History

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…)

“will be a neighborhood tavern based on the former The Fountain Inn”

By Prince Of Petworth


1659 Wisconsin Ave, NW

Thanks to Dane for sending:

“I noticed a new ABRA notice on the door of a building at 1659 Wisconsin Ave, NW for a new restaurant that is going to be called the “Fountain Inn” based on Georgetown’s historical Fountain Inn/Suter’s Tavern. Seems there has been some Georgetown lore surrounding the old tavern.”

The placard says: (more…)

Archeological Finds Vol. 51 – Looking Towards Union Station 1934

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to the Christensen family for sharing this cool find:

“It’s from a childhood trip they took to DC from Iowa in 1934, and appears to be taken from the Capitol toward Union Station.”

If you have a photo of a neat find from your house or place of work please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail.com thanks. Please let me know where/what neighborhood you found it in too. Thanks.

Library of Congress Lit Up to Mark the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Sarah

Sarah shares last night “is LoC like this for a reason?”

Thanks to all who replied about National Women’s Suffrage Month-those are suffrage colors. It’s the centennial of the 19th Amendment.

From the Library of Congress:

“Counting Down with #19Suffrage Stories: 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment

Women fought long and hard for the vote–before and after the passage of the 19th Amendment, which declares the right to vote “shall not be denied … on account of sex.” Diverse communities and organizations blazed the trail for equal voting rights across the nation. For many women, especially women of color, the fight didn’t end when the 19th Amendment went into effect on August 26, 1920. Yet the stories of these suffragists have often been overlooked. (more…)

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