On April 23, 1923, Mary Muhlenberg Emery turned the first spadeful of earth to begin the construction of her visionary new town – a town which would provide clean, comfortable, and quality housing for those of modest means as well as available lots for purchase for private single-family homes.  

With the aid of her expert business advisor and confidante, Charles Livingood, and the exceptional talents of renowned  town planner and landscape architect, John Nolen, her vision became a reality.  It was immediately lauded as a “National Exemplar” in town planning and remains such today with the added status of a National Historic Landmark.