History

Archeological Finds Vol. 57 – mid-1960’s Mustang 289!

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to Adam for sending from 16th Street Heights: “Check out this neighborhood barn find I stumbled upon this afternoon on Allison Street! It’s a decomposing mid-1960’s Mustang 289! I must have walked by this ancient alley garage a zillion times over the years and somehow never noticed it before. Wow, and oy.”

If you have a photo of a neat find from your house, place of work or neighborhood please send an email to [email protected] thanks. Please let me know where/what neighborhood you found it in too. Thanks.

“National Building Museum announces exhibition of World Trade Center photographs by Camilo José Vergara to commemorate 9/11”

By Prince Of Petworth


“View east across the Hudson River from Exchange Place, Jersey City, New Jersey; July 4, 1978. Courtesy National Building Museum, © Camilo José Vergara.”

From a press release:

“As the United States approaches the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York City and the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, the National Building Museum announces the new exhibition The Towers of the WTC: 51 Years of Photographs by Camilo José Vergara. Located in the Museum’s second-floor galleries, the exhibition will open on September 4, 2021, and be available through March 6, 2022. (more…)

“Mayor Bowser Proposes Renaming West Elementary School to Honor Congressman and Civil Rights Icon John Lewis”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the Mayor’s Office:

“This week, Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor Lewis Ferebee announced a proposal to rename West Elementary School to John Lewis Elementary School, honoring the legacy of the longtime congressman and champion of civil and human rights. Congressman Lewis was a staunch supporter of DC statehood, cosponsoring legislation to make Washington, DC the 51st state every term he was in Congress.

“John Lewis embodied what it meant to be an American hero – dedicating his life, and even sacrificing his body, to the fight for justice, equal rights, and a better America,” said Mayor Bowser. “As we prepare to mark one year since we lost Congressman Lewis, we are proud to honor his legacy by dedicating this school and its beautiful new facility in his name. This name change is an opportunity to inspire our youngest learners, uplift our DC values, and build on the long legacy of a beloved civil rights icon.”

The school is located at 1338 Farragut Street, NW in Ward 4, and a newly constructed building will open at the site this fall. The renaming will require DC Council approval and could go into effect at the start of the upcoming 2021-2022 School Year should the Council introduce and approve legislation. (more…)

“Spotted! Boat in Georgetown Canal”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by 4JRCook

“Dear PoPville,

Saw this tonight on my evening stroll. It’s docked at the bridge on 31st between K and M St. NW, and was NOT there midday today (Sunday). Crazy!! Would love to know the backstory on how it got there and what’s next for it” (more…)

“We need a mural for Gil Scott Heron”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I recently retired after nearly 40 years working in hospitality in this amazing city of ours. I am planning to move overseas but would very much like to leave “a mark” behind me. I am hoping to find someone with space for a mural, as well as an artist to collaborate with.

Specifically, I would like to honor the musician, Gil Scott Heron. Gil lived and taught, recorded, and performed in DC for ten of his most influential years in this town. (more…)

Archeological Finds Vol. 56 – Yarnold’s Pharmacy Sign

By Prince Of Petworth


3401 14th Street, NW

Thanks to Jonnel for sending from CC Liquor Store in Columbia Heights “The place has been closed for about a month now. Guy out front said renovations. Cool to know in its former glory it was a pharmacy.”

If you have a photo of a neat find from your house, place of work or neighborhood please send an email to [email protected] thanks. Please let me know where/what neighborhood you found it in too. Thanks.

Archeological Finds Vol. 55 “publication highlighting the Black community from around 1956”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

We recently replaced the front porch of our Capitol Hill home, and in the debris underneath uncovered this old-looking booklet. It’s missing the cover, but from what I can tell is a publication highlighting the Black community – everything from African American musicians to a “toothpick artist.” From what I can tell, it’s from around 1956. (more…)

“Norton Gives National Park Service Deadline on Decision on Changing the Name of Melvin Hazen Park, Will Introduce Bill to Change Name if Necessary”

By Prince Of Petworth

From Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s office:

“Last Monday, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) sent a letter giving the National Park Service (NPS) until August 31, 2021, to make a final decision on whether it will change the name of Melvin Hazen Park in the District of Columbia and informing NPS she will consider introducing legislation to change the name if NPS has not made a final decision by then. In February, Norton asked NPS to change the name of the park because Hazen helped demolish the African-American community in the D.C. neighborhood then known as Reno City. In response, NPS said that it needed to take more time to examine whether it has the authority to change the name, and if does have such authority, whether it should change the name.

Norton’s letter to NPS follows. (more…)

“Ahead of Juneteenth, Norton Introduces Georgetown Waterfront Enslaved Voyages Memorial Act”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by laurabl

From the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton:

“Ahead of Juneteenth, on Saturday, the holiday commemorating the end of slavery two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, and a day after the House passed a bill establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill to authorize the establishment of a memorial on federal land in the District of Columbia to honor enslaved individuals who disembarked at the Georgetown waterfront. The commemorative work, to be established by the Georgetown African American Historic Landmark Project and Tour, would honor the enslaved individuals’ presence, celebrate their contributions to history and recognize their resilience and fortitude.

“This week, we recognize Juneteenth, which marks the arrival of the news of emancipation to enslaved African Americans in Confederate-controlled Texas–two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued–the final end of slavery in the United States,” Norton said. “Juneteenth celebrates the culmination of the long struggle for freedom from bondage in the United States. This monumental event prompts us to reflect on the past and look to the future. This bill provides for the creation of a powerful marker of truth-telling and remembrance. Let us honor the personhood of these individuals, who were repeatedly assumed to have none, so that they will never be forgotten.”

Norton’s introductory statement follows. (more…)

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