History

“What ever happened to the compliment man?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

The complement man was a staple in Adams Morgan and Dupont, but hasn’t been seen in years. Does anyone have an update? He made tons of people feel good, so the streets miss him.”

Ed. Note: I remember him well from Adams Morgan – it’s been years since I’ve seen him. He was awesome.

“February 2005
All big cities can be lonely places, full of frantic people isolated from everyone else. But in America, the Compliments Man is trying to spark a reconnection.

Every day for the past 14 years, Ron Miller stands on a street corner in Washington complimenting people. “He really picks out something that stands out about each person,” comments one friend. He’s become a valued local attraction, charming all the passers by.

Produced by ABC Australia
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures”

Archeological Finds Vol. 11 – Crass Delicious Beverage

By Prince Of Petworth

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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. To those who have I sent – I promise I’m working through the queue!

“Unearthed as part of the renovations of my U St row house. Based some internet research, the soda was named after James E. Crass, an early Coca-Cola franchisee, so at least there’s a reason for the odd name.”

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Streets of Washington Presents – The many lives of the stately Old Masonic Temple

By Prince Of Petworth

Streets of Washington, written by John DeFerrari, covers some of DC’s most interesting buildings and history. John is the author of Historic Restaurants of Washington, D.C.: Capital Eats, published by the History Press, Inc. and also the author of Lost Washington DC.

The iconic Masonic Temple building on the northwest corner of 9th and F Streets NW was the first major private building to be constructed downtown after the Civil War, and it was an extraordinary achievement. Richly decorated inside and out and with a grand ballroom on the second floor, it was one of the city’s important cultural centers when it first opened its doors in 1869. The building had many lives, including as a bastion of the temperance movement in the early years of the 20th century and later as a furniture store. It would also become the first major building to be successfully protected by the District’s Historic Landmark and Historic District Protection Act of 1978.

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The old Masonic Temple on the northwest corner of 9th and F Streets NW (photo by the author).

The building was constructed as the headquarters for the local Grand Lodge of Masons. Freemasonry is a centuries-old tradition descended from medieval stone masons’ guilds that evolved into a strictly fraternal order dedicated to benevolent acts. Masons organize themselves into lodges, which are chartered by regional Grand Lodges. Masons were first active in Washington in the late 18th century and formed a Grand Lodge here in 1811. By the mid 19th century they were using a hall at 9th and D Streets NW and needed a larger, more prestigious building to house their meeting hall and headquarters. In 1864, as the Civil War raged, Congress gave them a charter to acquire and develop a site for a new hall. The association purchased the 9th and F Streets lot in 1865 and began raising funds to construct the building. The project was run strictly as a for-profit business, with funds raised by the sale of stock. Stockholders would earn income from rental of the building’s public spaces on the first and second floors. (more…)

Petworth History Discussion at Upshur St. Books, Sun. Mar 22 4:30 pm

By Prince Of Petworth

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From an email:

“HISTORY DISCUSSION and DOCUMENTARY SCREENING
Upshur Street Books…………827 Upshur St., NW

Linda Crichlow White and Lois Cooper, both long-time residents of Petworth and graduates of good old Roosevelt will speak at the new Upshur Street Book Store on Sunday, March 22 at 4:30pm. Lois is the creator of “The Pride of Petworth” documentary. Linda, with her mother, is the author of Back, There, Then, a historical, genealogical memoir that includes memories of Petworth. Linda’s parents purchased their Petworth home in 1950.
Come and connect with us and with Petworth!

Bibliophile and Upshur Street Bookstore Manager, Anna Thorn will moderate the discussion.”

Fantastic Font

By Prince Of Petworth

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Been a while since I spotted a good one. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better ‘2’ before.

“a diverse array of World War II aircraft will fly along the National Mall” May 8th – Update Practice Flight Postponed

By Prince Of Petworth

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Update: Tomorrow’s practice flight has been postponed due to weather.

From a press release:

“WHAT: Arsenal of Democracy Flyover Practice Flight
WHEN: Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at 12:10 p.m.
WHERE: Along the National Mall, Washington, D.C.

DETAILS: On March 10, 2015, residents of Washington, D.C., and neighboring counties may observe a twin-engine private aircraft flying in the vicinity of the Potomac River and along the National Mall. This aircraft will be conducting a practice flight to assist with planning for the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover commemorating the 70th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, scheduled for May 8, 2015.

The aircraft will depart Manassas Airport and fly to the Leesburg area, then down the Potomac River near the National Mall. It will then fly south until well south of the Washington, D.C. area. The aircraft will be near the National Mall for a few minutes at 12:15 p.m. on March 10. It will be flown by a qualified pilot and will adhere to all Federal Aviation Regulations. This event has been extensively coordinated with the FAA, TSA, and Secret Service, and official authorization has been granted for this flight. Minimum altitude will be 1,000 ft.

About the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover: The Arsenal of Democracy: WWII Victory Capitol Flyover is scheduled to take place on Friday, May 8, 2015 in Washington, D.C. Beginning at approximately 12:10 p.m., a diverse array of World War II aircraft will fly along the National Mall in historically sequenced warbird formations representing the War’s major battles, from Pearl Harbor through the final air assault on Japan, and concluding with a missing man formation to “Taps.” This historic event is being planned to honor the heroes who fought in the Warand those on the home front who produced the tanks, ships, and aircraft that enabled the U.S. and its Allies to achieve victory.”

“Mapping Segregation in Washington DC, 1900-1950” Library Event Thurs. and Sun.

By Prince Of Petworth

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From an email:

“Thursday, March 5, 6:30 pm – Washingtoniana Division, Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 901 G Street, NW

Sunday, March 8, 3 pm – Mount Pleasant Library, 16th and Lamont Streets, NW

Mapping Segregation in Washington DC is a research project whose goal is to create a set of layered, online maps illustrating the historic segregation of DC’s housing, schools, recreational facilities, and other public venues. Our first year has been focused on racially restrictive housing covenants mostly east of Rock Creek Park, and the legal challenges to them.

Come learn why many of DC’s “historically black” neighborhoods were once exclusively white, and how more recent shifts in the city’s racial identity have been shaped by this history.

Come see for yourself the maps we’ve created to show restricted neighborhoods, the legal battle lines, and who lived where over the years. Maps tell stories that words cannot.

Mapping Segregation in Washington DC is a collaboration among historians Mara Cherkasky and Sarah Shoenfeld of Prologue DC, historian/GIS specialist Brian Kraft of JMT Technology Group, and others. It is funded in part by the Humanities Council of Washington, DC.”

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