Making Capitol Hill: The First Settlers of L`Enfant`s `Pedestal`
Wednesday, July 11 at 7:00 pm
Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Entrance on 9th Street. 3rd floor, Frager’s
Conference Room. Fully accessible.
When Pierre L`Enfant was given the task of designing the capital of the fledgling
United States, he described his site choice as "a pedestal waiting for a monument."
That pedestal also would be home to a handful of developers ranging from a senator
from Maryland to a widow left in charge of the ferry (actually a rowboat) that crossed
the Anacostia River. While only one of the first period houses still stands, enough
is known about the others to recreate the complete story of the first property owners
of Capitol Hill.
Hill Center and Capitol Hill Village are sponsoring this talk
by John Vlach, a Capitol Hill Village member and member of The George Washington
University faculty for thirty-two years. He is the author of nine books, including:
By the Work of Their Hands (1991), Back of the Big House (1993), The Planter`s Prospect
(2002), Barns (2003) -- winner of the Kniffen Prize -- and many essays and book chapters.
For five years, he served on the DC Historic Preservation Review Board and remains
an advisor to the Ruth Ann Overbeck Lecture Series held regularly on The Hill.
If
you have not visited Hill Center yet, please come at 6:00 pm for a docent led tour
of this newly renovated former Civil War era hospital.
Call the office
to let us know you plan to attend.
Open to all
Reservations required but not limited, 20 places taken.
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