Evening star., 1934-03-01
BOTANIC GARDENS
ORIGIN DESCRIBED
Proposed Transfer of Juris-
diction Recalls Develop
ment of Institution.

utStIS VI
Development of the old site of tn,
Botanic Gardens into Union Square
and the proposed transfer of the new
Botanic Gardens from jurisdiction o.
the Joint Committee on the Lbrar,
Of Congress to the Department Of Ag-
riculture recall the origin and de.
velopment Of this old institution
which has been IN existence for more
than a century.
Plants have been moved to the new
Botanic Garden site and are being
arranged to be ready for display tt
the public. The new conservatory
completed, has not yet been officially
turned over to the Botanic Gardens
by the architect of the Capitol, David
Lynn, who supervised construction.
Meantime, the movement to transfer
the Botanic Gardens to the Depart
ment of Agriculture has proceeded
through hearings at which proponents
Of the pending legislation to accom-
plish the transfer have been heard
The committee has announced it will
hear opponents Of the measure
shortly.
Plans Being Drawn.
Plans are under way for develop
ment of the old garden site into what
will be Union Square. Contract has
been let to Frederick Law Olmstead
noted landscape architect. to draw
plans for proper development of the
old area which lies at the foot OF
Capitol Hill and the eastern end of
the Mall, bounded by Pennsylvania
and Maryland avenues, First and
Third streets.
In this area now still stand dis
mantled old buildings Of the former
Botanic Gardens and two monuments,
designed for permanent places in new
Union Square. The memorials are to
Gen. Grant and Gen. Meade. The
old Botanic Gardens buildings will be
torn down to make way for new Union
Square.
Under the old gardens site flows
the water Of former Tber Creek, now
confined by an underground conduit
AT low water, it is said. a boat NAV
be foated through it. The site was
once low. marshy area, called by
some authorities a "stagnant and
malarial swamp" until Congress ap-
propriated for improvements. There
Is q tradition that George Washing
ton contemplated the establishment
OF gardens in this locality.
Dates Rack to 1920.
The establishment of botanic
garden was the subject of correspond
ence between Washington and Dis
trict of Columbia officials. It was in
1920, after years of discussion. that
the Columbian Institute for Promo
ton Of Arts and Sciences obtained
passage of a bill in Congress. which
became a law on May 8, providing
that a tract of land. not exceeding
hve acres, be used for a botanical
garden.
The first site chosen by the Colum-
bian Institute was between Seventh
and Ninth streets, F. and G streets.
where the old Patent Office Building
now stands.
Almost Immediately after selection
OF the first site, however. the site
was changed to grounds Just west Of
the Capitol, and in 1924 the garden
was enlarged, on petition to Congress-
TO comprise practically the area oc-
cupied until its latest move to the
new location south of Maryland ave-
nue.. This old original site was q
oesoiate region IN those days It was
low and swampy and traversed by old
Tloer Creek, which often overlowed
30 that the question OF proper drain
age was serious problem
Many Reverses.
For many years. under the super-
vision OF the Columbian Institute, the
cultivation and development of this
lano into semblance of a garden went
slowly along with many reverses. most
OF them being due to lack of funds
AT That time there was no money tn
employ any one regularly on the place
ana occasionally the gardener at the
capitol grounds rendered some as
ISSUANCE. In this more or less han
hazard way the Botanic Gardens ex-
lteo until about 1887, when the in
stitute abandoned the project, and
apparently nothing much was done
with 1t for about IL years.
Inc real beginning, however. of the
botanlc Garden dates from the
wilkes Exploring Expedition of 183a-
1892 In the naval appropriation act
OF May IA. 1896, the President was
sutnorlzed to send out a surveying
ana exploring expedition to the Pa.
clfic and South Seas. This expedition
consisted Of six Government ships.
unoer Lieut.. Charles Wilkes, u. S. N.
Ihey sailed August 1S, 1888. The STAFF
included a botaniSt, w. D. Brecken-
ridge. who brought back a large COL
lection of specimens. including seeds
and cuttings. This formed the
nucleus Of the botanical collection.
Greenhouse Constructed.
For time these exhibits were de-
posted in the Patent Office in charge
o. Wilkes and Breckenridge. This ar
fangement was not satisfactory and
III l842 1t became necessary to con-
struct a small greenhouse to house
these plants and later another one was
built and completed by January. 1874.
These were erected back of the Patent
Office Building.
In 1849 plans for the extension of
the Patent Office and the fact that
there was no room for outdoor plant
ing resulted in the removal of these
greenhouses to the real Botanic
Garden site. This was accomplished
IN 1850. and it was at that time that
the management Of the Botanic Gar
den was assigned to the Joint Library
Committee of Congress. and the office
OF superintendent created. This title
later was changed to that of director.
Mr.. Breckenridge was the first super
1ntendent. He was put in charge of
the South Sea collection that he had
helped to gather and which had been
In his care since arrival in Washington
Second Superintendent.