History

Phari’s Photos – Gessford Court

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.

“Through much of the 19th century and the early 20th century, Washington DC experienced a boom in alley dwellings. While the real estate developers were designing and constructing impressive homes for the wealthier residents, they were building much smaller structures in back alleyways with mostly no running water or electricity. As the city’s population rose, the poor and working-class people began living in these dwellings in large numbers. With a majority Black population, these alleyway neighborhoods created tightly-knit communities. (more…)

“Mayor Bowser Seeks Community Feedback on Public Spaces Around 14th and U Streets, NW”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC Office of Planning (OP) launched a survey to receive community feedback on public life and activity in and around the intersection of 14th and U Streets, NW, in the heart of the U Street corridor in Ward 1. OP is seeking public feedback on ways to better preserve or improve the public spaces around this intersection and how the District can work together to enhance the types of activities that take place there. (more…)

“The Chicken Bacon Ranch Guy: Five Years Later”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Question for you/popville: what’s chicken bacon ranch pizza guy up to? Hope he’s doing alright and eating all the CBR he has ever hoped for.”

Ask and ye shall receive:

“Hey, guys. It’s me — Chicken Bacon Ranch guy.

Surely you remember, five years ago, when hundreds of this blog’s commenters chewed me up and spat me out like a chicken ranch slice with no bacon on it. A few of you came to my aid, but most of you were hungry for my blood. I was hungry only for Chicken Bacon Ranch.

You called me a “dunce,” “an asshat,” and an “over-entitled d-bag.” You insulted my home state, saying I was a “typical mouthy New Yorker,” and that I should go back there (I didn’t). Thank god I’m anonymous.

I doubt anyone needs a recap of what happened, but if you moved here pre-Trump, you might not understand the regular, unending references made to me and my favorite pizza. For those of you not familiar with the events that led us here, I’ll sum it up more briefly than I did in 2015: (more…)

New Series: Phari’s Photos

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.

Phari writes:

“This beautiful Italianate-style house in the Capitol Hill neighborhood was once the home of Fredrick Douglas. The abolitionist, suffragist, orator, author, and statesman purchased this house when he first moved to Washington, DC in 1871. Douglas lived at 316 A. Street, NE until 1877, before moving across the river to the Anacostia neighborhood and the “Cedar Hill” house which is now a National Historic Site. (more…)

District of Columbia Facilities and Commemorative Expressions Working Group (DCFACES) Report Recommends Renaming schools, buildings, parks, statues and monuments.

By Prince Of Petworth

Read the DC-FACES-Executive-Summary (PDF) here.

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser released the District of Columbia Facilities and Commemorative Expressions Working Group (DCFACES) report. In July 2020, the Mayor assembled the working group with the charge of reviewing the legacy of namesakes of District assets to determine if the individual, in an individual capacity or as part of a group, participated in the oppression of African Americans and/or other communities of color, or contributed to the nation’s history of systemic racism and other biases. (more…)

“It threw me that someone who was executed by the Government of the United States for war crimes would get such a laudatory marker.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I spotted this marker in Mt Olivet Cemetery not long ago. A quick google search for Henry Wirz revealed that he didn’t just die in 1865, he was executed in 1865 for running the notorious Andersonville Prison Camp. It threw me that someone who was executed by the Government of the United States for war crimes would get such a laudatory marker. Then again, in light of all that has been written recently about the Daughters of the Confederacy’s penchant for monuments that rewrite history, maybe this should not have shocked me. I’m curious if this particular monument has come under scrutiny before.”

6th Annual Chuck Brown Day to be celebrated virtually on Saturday

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

“On Saturday, August 22, 2020, the Bowser Administration and the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), in conjunction with the DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music & Entertainment (OCTFME), will celebrate the late Go-Go legend Chuck Brown’s birthday with the 6th Annual Chuck Brown Day virtually. The event celebrates the Godfather of Go-Go and the rich, original musical history of the District.  (more…)

“August 24 to 28, 2020 – Our Story: Faces of Suffrage, Portraits of Change, an interactive photo mosaic and art installation depicting a portrait of Ida B. Wells, will be on display in the Main Hall of Union Station.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo courtesy of the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission

From the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation:

“Our Story: Faces of Suffrage, Portraits of Change Art Exhibit

When: August 24, 2020 – August 28, 2020
Where: Union Station Main Hall (and Online)
Cost: Free
Contact: Event website

Our Story: Faces of Suffrage, Portraits of Change is an interactive photo mosaic and art installation depicting a portrait of suffragist and civil rights activist Ida B. Wells. Created by artist Helen Marshall of the People’s Picture, commissioned by the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission, and produced by Christina Korp, Purpose Entertainment, Our Story commemorates the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and women’s right to vote in the United States. From August 24 to 28, 2020, a large-scale installation of the photo mosaic will be on display in the Main Hall at Union Station. (more…)

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