Pierce-Klingle Mansion
a.k.a. Linnaean Hill
3545 Williamsburg Lane, NW, Washington, DCLinnaean Hill, built in 1823, by Joshua Pierce was named in honor of the Swedish botanist Karl Van Linnaeus, because the area was so conducive to the raising and growing of shrubs and flowers. The Pierces were extremely interested in horticulture and shortly after establishing their home at Linnaean Hill, developed it into one of the most beautiful garden spots in the city.
Joshua Pierce also introduced box gardens to Washington. He supplied the first ornamental plantings for the White House, the Capitol, and other government buildings and parks. Pierce also maintained the first general nursery in Washington.
Linnaean Hill also became a gathering place for some of Washington's society, notably Daniel Webster, John C. Calhoun, and Henry Clay.
Joshua Pierce died childlessly and left his estate to a nephew, Joshua Pierce Klingle, who occupied the house with his wife until 1890 when the mansion and grounds were purchased by the U.S. government as a part of Rock Creek Park. In 1937, through PWA funds the house and grounds were restored and leased as a private residence until 1952. From 1956 to 1959, the Junior Nature Center leased Klingle Mansion and, in 1959, it was leased to the Junior League of Washington for its administrative offices. In 1972, the Pierce-Klingle Mansion was again taken over by the National Park Service for use in the green scene programs.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.