Gone but not Forgotten

After the Civil War, Baltimore’s city planners began to restore what we now know as Patterson Park. During the Victorian era it was fashionable to create pastoral landscapes in city parks, complete with fanciful buildings. The young architect, George A. Frederick was hired to create such structures and other architectural features in Patterson Park. Many of these buildings survive today.

Unfortunately, two of the most delightful Victorian buildings have now been lost. An elegant glass Conservatory, built in 1876, which sheltered exotic plants from all over the world, succumbed to decay over the years, and was finally torn down. The beloved octagonal Music Pavilion, the scene of countless concerts and romantic trysts was destroyed by fire in 1972.

The Park’s original Boat Lake was once large enough to include a swimming area with beach, and a rowboat rental concession. Many Baltimoreans used the Boat Lake for ice-skating in winter. Now, there is a pool for swimming, and the Mimi DiPietro Family Ice Rink for indoor skating. The Boat Lake is now restored (2003) as a valuable wildlife habitat, as well as an attractive Park feature for all to enjoy.