Mt Vernon

A National Register Historic District, Mount Vernon encompasses the best of what city living has to offer. This lively neighborhood not only serves as the cultural center of Baltimore but as the home to a diverse group of residents and businesses. College students who walk to class and professionals who work here, downtown, or as far away as Washington and New York are just some of the people who take advantage of Mt. Vernon's convenient location. Singles and empty nesters who seek to avoid the monotony of the suburbs, enjoy a wide array of art, entertainment, and services just steps from their front door. Living spaces include single family Victorian row homes, carriage houses, condominiums, apartments in row homes, and several high-rises.

Following is a summary of what is available within the Mount Vernon's boundaries and

• The Washington Monument and Museum
• Mount Vernon Place and Washington Place:
• Theaters and concert halls: Live performances at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Lyric Opera House, the Peabody Institute, Center Stage, Theatre Project, Everyman Theatre, Spotlighters Theatre. Foreign and independent films at the Charles Theatre.
• Museums and galleries: The Walters Art Museum, the Maryland Historical Society, Maryland Institute College of Art, Mount Vernon Museum of Incandescent Lighting, the Meredith Gallery.
• Antique Row: 5 blocks, over 15 antique stores. Shop till you ... on North Howard Street.
• Medical Facilities: Maryland General Hospital along with a multitude of private practices are within the neighborhood boundaries. Mercy Hospital is minutes downtown.
• Pennsylvania Station: Access to Amtrak, Marc, and the Light Rail systems here makes Mount Vernon a convenient place for commuters and frequent travelers to live. Amtrak's introduction of High Speed Rail in fall 1999 will reduce travel time to D.C. to 25 min. and to New York to 2hrs. 10 min. Discount passes available from MARC rail, Amtrak and MTA to most destinations.

Mt. Vernon acquired its land and name during the 19th century when John Eager Howard and his heirs donated the highest point in Baltimore to become the site for the first memorial to George Washington. The site of the Washington Monument in Mt. Vernon Square is generally regarded as one of the most beautiful urban sites in the world.

In addition to serving as home to wealthy Baltimoreans, Mt. Vernon was chosen as the site for major cultural institutions. The legacies of influential people such as George Peabody, Henry and William Walters, and Enoch Pratt continue on as the Peabody Conservatory, the Walters Art Gallery, and the Enoch Pratt Free Library.

Most of the original Mt. Vernon buildings remain today, but their functions have changed. For example, the home of Henry and William Walters at 5 W. Mt. Vernon Place now serves as offices for the Walters Art Gallery; the Garret-Jacobs Mansion is now the Engineering Society; and the Jencks-Gladding house now the houses the Asian art for the Walters Art Gallery. The rejuvenation of the many historic and architecturally significant buildings has enabled Mt. Vernon to remain not only a diverse residential neighborhood, but also a cultural center and restaurant district.