History

Phari’s Photos – The People’s Tree

By Prince Of Petworth

Photos and words by @Pharipedia. Phari is one of my favorite photographers who contributes to our Instagram. He’s volunteered to share a bit more with us from his adventures around town. Phari lives on Capitol Hill.

“The annual display of “The People’s Tree,” is a tradition that began in 1964. Every holiday season, a tree is selected by the Architect of the Capitol from a different national forest to be displayed on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Throughout the process, thousands of volunteers make this exhibit possible. This year’s Capitol Christmas Tree is a 55′ tall, 25′ wide Engelmann Spruce from Colorado that has been decorated by thousands of handcrafted ornaments by the beautiful people of the Centennial State.”

“gifted a photo album belonging to a family that clearly lived in DC (and it looks like the Columbia Heights area to me). I’d love to help her reunite these images with the family they belong to.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I have a bit of a mystery on my hands. A friend from work (who lives in Arizona) was gifted a photo album belonging to a family that clearly lived in DC (and it looks like the Columbia Heights area to me). I’d love to help her reunite these images with the family they belong to. The photos are really remarkable that I would hate for them to just get thrown away. I’m adding additional details from the current owner of the album and attaching some photos for reference.” (more…)

Before We Look at Today’s Coronavirus Numbers – An Important Reminder

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Rick Trinnes

Kuna shares the heartbreaking reminder after yesterday’s statistics:

“Our family has been hoping and praying that “37-yr male” would get better. Seeing him in the daily count is painful. A reminder that these ages and genders belong to real people whose families and friends are heartbroken in what has already been the hardest of times for so many.“

Sweet City Ride

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to Kris for sending this historic find from Wakefield: “it even has DC historic motor vehicle tags.” Any guesses on what year this old Honda Civic is?

Sweet City Ride is made possible by readers like you!

Washington National Cathedral will toll its bells 300 times starting at 5 pm “in memory of the 300,000 Americans who have died of COVID-19.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Brandon Kopp

From an email:

“Washington National Cathedral will toll its bells 300 times on Tuesday, Dec. 15 starting at 5 p.m. ET, in memory of the 300,000 Americans who have died of COVID-19.

The Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, the Cathedral’s dean, also released this statement:

“We have reached the point in America where the death toll from COVID-19 for just one day was the equivalent of 16 fully loaded 737 jets falling from the sky. (more…)

Phari’s Photos – Capitol dome’s Statue of Freedom

By Prince Of Petworth

Photos and words by @Pharipedia. Phari is one of my favorite photographers who contributes to our Instagram. He’s volunteered to share a bit more with us from his adventures around town. Phari lives on Capitol Hill.

Made of bronze and weighing 15,000 lbs, the Statue of Freedom has crowned the dome of the Capitol since 1863. The original plaster model of the statue had a liberty cap (ancient Roman symbol of emancipated slaves). Jefferson Davis, then the Secretary of War, demanded the liberty cap to be removed from the model. The sculpture’s final version replaced the liberty cap with a military helmet topped with an American Eagle head and a crest of feathers. Ironically, an enslaved Black man named, Philip Reid, played a significant role in the construction of the Statue of Freedom.

“Anyone have some information about the “house” on the hill above the Dalecarlia Reservoir/Washington Aqueduct?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I was wondering if any readers have some information about the “house” on the hill above the Dalecarlia Reservoir/Washington Aqueduct. It’s tucked behind Sibley hospital all by itself on a steep hill overlooking MacArthur Blvd and the reservoir. While built to resemble a home, I’m guessing it’s purpose had to do with the reservoir. (more…)

Phari’s Photos – LeDroit Park Beauty

By Prince Of Petworth

Photos and words by @Pharipedia. Phari is one of my favorite photographers who contributes to our Instagram. He’s volunteered to share a bit more with us from his adventures around town. Phari lives on Capitol Hill.

This stunning 11-bedroom, 11-bathroom Victorian mansion was designed by architect James H. McGill (not the character from Better Call Saul) as one of the original 64 unique houses built in Le Droit Park in 1870s. (more…)

“Limited-Release Brew Honoring Ben Tolkan Will Be Available in DC Starting December 11th”

By Prince Of Petworth

From DC Brau:

“The DC beer community lost our friend Ben Tolkan this past October after an epic five-and-a-half-year battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma. A charismatic mainstay within the community, Ben worked the bar at Pizzeria Paradiso before representing Brooklyn Brewery and DC Brau in the District. To honor his memory and his inspiring contribution to the DC craft beer scene, seven local breweries, along with longtime friends and family members, have come together to create a special American Pale Ale called Living the Dream, which will be available in limited quantities throughout Washington, DC, starting on Friday, December 11th.

“Ben’s unwavering optimism was infectious,” says DC Brau CEO & Co-Founder Brandon Skall. “He always saw the cup half full and the world as a beautiful place full of life and laughter. He always had a smile on his face, and spent each day ‘living the dream.’ We were honored to have him as part of the DC Brau family.”

The idea of the project came together in early November. The breweries collaborated with Ben’s friends and family, along with other community partners, including Pizzeria Paradiso and Jerkface Jerky, on the beer’s development. DC Brau is spearheading the Living the Dream brew along with contributions from Right Proper, Atlas Brew Works, 3 Stars, Bluejacket, Oxbow, and Hellbender. 
(more…)

Demolition at the old Randall School, ‘Museum Place’ coming

By Prince Of Petworth


820 Half Street, SW

Thanks to Mark Lyon for sending the update at the old Randall School soon to be Museum Place:

“Renovation and redevelopment of the historic Randall School will create a vibrant arts campus comprised of a contemporary art museum with commercial and education facilities complemented by a new 12-story apartment building, surrounding a beautiful landscaped courtyard in Southwest DC. (more…)

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