New Conservatory is Rising Steadily The original <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/29">botanic gardens</a> in Washington were built in line with the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/59">Capitol building</a>, where the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/25">Capitol Reflecting Pool</a> is today. The new design proposed for the Mall in the early 1900s called for an open green space from the Capitol to the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/36">Washington Monument</a>, sparking a debate over the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/383">relocation of the Botanic Gardens</a>. The final decision was to shift the institution to Independence Ave, then Canal Street. The new buildings described in this article were state-of-the art for the time, fit for the National Botanic Gardens. <em>The Washington Post</em>. 1/26/1932 <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=38&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1920-1949">1920-1949</a>