Archaeological work in the Upper Garden is designed to assess the paths and flower beds.

George Washington’s love of agriculture extended to his gardens where he passionately designed and experimented, creating the formal “Upper Garden” in 1763. This space, redesigned in 1775, remains the centerpiece of Mount Vernon’s gardens and grounds. Through the years, subsequent generations have utilized, restored and interpreted this space to reflect Washington’s 18th-century flower garden.

In January 2005 Mount Vernon’s archaeologists began a long-term research project exploring the layout and design of the Upper Garden. With the decline of the larger boxwoods in this space, Mount Vernon will need to make some major changes to the garden over the next several years, and we are taking this opportunity to assess the archaeological remains in the garden before these changes occur.

Our initial excavation in January 2005 lasted approximately three months, investigating pathways and planting beds in two areas. While we anticipated finding numerous layers of soil and features which relate the garden’s long history, we did not expect the garden to hold too many artifacts, although we knew from a preliminary survey that fragments of flower pots, window glass and bricks would be found. We were most interested in documenting the alignment of garden beds and paths and combining our discoveries with historical evidence.

Based upon the discoveries in the winter of 2005 we returned to the Upper Garden in June 2006 for an additional four months of excavation.  During this field season we plan to look at three areas, testing a number of new paths and beds, which we think may date to the 18th century.

Over the next several years, based in part on our archaeological excavation, our horticulturalists, landscape historians and gardeners will make adjustments so the garden better reflects the Upper Garden which George Washington designed and nurtured.