Upcoming Presentation: The Historic Meridian Hill Neighborhood

Ever wonder what that piece of stone castle wall at 16th and Florida is about?  How did such a grandiose park called Meridian Hill develop?  Did you know that Meridian Hill was once a wealthy enclave of wealthy statesmen and foreign emissaries (keep your eyes peeled for the mansions that remain along 16th and 15th Streets around the Park that mingle with apartment buildings)?  If so, or if your interest has been peeked, come see architectural historian Kimberly Prothro Williams present the history of the Meridian Hill Neighborhood. 

Date:  Monday, April 4th

Time:  7-9pm

Location:  The Community Room in View 14 (2303 14th St NW)

Architectural Historian Kimberly Prothro Williams will speak about the development of Meridian Hill, a prestigious neighborhood of private residences and foreign legations that was the brainchild of Mrs. Mary F. Henderson and her husband, Senator John Henderson.  Beginning in the late 19^th century and continuing for several decades, the indefatigable Mrs. Henderson campaigned for and financed the construction of the area’s grand mansions and foreign legations, transforming the area from a rugged and under-developed post-Civil War settlement into an impressive gateway to the nation’s capital. 

Ms. William’s lecture will discuss the neighborhood’s history prior to the arrival of Mrs. Henderson, tracing its development roots to the early 19^th century, and its post-Civil War subdivision as Meridian Hill.  It will then detail the Henderson’s successful Congressional lobbying efforts to purchase a three-block tract of land on Meridian Hill to build the formidable European-style Meridian Hill Park that became the framework around which she and her husband created a socially prominent enclave of wealthy statesmen and foreign emissaries. 

The talk will showcase how the rise of Meridian Hill as an elite enclave in the early 20^th century greatly enhanced the desirability of 16^th Street.  Apartment building developers capitalized upon the “exclusive” nature of Meridian Hill and began to build luxury apartment buildings along both 15^th and 16^th Streets, across from and north of Meridian Hill Park. 

The presentation will illustrate the collection of mansions of exceptional architectural value largely built between 1905 and 1928 that reflect the eclecticism of the Beaux Arts style of architecture.  In particular, the area includes eight of twelve embassies built through the collaborative effort of Mrs. Henderson and notable D.C. architect George Oakley Totten, Jr. as well as other private mansions commissioned by some of the city’s most socially prominent individuals. 

Mrs. Williams will then present the boundaries of a proposed Meridian Hill Historic District and the process for pursuing such designation.

United States Park Police Citizens’ Academy

Ever want to learn more about how your neighborhood, specifically Meridian Hill Park, is patrolled?  This is a great chance to get more involved and gain insight into an agency that protects our neighborhood and its parks.

In a release from the Park Police:

The United States Park Police will present a Citizens’ Academy in Spring 2011. The classes are planned for Wednesday evenings, March 2, 2011 through April 5, 2011 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the United States Park Police Anacostia Operations facility. Investigators, trainers, station commanders and officers will explain the United States Park Police organization, police procedures, and what it is like to be a police officer at the United States Park Police Citizens’ Academy. 
This 6-week course is offered by the Training Branch of the United States Park Police and is open to those who: 
• are U.S. citizens 18 years of age or older, 
• Live or work in the National Capital Region; or are the parents, partners, or spouses of employees of the United States Park Police, 
• Pass a background check. We will initiate a criminal history check through NCIC (National Crime Information Center) and applicants may be rejected if they have a misdemeanor or felony conviction or evidence that the candidate has misrepresented, omitted, or falsified any information. 
Topics include Use of Force, Investigations, Special Forces operations, Radio Communications, Emergency Response, and much more. 
For any questions or for information on registering for the class, contact the United States Park Police Training Branch at 202-610-3525. 
The United States Park Police seeks to serve people from a wide variety of backgrounds when selecting participants in its Citizens’ Academy classes. It attempts to attract candidates of different ethnicities, professions, cultural backgrounds, orientations, age groups, and neighborhoods throughout the city so as to enrich class discussions and reach out to as many communities as possible. This academy will not offer the attendee reserve, auxillary or cadet officer status. Our purpose for this academy is to open the lines of communication, form stronger bonds and establish cognitive and cooperative relationships from the communities we serve. 
You must submit your application to reserve a place now. You will be contacted when the attendees have been selected. Apply early as there may be limited space in the class. 
Applications can be found on the Park Police website at www.nps.gov/uspp 
Click on the link to the Citizens Police Academy

Harrison School Awarded

Through the recently published RFO, the Harrison School has been awarded to Meridian Public Charter School. The Department of Real Estate Services will host a public hearing regarding the Harrison School on February 28, 2011 at 6:00PM. The meeting will be held at the Reeves Center located at 2000 14th Street, NW in the second floor Community Room. Community input is valued and welcomed. So please feel free to come, listen and ask any question you may have.

Thanks to the Department of Real Estate Services for the announcement.