Restoring the Historic Landscape

TUDOR PLACE | Last day open of 2024: Sunday, December 29. Click for info

TUDOR PLACE | Last day open of 2024: Sunday, December 29.

Stewardship of the land

Based on design principles from the 18th century, the garden has been stewarded by generations of the Peter family and the Tudor Place Foundation for over 200 years. To maintain the landscape, the old-growth trees and heritage plants must be protected, garden structures conserved, and long-term ecological management plans initiated.

Aged and fragile, many of the wooden structures in the garden required replacement. Inadequate drainage systems led to erosion, silt runoff, plant deterioration, and danger for visitors. Exterior lighting was insufficient for the myriad of after-hours and evening events offered. Horticultural management and plant propagation are undertaken in makeshift areas onsite rather than purpose-built facilities.

These projects are required to continue our stewardship of this natural oasis in Georgetown, in accordance with the Master Preservation Plan :

Completed

Restored essential garden features like the Kitchen Arbor & Gazebo, Smokehouse, Thistle Terrace, foundations and pools, and fencing.
Restored historic lighting and install discreet new features to ensure the safety of visitors and staff.
Improved water management and sustainability by installing a cistern-based system to reduce runoff and erosion while capturing rainfall for irrigation.
Created new interpretive materials and signage that identify plant materials and the landscape’s historical uses and design.

In Progress

Construct a Greenhouse for propagating historic plant material (for sale as well as replacement) and over-wintering potted plants like the Sago Palms.

Coming Soon

Consolidate pathways to improve accessibility.
Renovations to the Mower House, a service building used to store tools and equipment. This includes expanding the structure to create additional space for equipment and storage for an emergency generator powering systems in the historic house & garage.

Resources

Click below for a quick look at what’s entailed in preservation & conservation of this 5 1/2 acre site.

CULTURAL LANDSCAPE

Completed: Kitchen Arbor & Gazebo

Pathway lighting (here with additional illumination for holiday events)

Completed: South Lawn Cistern Project

Completed: Interpretive signage for enhanced visitor experience

Upcoming: Building a new greenhouse (watercolor rendering by Artist-in-Residence Peter Waddell)

Coming Soon: Consolidating pathways lined with pea gravel

Mower House, Current

Coming Soon: Rendering of Mower House with New Addition

Coming Soon: Mower House with new addition

SLAVERY AT TUDOR PLACE

As an historic site that bears the scars of slavery, Tudor Place seeks to look this injustice in the eye. Click here to learn more.

Advance registration encouraged; suggested donation. Click for info.

1644 31st Street, NW | Washington, DC 20007
202-965-0400 | info@tudorplace.org