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In celebration of Women’s Equality Day, which falls on August 26, I invite you to learn about one of DC’s oldest historic landmarks that has a new story to tell. Recent research on the history of the women’s suffrage movement undertaken as part of a grant that OP’s Historic Preservation Office received through the National Park Service’s Underrepresented Communities Grant Fund, reveals a new and fuller her-story of the Benjamin Ogle Tayloe House.
Sincerely,
Anita Cozart
Director, DC Office of Planning
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OP has submitted the final Connecticut Avenue Development Guidelines for consideration by the Historic Preservation Review Board at their September meeting. A record of all public comments was included with the submission. Thank you to the Cleveland Park, Woodley Park, and the broader community for engaging in this 14-month process. The resulting guidelines ensure that future growth and development lead to greater equity across Rock Creek West while we continue to preserve these neighborhoods’ historic assets.
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The Pride of Capitol Hill is celebrating its 100th anniversary of the school’s opening this year. In honor of the centennial and formal acknowledgement of the school’s historic contributions, we're sharing a snapshot of research on its history.
In the 1910s, the city acquired land for a school to accommodate 800 students in a sparsely developed area that is now the residential East Capitol Hill neighborhood. The resulting brick building was constructed in 1923 in the Collegiate Gothic Revival style.
Eastern High School went through two extensive modernizations in the 1980s and 2010s, which included adding sustainability features like roof-top solar panels in support of the city’s clean energy goals. However, the current building retains its historic character. Original terracotta tile, marble floors and stairs in the center core, and the building’s original configuration have largely been preserved. Windows also appear as they did in the 1920s although they are now outfitted with energy-efficient insulated glass.
Following Brown v. Board of Education, the city moved quickly to integrate its previously segregated Black and white schools. Although the integration began slowly—in the fall of 1954, Eastern High School’s Black population was just 1-2% of its total enrollment—other factors like suburban migration (white flight) and an increase in Black population resulted in a complete reversal of the racial composition of Eastern. Between 1954 and 1963, the school went from being essentially entirely white to essentially entirely Black.
The school’s student community is a central part of the rich history of this institution, with championship sports teams and a gospel choir and marching band program that are known nationwide!
See historic photos and read more about Eastern High School.
 Left: Eastern High School’s Blue and White Marching Machine marching band (Andrew Lightman/HillRag). Right: Recent photo of Eastern High School (DCPS).
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Washington, DC is the nation’s capital and a city of neighborhoods and residents with a local history of people, places and events deserving of honor and remembrance. DC is home to many Commemorative Works honoring individuals and events of both national and local significance. This month, we are featuring the Benjamin Banneker Street Mural.
The Benjamin Banneker street mural is not a traditional commemorative work. It is a part of the Color the Curb program, a partnership between the District Department of Transportation, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, and DC Public Schools. The collaborative design and placemaking program combines the creativity of local mural artists with promoting safety at intersections around public schools.
These murals are opportunities to recognize diverse Washingtonians, their accomplishments, or tools of their trade – in this case, the mathematician and astronomer tools used by Banneker painted at the intersection of 9th and R streets NW near the entrance to Benjamin Banneker High School. The mural honors Banneker who lived from 1731 to 1806 and was a free African American working as a naturalist, mathematician, astronomer, and almanac author. The tools incorporated into the mural relate to his work as a surveyor. Banneker is known for computing astronomical calculations surveyors relied on to do their work, including assisting Major Andrew Ellicott in his work surveying the original borders of the District of Columbia.
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DC Supply Chain Needs Survey
The District has an exciting new federal funding opportunity through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program. These funds will support the distribution, processing, refrigeration, aggregation, and transportation of locally-grown produce and locally-made food products, with a particular focus on historically underserved small businesses and producers. OP is seeking feedback on how to prioritize these funds. Please visit bit.ly/RFSIDC to complete the survey.
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Understanding the Needs of District Food Business Owners
Do you own or operate a food business in the District? The Food Policy Council wants to hear from you. Our survey seeks to understand the needs and challenges District food businesses are taking. The feedback collected will help develop policy recommendations for the DC Government, especially focused on economic recovery following Covid-19.
Fill out the survey here by September 15, and input your contact information for a chance to win a $50 gift card.
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As we plan how DC can grow and change in ways that serve all residents, we want to hear from DC kids and teens about their favorite places in their neighborhoods and what they would like to have in their neighborhoods.
Take our DC Planning Survey for Kids and Teens.
OP is committed to supporting the next generation of designers and planners that reflect the rich culture and diversity of the District. We visit DC schools to allow students to step into the shoes of a planner or designer. If you are interested in having OP present to a class or youth program, or know of students who would like to connect with OP staff to discuss careers in planning, design and preservation, please contact us at planning@dc.gov or call us at 202-442-7600.
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Downtown Public Realm Plan Survey Results
Hundreds of Downtown residents, workers, and visitors filled out our Downtown Public Realm Plan survey, and we thank you for your thoughtful contributions. As we prepare to close the survey, we recently shared big-picture stats and the most common responses to some of the questions on our social media accounts.
See our Instagram for more.
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Commemorate DC
Cast your vote today! Help select a person, place, idea, or event to be honored in the District. OP is providing design assistance to residents seeking to bring commemorative works to their communities in Wards 4, 5, or 7. Voting is open through September 1.
Learn more and vote by visiting publicinput.com/cwtap.
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Nannie Helen Burroughs Small Area Plan
This Saturday, August 26 at 2pm we are hosting a free community event in Marvin Gaye Park as part of our Nannie Helen Burroughs Small Area Plan. Come enjoy food and games, get free backpacks and school supplies, and discuss plans for the neighborhood.
Your input is important to us! Complete our Nannie Helen Burroughs Corridor survey and learn about how to get involved at engage.dc.gov/nhbsap.
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Learn more and get involved in our community planning projects:
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Join us at the following events where OP staff will be available to answer questions and share information about OP’s work:
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Nannie Helen Burroughs Back-to-School Fest on August 26 – Join us at a free community event in Marvin Gaye Park. Come enjoy food, drinks, local vendors, and activities for all ages. Free backpacks and school supplies!
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Adams Morgan Day on September 10 – OP staff will be present at this all-day pedestrian zone and community festival which is supported by our Streets for People grant program
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National Food Policy Conference on September 12 – Food Policy Director Caroline Howe will speak on a panel entitled “Building a More Equitable Food System”
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National Building Museum Housing Affordability Summit on September 19 – Director Anita Cozart will participate in a panel discussion on “Displacement, Wealth Disparities, & Equitable Development”
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OP staff on a walking tour led by colleagues at DOEE to learn about the SW-Buzzard Point Flood Resilience Strategy, August 8, 2023.
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OP’s Downtown Public Realm Plan team doing outreach with unhoused residents at the Downtown Day Services Center, August 8, 2023.
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OP staff visiting the Anacostia Museum, August 18, 2023.
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OP at National Building Museum’s Ward Days, July 20, 2023.
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OP Historic Preservation staff talk about adaptive reuse along 14th St. NW during a webinar hosted by the DC Preservation League, August 17, 2023.
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