Washington Monument & Mount Vernon Place
200 years ago, Baltimoreans envisioned and commenced one of the most beautiful urban spaces in America: Mount Vernon Place.
This centerpiece of a National Historic Landmark has its origins in Baltimoreans' interest in erecting a monument to George Washington, the first President of the United States, and the democratic ideals he represented. A competition was held for the monuments design, which Robert Mills won in early 1814 with an elaborate initial concept. Mills is credited with being the first native-born American to become a professional architect, and would decades later design the Washington monument for the nations capitol.