Location

3100 Swann Drive (Street View – approximate)

GPS: 39° 19′ 5.40″ N 76° 38′ 43.80″ W

History

The Howard Peter Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens of Baltimore was established in 1888 on the grounds of Druid Hill Park. Today the greenhouse network continues to thrive with plants from all over the world growing inside the contained environment. in 2004, a $4.8-million renovation took place that linked the main building, or Palm House, with some of the newer structures located behind it. Directly to the right of the Conservatory is the John Cook memorial garden and sundial. Cook was a German-born immigrant that arrived in America in 1853. He came from a long line of florists and continued the family tradition in Baltimore, first tending garden for J. Howard McHenry, the grandson of James McHenry, then opening his own store in 1870. As his career progressed, Cook began performing experiments with his roses, searching for new varieties. His hybrid tea, Radiance, became one of the most popular flowers of the early twentieth century. This garden was dedicated in John Cook’s honor.

Notes

Within the boundaries of the garden rests a strange sundial. From a distance it looks like a piece of modern art, but when you get closer you see the multiple time-telling gnomons jutting out from the structure. The timepiece was created in 1890 by a local stonemason named Peter Hamilton under the direction of the Johns Hopkins mathematics department. It tells the time for numerous places on earth from Cape Cod to Tokyo, but was designed before daylight savings time, and is mostly inaccurate now.

Nearby

• Washington at Druid Hill
• Columbus at Druid Hill
• William Wallace Statue
• Eli Siegel Stone
• Wagner Bust
• The Repeal Statue

Links

• On Panoramio & Flickr
• Picture of Radiance Rose

Location

Harford Road & E 32nd Street (Street View)

GPS: 39° 19′ 37.64″ N 76° 35′ 1.89″ W

History

The Board of Park Commissioners dedicated the garden to all the mothers of Baltimore in 1926. Two years later a tablet was fitted to a stone and placed at the site, marking the memorial. Mayor William Donald Schaefer rededicated the garden, in 1984, to his mom Tululu Schaefer. In recent years, the Coldstream Homestead Montebello Community Corporation introduced a plan to improve the facilities of Clifton Park, including Mother’s Garden. Once the summer home of Johns Hopkins, Clifton was the intended site for the hospital bearing his name, but was deemed too far from the city’s core. Instead, the land was turned into a municipal golf course and community park.

Notes

At the northern tip of Clifton Park, the memorial is a strangely peaceful place. A small domed edifice surrounded by benches sits on top of the hill, and a pedestrian bridge crosses a forgotten pond. Situated between Harford Road and the golf course’s 5th hole green, Mother’s Garden is across the street from Montebello Elementary School.

Nearby

• Martin Luther
• On The Trail Statue
• Columbus Obelisk

Links

• On Panoramio & Flickr

Location

W Franklin Street and N Charles Street (Street View)

GPS: 39° 17′ 42.19″ N 76° 36′ 56.38″ W

History

Commemorates Pope John Paul II’s 1995 visit to Charm City. The trip came at the invitation of William Keeler, who was elevated to Cardinal by the pontiff. The sculpture is based on a photo of the Pope arriving in Baltimore, embracing two Baltimore children. The prayer garden is also dedicated to religious freedom and ecumenism. Artist: Joseph Sheppard; garden designed by Scott Rykeil. Once the site of the historic Rochambeau apartments which were demolished to create this contemplative space. Ground-breaking ceremony held April 11, 2008.

Notes

Located in the prayer garden at the north-eastern corner of the Basilica of the Assumption, also known as the Baltimore Basilica. Across the street is the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore, which bears a uniquely beautiful facade of its own. A high-energy location as traffic flows in from the east and south.

Nearby

• James Cardinal Gibbons Memorial
• Washington Monument
• Sea Urchin Statue (Mt. Vernon)
• Lafayette
• George Peabody
• Severn Teackle Wallis
• Roger B Taney
• John Eager Howard (Mt. Vernon)

Links

• An urban ’sanctuary’: Archbishop O’Brien dedicates Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden (includes video)
• Baltimore Remembers Visit By Pope John Paul II
• Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden Groundbreaking press release
• On Panoramio & Flickr