“Norton Meets with National Park Service and Architect of the Capitol About Capitol Stones in Rock Creek Park”

photo by Fritz Myer

From the Office of Eleanor Holmes Norton:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today met with the National Park Service (NPS) and the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) about the Capitol stones in Rock Creek Park. NPS, which controls Rock Creek Park, recently requested the removal of the stones. AOC intends to store them in a facility at Ft. Meade.

In the meeting, Norton asked why the stones need to be removed from Rock Creek Park and if they could remain. NPS explained that, while there have been no reported accidents on the stones, people climb on the stones and there is no way to impose the same safety rules as those at playgrounds.

NPS noted that vegetation has grown over the stones, which makes them harder to preserve or use for future construction. NPS and AOC committed to devising a plan to keep at least two or three of the stones in Rock Creek Park and to install signage there detailing the history and significance of the stones.

“While I prefer that all the Capitol stones remain in Rock Creek Park, I am pleased that NPS and AOC committed to working to keep some of the stones in Rock Creek Park,” Norton said. “The stones have long been an off-the-beaten-path landmark in the District of Columbia, interesting to D.C. residents and tourists. The stones have been in Rock Creek Park for almost 50 years while causing no harm and are well-made to withstand the weather and climbing. Access to historical artifacts can only be beneficial for visitors to Rock Creek Park and the District. I look forward to hearing more about the plan to keep some of the stones in Rock Creek Park and to create signage to educate more D.C. residents and tourists about the rich history of these stones.”