Grounds and Gardens

Just as Government House has changed with time, the grounds and landscaping surrounding the House have been redesigned over the years. In one of its most recent iterations, landscape architect Jay Graham, inspired by the “butterfly” shaped serpentine brick pathways of Monticello, designed a network of paths adjoining the front walkway and leading around to the rear of the house. There, the small rectangular pool, surrounded by a low boxwood hedge, established during the 1935 renovation, was replaced by a custom designed bronze fountain.

The fountain, inspired by Victorian era fountains, and situated near the remaining original walls of the 1870 house, was also made clearly visible to the public by the removal of the high yew hedge that had grown up against the iron fence around the house. Graham stated his mission was, “to create a garden to be enjoyed by passersby.” The fountain was designed by Graham Landscape Architects in Annapolis and sculptor Lyle Beddes of Historical Arts and Casting helped to create it. The design includes many images that represent Maryland and its bounty, including corn, crabs, tobacco, terrapins and the Baltimore Oriole, the state bird.