George Mason Memorial Rehabilitation

The Trust for the National Mall is pleased to announce that the rehabilitation of the George Mason Memorial will be underway in summer of 2017.  The project will include the reconstruction of the central fountain, perennial plantings throughout the site and a thorough touch-up to the trellis, and a statue wall of quotes. 

Situated at the southern tip of the Tidal Basin, the George Mason Memorial honors the Virginia native and his contributions to the founding of this nation. As the Virginia representative to the United States Constitutional Convention, Mason is best known as the father of the Bill of Rights. He was a dedicated advocate of individual liberties and instrumental in shaping the American legal system as we know it today. 

 

The sites long history as a garden dates back to the late 19th century when it was designed as a Victorian garden. It was later established as one of four national gardens by the McMillian Commission of 1902. A century later, the Memorial commemorating Mason was designed to incorporate this rich history and Mason's love of gardens. 

Dedicated in 2002, the Memorial was designed around the historic fountain and includes a larger-than-life statue of George Mason. Framing the statue is a stone wall engraved with quotations from the "forgotten Father," and a     72 ft. long trellis. 

Since the Memorials completion, the central fountain has become plagued with algal blooms and costly maintenance. In addition, the extensive planting beds have been worn down and can no longer support the elegant plantings that have defined this site for over a century.