Back in the Day, Hemp grown in DC, Petworth

Photo by PoPville Flickr user Mr. T in DC

“Dear PoP,

After reading yesterday’s article in the post about hemp being grown in DC:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/12/AR2010051204933.html

I came across the official press release and it states that hemp was grown in Petworth too:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/newly-discovered-diaries-of-usda-botanist-lyster-dewey-highlight-the-history-of-hemp-cultivation-in-washington-dc-area-93658099.html”

The last article says:

On Monday, May 17, 2010 at 7:30pm, the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) will display the diaries of USDA Chief Botanist Lyster Dewey in public for the first time at Capitol Hemp Clothing and Accessories, located at 1802 Adams Mill Road, NW. The diaries and personal photos of the USDA’s top expert on fiber production for more than 40 years reveal a treasure trove of information on hemp farming research by the US Government from the 1890’s to the 1940’s. Excerpts of the newly discovered diaries will be read aloud at the event and members of the media are encouraged to attend.

The five volume set of sixty-two diaries begins in 1879 and spans until Dewey’s death in 1944. Recovered at a garage sale and then resold to the HIA, there are two photo albums, one of which includes a picture of Dewey himself measuring a 20 foot high hemp plant grown at Arlington Farms, the current location of the Pentagon. The diaries also contain evidence of Dewey growing Hemp in the District of Columbia in his own backyard in the Petworth neighborhood.