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Washington Monument and Mount Vernon neighborhood in the snow

Our Neighborhood

The Mount Vernon-Belvedere Association (MVBA) represents the two primary neighborhoods of Mount Vernon and Midtown-Belvedere. In 2019, the Association expanded its boundaries to advocate for the broader community, including adjacent areas that previously had little or no representation at the city and state levels. The updated boundary also simplified areas where earlier lines were unclear or inconsistent, creating a more cohesive and representative footprint.​

Our Boundaries

The Association’s jurisdiction is defined as follows:

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  • Eastern and Northern boundary: Follows the centerline of the Jones Falls Expressway (I-83) to its intersection with Howard Street.

  • Western boundary: Begins at the intersection of I-83 and Howard Street, continues south on Howard Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, then southwest along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to Druid Hill Avenue. From there, it continues southeast on Druid Hill Avenue to Eutaw Street, and south on Eutaw Street to Saratoga Street.

  • Southern boundary: Runs east along Saratoga Street from Eutaw Street to the Jones Falls Expressway.

  • With the exception of the Jones Falls Expressway, the Association’s boundaries include properties on both sides of each named street.

Map of the MVBA neighborhood boundaries.

Click to view a PDF version of the map.

Districts & Parks

Mount Vernon is the historic heart of Baltimore and home to the Baltimore Washington Monument, the first memorial erected to honor our nation’s first President. The neighborhood consists of different districts, each with distinctive qualities, which help create Mount Vernon’s uniqueness.

Districts

  • Historic Districts: Mount Vernon is one of 84 local historic districts in Baltimore and also includes a federal historic district around Mount Vernon Place and the Baltimore Washington Monument. The Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) works with MVBA to review changes and help preserve the neighborhood’s historic buildings, protecting and celebrating its rich history.

  • Charles Street: Charles Street, one of the oldest thoroughfares in America, has roots that predate Baltimore itself. Before Europeans settled around the Chesapeake Bay, it is speculated that a Susquehannock Indian trail ran along what is now part of Charles Street. It is now a vibrant commercial strip home to shopping, restaurants, and other businesses.

  • Mount Vernon Place: Housing the Baltimore Washington Monument, Mount Vernon Place is a National Historic Landmark and the neighborhood’s centerpiece. Composed of four rectangular, block-long garden-parks lined with houses and institutions, it is one of the first (and finest) examples in the United States of city planning used to create a dramatic setting for an existing monument. Events in Mount Vernon Place are organized by the Mount Vernon Place Conservancy.

  • Cathedral Hill: A mixed-use historic district of churches, institutions, and commercial buildings reflecting Baltimore’s 19th- and early 20th-century growth.

  • Hamilton Street: An iconic block of early 19th-century townhouses, long associated with writers, artists, and designers.

  • Read Street: Home to small businesses and historic residences, linking Mount Vernon’s quieter blocks to the city’s commercial corridors.

  • Tyson Street: A quiet and quaint alley street most significantly known as one of the earliest restoration areas in the City.

Parks

  • Fallsway Monument Park: A small community memorial park at the intersection of Guildford and Biddle.

  • Howard's Park Dog Park: A large, fully-equipped dog park at Howard & Centre Streets with separate areas for large and small dogs.

  • Mount Vernon Children's Park: The neighborhood’s first family-focused park, created through a community-led effort and opened in 2006. The Children’s Park is located at the corner of Calvert & Madison Streets and is open 7 days a week from 9am-8pm (locked every evening).

  • Pearlstone Park: A small landscaped park serving Symphony Hall and surrounding residences.

  • Preston Gardens: Named after Baltimore Mayor James H. Preston, Preston Gardens is a recently renovated park located on St. Paul Place between Centre and Lexington Streets. The park beholds a lovely green space and was designed by the architectural firm of Carrere & Hastings.

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