WALK WITH ME ~

WALK WITH ME ~ walking again, still in our own neighborhood though just one block in the opposite direction to Mount Vernon Square.  Here we see The Washington Monument (no, not the one in our Nation's Capital) and the lovely park over which it stands tall.  An historic cathedral, flowers blooming in hanging baskets and large pots on every corner.  A pair of sheltering parks off the cobblestone circle surrounding the monument.  Landmarks and history at every turn.

The main feature of this small tiered park [left] is it's focus toward The Washington Monument [right].  Yes, the one in Washington, DC may be better known, however Baltimore's predated it.  The monument on the National Mall was built between 1848 and 1884.  Baltimore's monument to the Founding Father had it's cornerstone laid in 1815 with construction completed in 1829.  On a side note: in the photo on the left, the tall, high-rise building in the background?  The top floor is a community room, and the floor below is where JUNE lives and I keep her company.  Meow!

The Mount Vernon United Methodist Church looks onto the cobblestone traffic circle.  It's an extraordinary Victorian Gothic cathedral built in 1872.  On the right, one of many entrances to the Friedberg Concert Hall.  The hall is part of the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University.  A premiere place of study for preparatory and higher education in the disciplines of music and considered one of the finest in the world.  The institute encompasses the entire block, performances in the concert hall bring renowned artists from around the world.

Grand homes, grand entrances. Magnificent 19th century homes surround the circle and parks.  Today they most often house businesses or non-profit groups. The Garrett-Jacobs Mansion [left].  Owners Robert and Mary Garrett actually owned three large row houses of gilded age architecture [1853], brought together as a single home which then underwent a renovation lasting thirty-two years.  Robert, then president of the B&O Railroad, along with Mary, chose the finest designers, decorators and artisans of the periods and traveled the world to collect furnishings and art to fill the home.  Paintings included works by Rubens, Botticelli and Rembrandt.  Robert died in 1896 and Mary later married his longtime physician, Dr. Jacobs.  At Mary's death in 1915, the priceless art was bequeathed to the Baltimore Museum of Art.

Murnaghan House [right], built in 1849 was home to William T. Walters and later to his son, Henry Walters.  Both successful businessmen in Baltimore, both avid art collectors.  Their home and the famed museum and gallery on Charles and Centre Street, along with their collection of more than 22,000 works of art was gifted to the people of Baltimore.

Hackerman House [left], an impressive Greek revival home built in 1848 was gifted to the city of Baltimore in 1984.  It was conveyed to the Walters Art Museum the following year.  Walters Art Museum [right].  The original entrance on N. Charles Street.  A new entrance was completed around the corner in 2001 to provide handicap access and improved security.  The Walters Art Museum was established in 1934 and is noted as a free museum.  It now comprises five historic buildings in Mount Vernon Square. 

Come Walk With Me again, another time.