Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
mote a sense of egalitarianism and democratic solidarity, as the various
classes of society interacted in safe, soothing, and suitably refined public
environments. By combining Enlightenment rationality with romantic sen-
timentality, promoting a domesticated hybrid of aesthetic nature, demo-
cratic idealism, and Jeffersonian agrarianism, and inculcating a shared value
system rooted in genteel notions of taste and decorum, public gardens
might help mediate the threats posed by Jacksonian mobocracy and the dis-
concerting growth of commerce, manufacturing, and urban culture.
19
The first major addition to the Mall to reflect this view of urban nature
was the botanical garden. Botanical gardening, experimentation, and col-
lecting had long been regarded as gentlemanly pursuits. Both Washington
and Jefferson engaged in horticultural research and Washington had advo-
cated that a portion of the Mall be set aside for a botanical garden as early
as 1796. Additional proposals ensued over the next 20 years. In 1820 Con-
gress finally authorized the creation of a five-acre garden at the base of
Capitol Hill. Minor improvements were made over the next few years
including the laying out of graveled walks and the installation of floral bor-
ders. A major addition to the Botanical Garden was the construction of a
greenhouse in 1842 to house exotic plant specimens collected by Charles
Wilkes's federally sponsored South Seas expedition.
20
Individual Washingtonians also transformed their surroundings for the
sake of horticultural experimentation and botanical display. One of the
most prominent of these gentleman gardeners was Joshua Peirce, who prop-
agated a wide variety of ornamental trees, shrubs, and plants at his country
place in what is now Rock Creek Park.This estate, known as Linnaean Hill
in honor of the inventor of the modern system of biological nomenclature,
exemplified the confluence of scientific, commercial, and aesthetic impulses
that characterized contemporary attitudes toward nature. The attractive
grounds drew visitors from far and wide, while Peirce's nursery business
supplied a wide range of plants that were used to embellish home grounds
and public spaces in Washington and surrounding cities. Peirce's experi-
ments with camellias played an important role in the plant's transition to
American soil.
21
The first major plan for transforming the Mall was produced by archi-
tect Robert Mills in 1841. Mills addressed the problem at various scales. His
most conservative scheme called for a combination arboretum/pleasure
garden laid out with curvilinear walks, irregularly shaped plantings, and a
pair of fountains. This modest garden was limited in extent to the area in
