George Mason’s Gunston Hall Riverside Garden

Mason Neck, Virginia

Gunston Hall is the plantation of George Mason, IV, the author of the 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights. The focus of the interpretation of the mansion and landscape is on 1792, the year of George Mason’s death.

The overall design concept for the riverside garden was the reestablishment, to the greatest extent feasible, of George Mason, IV’s enclosed riverside garden through a combined approach of restoration and reconstruction.

This project included the design of an enclosed combined pleasure and kitchen garden and the restoration of terraces based on the findings of an extensive landscape archaeology program, historical research, and in-depth landscape analysis. The garden, critical to supporting enhanced interpretive and educational programs, is enclosed by wood fencing and gates and includes restored gravel walks, flower beds edged by boxwood, and four quadrant beds of vegetables, herbs, fruit trees, and demonstration hotbeds.

While with RMLA, Rob McGinnis served as the lead designer for the riverside garden project that was administered by Glavé & Holmes Architecture. Construction is scheduled for completion in May 2020.

Image Credits: Glavé & Holmes Architecture