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Catalog Data

Former owner:
Little, Louis General USMC  Search this
Thayer, Robert H. Hon.  Search this
Wilmerding, John  Search this
Brown, Carter, Mrs.  Search this
Landscape architect:
Wheeler, Perry H., 1914-1989  Search this
Garden designer:
Garden Gate Landscaping  Search this
Provenance:
Georgetown Garden Club  Search this
Collection Creator:
Garden Club of America  Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Place:
O Street, Georgetown Garden (Washington, D.C.)
United States of America -- District of Columbia -- Washington
Scope and Contents:
The folder includes worksheets, photocopies of articles and other information. See the Perry Wheeler Collection for correspondence with Thayer.
General:
Around the time of the Civil War, this 18th century property was established by the Tenney sisters as a school for young ladies in the main house; and a kindergarten for boys, attended by the son of General Grant, in the outbuilding that is now an artist's studio. A stone channel leads from the southern wall across the lawn to a cistern in the basement to collect rainwater for use in cleaning and laundry. A pump found on the property was used to obtain drinking water from a private well where the rocky waterfall is now located. By the time the current owners took possession in 2001, a terrace and some low walls had been added, connecting the old house architecturally to the garden. Since then the property has been developed by its current owner into a colorful and vibrant space for entertaining and peaceful enjoyment.
The private areas of the property were divided by the current owner into four discrete sections, all lush with plantings and reflecting the originality of the owner, an artist. A fence and gate screen off the first area, a courtyard with converted artist's studio, from the street. Holly, nandina and vinca minor soften the perimeter, and the studio entry is framed by a stand of bear's breeches. Rounding the corner of the house is the koi waterfall garden with a "natural spring," inspired by the old pump, culminating in a fish pool. There is a Fullmoon maple and various woodland perennials such as Dixie wood fern, cinnamon fern, hellebore, sweet box, astilbe and sedum, grow among the rocks, while the studio is fronted by white camellia japonica.
A short flight of brick steps leads to a larger area with a large lotus pond (unusual in Georgetown) with a simple waterfall. A changing palette of blooming plants such as iris and peony, buddleia, Shasta daisies, black-eyed Susans, and phlox that were originally white have now turned pink, surround the pool. A wide trellis breaks up the expanse of brick wall that forms the rear garden boundary. An abutting wall, forming the garden's western boundary, features a trompe l'oeil mirror and trellis that contribute light and depth, in addition to supporting red honeysuckle and morning glory. Through an entry in a low brick wall parallel to the lotus pond is a terrace and the fourth garden area and the only section that predates the current owner. There a hybrid apple tree presents a magnificent espalier against the wall of the house next door. Dusty Miller billows at the base of the apple tree.
Persons associated with the garden include General Louis Little, USMC, (former owner, circa 1930s); the Hon. Robert H. Thayer, Ambassador to Romania (former owner, circa 1950s-1960s); John Wilmerding (former owner, dates unknown); Mrs. Carter Brown, (former owner, 1990-2001); Garden Gate Landscaping (garden designer, 2001); and Perry H. Wheeler (landscape architect, 1964-1966).
Related Materials:
O Street, Georgetown Garden related holdings consist of 2 folders (9 digital images)
See also the Archives of American Gardens, Perry Wheeler Collection.
See others in:
Perry H. Wheeler Collection, ca. 1880-1984.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Topic:
Gardens -- District of Columbia -- Washington  Search this
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Identifier:
AAG.GCA, File DC113
See more items in:
The Garden Club of America collection
The Garden Club of America collection / Series 1: United States Garden Images / District of Columbia
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Gardens
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kb6b88d3184-4123-4a4d-a4d0-5d68d6dfa898
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-aag-gca-ref5939