evening Star, June 22, 1929, A 3; "Proposed Capital North Portal is Before Planners," Evening Star, July 26, 1929, 17; "Wisconsin Avenue Entrance to City to be Considered," Evening Star, Oct. 19, 1929, 12.

3. "Favor 2 Column Portals Design: Park and Planning Board Members Delay Final
Action on Entrances," Evening Star, Dec. 19, 1930, A 2; Mrs. William A. Lockwood, Garden Club of America, to Mrs. Frank B. Noyes, Oct. 10, 1932, reprinted in Commission of Fine Arts Minutes, Oct. 16, 1930.

4. Minutes, Jan. 6, 1931, Commission of Fine Arts.

5. Charles Moore to Col. U.S. Grant, Jan. 7, 1931, CFA; Minutes, Feb. 12, 1931, CFA; "D.C. Memorial and Entry Pylons Will be Hastened: Garden Club Meeting Discusses New Markers," Evening Star, Mar. 7, 1931,A 16.

6. Minutes, Apr. 15, 1931, CFA; Grant to Moore, Apr. 25, 1931, CFA.

7. Mrs. Fairfax Harrison to Moore, May 8, 1931, CFA; Garden Club of America, "Relevant Excerpts from Executive Committee Meeting Minutes and Board of Directors Meeting Minutes [Jan. 20, 1931 Apr. 13, 1977]," research report on materials about the GCA markers in the GCA archives, conducted in 1999 for Alicia Ravenel as part of her research on the Chevy Chase Circle markers, copy in author's possession.

8. Evening Star, Apr. 24, 1932, B 1.

9. "Notables Attend Francis Newlands Fount Dedication," Evening Star, Oct. 13, 1933, B 1; between Apr. 24, 1932, and this date, no newspaper articles could be found concerning the erection of other entry markers; Westmoreland Circle itself was opened in Nov. 1932: "Opening of Circle Gateway to Hills," Washington Post, Nov. 20, 1932, R2, and in June 1935 the CFA received a letter regarding the markers in the circle.

10. Although 16th Street is consistently listed as having had markers installed, no. remnant of these markers survives; "Fund to Aid. Clubs Beautify Portals Pledged by A.A.A.," Evening Star, May 4, 1927.

11. "Draft of Report re: Arboretum and Other DC Gardens/Parks written by Peggy Nalls' great aunt Martha (Mrs. T. H. B.) McKnight for Mrs. Gilbert Hitchcock, Incoming Chair of GCA National Capital Committee," 1942, in GCA "Relevant Excerpts."

12. Evening Star, Apr. 24, 1932, B 1; "Notables Attend," Evening Star, Oct. 13, 1933; Grant to Moore, May 29, 1933, RG 42, NA.

13. Moore to Grant, May 18, 1935, RG 42, NA.

14. GCA Executive Committee minutes, Apr. 13, 1977, in GCA "Relevant Excerpts."