Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1953-01-29

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A large memorial park, appropri-
ately named Parklawn, with provi-
sion for perpetual maintenance, has
been opened in Montgomery Coun-
ty. The beautiful burial estate oc-
cupies the center "a acres of 400
acre tract adjoining Rockville Pike
on the west, Viers Mill Road on
the east, Randolph Road on the
South and Halpine Road on the
north, formerly known as the Will
kins estate. The rolling hills, fine
shrubs, vista landscaping and well
kept ground of the entire 400 acre
estate are being maintained intact,
improved with added landscaping.
The stone manor house, now
known as The Parklawn Mansion,
has been redecorated and furnished,
and will be maintained as a COM
munity gathering place for Mont
gomery County organizations. The
facilities of The Mansion will be
placed at the disposal of civic, fra
ternal, church, social and other
groups for meetings and other
gatherings. The two main meet
ing rooms provide seating accom-
modations for approximately 200
persons.
Another large stone building near
The Mansion also has been remodel
ed, decorated and furnished as The
Administration Building,
Miles of existing smooth maca-
dam roadways have been repaired,
reconstructed and extended so that
one may motor leisurely through
out the grounds.
In order that the uninterrupted
landscape may be preserved, sculp-
tured bronze tables laid flush with
the lawn will be the only form of
memorial.
George j. Moss, founder of Park
lawn and president of North Wash
ipgton Cemetery, Inc, developer of
the property, has had thirty years
CT construction experience in the
development of outstanding COM
munities in Montgomery County,
including the Woodmoor and
Springbrook sections in the Silver
Spring area. He plans to take full
advantage of Parklawn's cultivated
natural beauty to create memorial
park which he believes will become
as beautiful as any in the country.
John B. Robson, vice president
and director of public relations, UNI
der whose guidance the Parklawn
organization was developed, will
supervise community service fea-
lures of Parklawn and direct SER
vices rendered the public by its
large staff of counsellors.
Mr.. Robeson's background of ex-
perience includes years of affilia-
ton with Fort Lincoln Cemetery,
where, with the exception of his
period Of service with the United
States Navy, he was employed from
1888 until recently, when he re-
signed as director of sales to be-
come affiliated with Parklawn. Re
cognized as one of the nations lead
ing cemetery executives, he recent
ly was selected by the National
Cemetery Association to head the
important sales managers division
of that organization at its annual
convention in Dallas, Texas, next
October.
James c. Valance, Parklawn's
superintendent, was selected as hav-
ing the best background of train
ing and experience for the eXecu-
tion of landscaping plans, mainten-
ance of grounds, drainage, and SUI
pervision of the general develop
ment program. He is a graduate
of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew,
London, and has had over thirty
years of horticultural experience,
including two years as supervisor
Of grounds and greenhouses for the
State of Connecticut, during which
he directed the planting at num-
Der of noted estates. He served
for seven years as superintendent
of George Washington Memorial
Park in Paramus, New Jersey, n
large park adjacent to New York
City, which position he resigned
TO accept the assignment in Park.
lawns permanent organization.
The landscape architect, Carlisle
c. Butter, prominent in National
Cemetery Association activities. has
designed many Of the country's
leading memorial parks, and is re-
tanned as consultant by several Of
the largest.
Page f. Hopkins, Of the engine
ering firm of Maddox and Hopkins,