Navigate to Homepage
Search
Main navigation
  

        
              Explore the Capitol Campus
                          Art
                            Buildings & Grounds
                            Capitol Hill Facts
                            Visitor Resources
                            Our Blog
                            What We Do
                          Areas of Expertise
                            Programs & Ceremonies
                            Projects
                            Publications
                            Strategic Objectives
                            About Us
                          Who We Are
                            History of the AOC
                            News & Notices
                            Organizational Structure
                            Partnerships & Recognition
                            Work With UsSearch Breadcrumb
    HomeAbout UsNews & Notices
War Garden at the Library of Congress
To mark the centennial of America entering the Great War, the Architect of the Capitol recreated a War Garden as it would have been during World War I. These gardens, also referred to as Victory Gardens, were vegetable, fruit and herbs planted at private residences, public parks, school yards, etc.
May 16, 2017
        
                  Image
    An Architect of the Capitol employee holds radishes in front of a War Garden sign.

To mark this year's centennial of America entering the Great War, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) recreated a War Garden as it would have been during World War I. These gardens, also referred to as Victory Gardens, were vegetable, fruit and herb gardens planted at private residences, public parks, school yards and more to increase food supplies without increasing the use of land or labor already dedicated to agricultural work.

The Library Buildings and Grounds team at the AOC adopted materials, planting schedules and methods such as companion planting and succession planting, from period publications. The vegetables are primarily heirloom varieties available to the public in 1917. Follow the progress with #WarGarden100 on Twitter and Instagram, or check out the gardens in person by visiting them at the Southwest, Southeast and Northwest corners of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Memorial Building.

Crops harvested from the AOC War Gardens will be donated to local food banks.
          
    
      Recent Stories
Related Articles
            
          Public Notice

  U.S. Capitol Cherry Blossoms Map

On the U.S. Capitol campus, the AOC Capitol Grounds and Arboretum crew cares for groups of both Yoshino and Japanese flowering cherry trees.
    Public Notice

  Volume 27 of Tholos Magazine Now Available

Highlights include articles featuring the Architect's Citation Award winner, sustainability, summer internships and the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.
    Public Notice

  Six Tips for Sledding Safely on Capitol Hill

This winter, sections of the U.S. Capitol Grounds West Front may be open for community sledding during daylight hours (dawn to dusk).
    Public Notice

  FY 2023 Performance and Accountability Report Available

The Architect of the Capitol's Performance and Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2023 is now available online.
    
                      More News Serve. Preserve. Inspire.

              Contact Us
                            Accountability
                            Hill Staff Resources
                            AOC Staff Resources
Utility
  

        
              Privacy Policy
                            Image Terms of Use
                            Inspector General
                            U.S. Botanic Garden
                            U.S. Capitol Visitor CenterFacebook
	Twitter
	Flickr
	YouTube
	Instagram
	Subscribe