photo by Black Georgetown
Thanks to Peter for sharing: “the reason for the continued P St NW to Calvert NW closure hasn’t been publicized nearly widely enough, and trail users are continuing to ignore the closure signs. If folks realized the reason for the closure I doubt they would continue.” (more…)
Found this beauty in my yard – dirty but in perfect shape! Apparently it’s from the 1930s/40s. Based on the number of listings for sale they don’t seem too rare but I can’t seem to find much about the dairy where they came from. Still a pretty cool book end. (more…)
“3rd and T NE, but it covered quite a few acres.”
“Dear PoPville,
Most of these photos are from the early 1900s, certainly pre-WWI. The little book I have dates from about 1910, so I think the school opened around 1905 and closed just before WWI. My g-grandfather, the Rev. Flournoy Menefee, purchased the mansion (which I believe was a hotel at the time) and converted it to the Washington College for Ladies (see ad).
He had previously been the president of a woman’s college in Liberty, Missouri. My grandmother and her siblings grew up in the manor with chefs, servants, gardeners, and other employees. (more…)
via NASS
Wowza, thanks to Scott for sending: “Thought you might be interested in this ‘Color remastered video of 1940s Pennsylvania Ave. from the Capitol to White House’. (more…)
1628 15th Street, NW
Obviously whoever buys this (it’s going for $1,825,000) will likely be doing a massive renovation, understandably. Hopefully they are able to preserve much/some of the exterior (and interior I imagine) awesomeness . The brickwork, the windows, the stairs, the details are incredibly. I’m not holding my breath but hoping for a miracle. Behold some of the awesome: (more…)
From the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton:
“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that the District of Columbia will score a historic victory for equality with the states on February 28, 2022, when D.C.’s second statue in the U.S. Capitol will be unveiled in a ceremony with congressional leaders. D.C. will join each of the 50 states in having two statues in the Capitol. The statue is of Pierre L’Enfant, which D.C. commissioned more than a decade ago with the hope that it would one day be displayed in the Capitol. (more…)
“Corner of 3rd & D St NE from the Library of Congress collection.”
Thanks to John for sending this awesome bit of history: “Junction Bakery & Buffalo-Bergen share the ground floor(s) of the gingerbread house site now. (more…)
Ed. Note: yesterday we posted about another memorial event to be held on Saturday.
From a press release:
“One hundred years ago, on January 28, 1922, the worst peacetime single-day loss of life in the history of the District of Columbia occurred when the roof of the Knickerbocker Theatre collapsed under the weight of a record 28 inches of snow, killing 98 people.
A century later, on January 28, 2022, we will commemorate the disaster and remember the victims.
The Commemoration
When: Friday January 28, 2022 at 6PM
Where: The public plaza at 1801 Adams Mill Road, NW (near the bulletin board kiosk so we can look to the opposite corner where the Knickerbocker once stood)
What: The history of the theater and the snowstorm will be outlined. In a powerful gesture, for the first time in perhaps a century, the names of the tragedy’s 98 victims will be read aloud, and their stories will be discussed. Hand-held candles will be available to light and remember the victims.
On the night of the 28th, the feature film was a comedy, “Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford.” Among the 300 individuals in attendance was the Washington Post’s drama columnist, John Jay Daly. Transformed into a breaking-news reporter, his breathless 5,000-word description of the day’s events captured every bit of the disaster’s tragedy and emotion.
“With a roar, mighty as the crack of doom, the massive roof of the Knickerbocker broke loose from its steel moorings and crashed down upon the heads of those in the balcony. Under the weight of the fallen roof, the balcony gave way. Most of the audience was entombed. It was as sudden as the turning off of an electric light.”
“If possible, it was worse than hell. […] Prayers ascended from the lips of sordid sinners. Brave hearts railed at their own helplessness of the power stripped from them to do even one act of mercy. Weak men suddenly turned into giants, hoping to lift the rafters of a fallen temple of mirth and free the stricken beneath.“
Thanks to Nancy for sending “photographs taken after the disaster at 18th & Columbia by neighborhood news photographer at the time Hugh Miller”
From a press release:
“Neighbors for the Knickerbocker Memorial in Adams Morgan Commemorate Lives Lost and Changed Forever 100 Years Ago by Collapse of the Knickerbocker Theatre Under 28′ of Snow
98 Lives Lost, 130 Injured, in the Most Deadly Single Incident in DC History.
Neighbors for the Knickerbocker Memorial in Adams Morgan will commemorate lives lost and changed forever 100 years ago by collapse of the Knickerbocker Theatre roof under 28 feet of snow. At the public gathering a sculpture will be dedicated by local artist Cesar Maxit to the 98 people who died, 133 injured and to first responders to what remains the deadliest single incident in DC’s history. (more…)
Friends of the White Whale Society is brought to you by the team behind Last Christmas Tree in Town. You can email your sightings to [email protected]
Thanks to Carmen for sending from the National Sculpture Garden “after a nice afternoon of ice skating”
And thanks to Puck Buddys for passing on this awesome bit of White Whale history: (more…)