George Washington Memorial Parkway
The George Washington Memorial Parkway was designed as a "comprehensive park, parkway, and playgroun
![Photos from George Washington Memorial Parkway's post](https://img5.findglocal.com/393/326/882200973933265.jpg)
Today is World Listening Day. World Listening Day is devoted to understanding nature and society through sound.
The George Washington Memorial Parkway is a unique soundscape. Like other parks, the Parkway preserves green spaces. But it also connects people and places, both past and present.
People at different parts of the Parkway hear a diverse array of sounds. The roar of the Potomac is an omnipresent backdrop at Great Falls. Visitors flock to Gravelly Point to experience airplanes thundering overhead. And at Fort Hunt and Arlington Ridge, musicians treat crowds to summer concerts.
Check out some photos from the Parkway, Netherlands Carillon, Gravelly Point, Fort Hunt and Great Falls. And come to Fort Hunt this Sunday at 7:30 PM to hear the Silver Tones Swing Band! Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/events/1840297289739695
![Detour for Northbound George Washington Memorial Parkway Traffic on July 26 and August 2 Weekends - George Washington Memorial Parkway (U.S. National Park Service)](https://img5.findglocal.com/393/690/882164533936909.jpg)
The National Park Service will temporarily close the northbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway between Spout Run Parkway and Route 123 on July 26 and August 2 weekends. This is to install drainage systems and conduct other required rehabilitation work. Learn more:
Detour for Northbound George Washington Memorial Parkway Traffic on July 26 and August 2 Weekends - George Washington Memorial Parkway (U.S. National Park Service) MCLEAN, Va. — The National Park Service (NPS) will temporarily close the northbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) between Spout Run Parkway and Route 123. This is to install drainage systems and conduct other required rehabilitation work.
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The Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail's Maddy Sleeter (second from the right) just wrapped up her time with the Youth Conservation Corps in Shenandoah National Park! For four weeks, she put in hard work to improve the park for visitors.
She tackled trail maintenance, revamped erosion controls, hiked countless miles, learned from park rangers about their careers, and even camped out under the stars✨. A special highlight included hiking Old Rag Mountain with her crewmates to fix the trail and clean up trash. ️
Maddy's experience is overflowing with knowledge, and she's eager to put it to good use with the Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail! We're incredibly proud of this amazing Youth Volunteer and look forward to the incredible things she accomplishes next!
National Park Service Youth & Young Adult Programs
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Volunteers bring National Parks to life in many ways. Whether it’s participating in clean-ups or leading visitors through sites, they are crucial to the NPS mission. The George Washington Memorial Parkway works with an amazing group of volunteer musicians who share their talent with the community. These volunteers play the Netherlands Carillon.
As the 2024 Summer Concert series continues, we want to introduce you to the people who make the bells toll.
Playing this Saturday, July 13th is Hunter Chase. He studied the carillon as a student at the University of Chicago. Hunter first studied with Oliver McDonald and later with Jim Fackenthal. He served as president of the Guild of Student Carillonneurs at the University of Chicago. The student organization dedicated to instruction and promotion of the carillon that he led for three years. In 2017, he won the 5th prize in the Thomas Rees International Carillon Competition in Springfield, IL. Hunter will delight Arlington Ridge Park this Saturday and will again perform on October 5th.
Follow along as we continue to introduce the wonderful volunteers performing this summer. Find the concert schedule here: https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/carillon_concerts.htm
Alt Text: Photo of Hunter Chase in front of a large bell.
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On July 2, 1964, President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Introduced a year earlier by martyred president John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the Civil Rights Act passed by Congress and signed into law by President Johnson was a stronger version than the one proposed by President Kennedy. The 1964 Act banned discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, or national origin at all places of public accommodation (Title II), outlawed segregation of public facilities such as theatres and restaurants, swimming pools, libraries, and public schools (Titles III and IV), and guaranteed equal employment opportunities through Title VII.
Passage of the act had not been easy. Southern Democrats in the Senate held up the vote on the bill for months through an organized filibuster. Finally, through efforts led by Senate Minority Leader Everett Dirksen of Illinois who convinced enough Republicans to support a compromise bill over the Democratic opposition, a vote was held, and the law passed 73-27.
Johnson had gained a victory with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, but the rest of his term in office was beset by crises ranging from the Vietnam War to high unemployment, and racial conflicts that led to riots in the major cities of Los Angeles, Detroit, Newark, and Washington, D.C. To find peace and calm in these stressful times, Johnson and his wife Lady Bird would often stop at a small 30-acre grove on the shores of the Potomac River.
After Johnson’s death in January 1973, Lady Bird created a living memorial to him at this spot as a tribute to his love of nature. A 19-foot-tall granite monolith weighing 43 tons was brought from a quarry in Johnson’s home state of Texas and was surrounded by hundreds of white pines and dogwoods, framed by azaleas and rhododendron with several pathways leading through the woods.
Today, the Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove and the Lady Bird Johnson Park are part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The Memorial Grove honors our 36th president’s legacy of social justice and environmental concerns.
![George Washington Memorial Parkway between Spout Run Parkway and Route 123 will have one northbound lane starting June 29 - George Washington Memorial Parkway (U.S. National Park Service)](https://img4.findglocal.com/570/568/864476735705689.jpg)
As part of the next phase of the North Parkway Rehabilitation Project, the National Park Service (NPS) advises drivers traveling north on the George Washington Memorial Parkway to slow down and remain alert as traffic will merge at Spout Run Parkway. The inner (left) northbound lane will be open to traffic while the outside (right) northbound lane is closed for construction between Spout Run Parkway and Route 123 beginning June 29 through late August 2024. Drivers will be detoured starting 8 p.m. Friday, June 28 while crew members prepare the roadway, weather permitting, and the new parkway traffic pattern will begin after 7 a.m. Saturday, June 29. Learn more about the upcoming traffic shift:
![Photos from George Washington Memorial Parkway's post](https://img5.findglocal.com/789/570/842576597895703.jpg)
A variety of mushrooms appear at Fort Hunt in the fall, sometimes in circles. The emergence of mushrooms from the earth has seemed magical to many observers in history. Circles of mushrooms are still known colloquially as fairy rings. But if fairies don't cause them, what does?
Mushrooms we see above ground are fruiting bodies. Not unlike how fruits carry seeds, mushrooms release spores. Spores germinate into cells called hyphae. Underneath the earth, intricate webs of hyphae connect to create fungal bodies called mycelia. Not unlike how fruits grow from trees, mushrooms grow from mycelia.
The shape of fairy circles is the product of how mycelia form. Hyphae branch out in all directions from the initial point of germination. When the mycelium is ready to reproduce, fruiting bodies (mushrooms) appear at the tips of the hyphae. This results in a circular perimeter around the point of germination. Sometimes, fairy circles become wider as years go by and the tips of hyphae spread farther apart.
Find a new park on the George Washington Memorial Parkway! https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm
Photos: Circles of Eastern Jack o' Lanterns and grisettes at Fort Hunt Park.
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Click here to register for a free seminar about Fort Hunt's World War II history. https://librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/12526680
On this day in 1944, Allied forces landed in Normandy. Did you know the landings were planned around intercepted Axis communications?
Ōshima Hiroshi was Japan's ambassador to Germany during World War II. Ōshima sent detailed reports about the war in Europe to Tokyo. Ōshima encrypted his messages. But in 1940, the United States broke the cipher used by Ōshima. The Allies intercepted almost all of Ōshima's reports.
In November 1943, Ōshima toured German coastal fortifications on the Atlantic. The intercepted report he sent to Japan provided a wealth of information for the Allies. Ōshima took notes about the locations, weapons and manpower the Germans kept at different locations. The Allies used this information to plan D-Day.
Germany surrendered in 1945. Ōshima was taken into custody and brought to the United States. In July, Ōshima stayed at Fort Hunt. Intelligence officers remember that Ōshima was provided brandy and questioned informally. Eventually, Ōshima was sent to Japan and was prosecuted during the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal.
Register to learn more about Fort Hunt during World War II!
![Photos from George Washington Memorial Parkway's post](https://img5.findglocal.com/056/763/849190580567638.jpg)
This Memorial Day weekend, the George Washington Memorial Parkway, in partnership with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) and the National Park Trust, proudly distributed lifetime passes to our National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands to Military Veterans and Gold Star Families.
Thanks to the Alexander Lofgran Veterans in Parks Act, passed in December 2021, veterans and Gold Star Families can now enjoy FREE LIFETIME ACCESS to these beautiful spaces. This new benefit is in addition to the existing free annual Military Pass available to active-duty service members and their families since 2012.
The Park was especially honored to present a pass to Emily Hankel, fiancée of Alexander Lofgran, whose story was a driving force behind the Act's passage.
Want to learn more? Visit here to find out details about the Act and how to obtain your own pass: https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/new-lifetime-pass-available-military-veterans-and-gold-star-families-access-public
Visit her to learn more about
The George Washington Memorial Parkway extends its deepest gratitude to all those who have served and their families. We are forever grateful for your sacrifice.
![Weekend closure planned for the exit ramp from George Washington Memorial Parkway to northbound I-495 beginning the night of Friday, May 31 - George Washington Memorial Parkway (U.S. National Park Service)](https://img4.findglocal.com/076/895/847177380768958.jpg)
Starting Friday, May 31, the National Park Service (NPS) will close the I-495 exit ramp from the northbound George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) toward Maryland. This closure is for drainage installation and rehabilitation work. The ramp will be closed from 8 p.m. on Friday until 5 a.m. on Monday, June 3. If needed, the ramp may also be closed the following weekend, starting Friday, June 7, depending on the weather.
Learn more:
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During a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 19, the National Park Service (NPS) officially reopened Bridge 23 on the Mount Vernon Trail, located within the D**e Marsh Wildlife Preserve. Cyclists and pedestrians can now safely use the newly reconstructed bridge, which was damaged from prior floods.
Construction for Bridge 23 began in the summer of 2023, following the completion of neighboring Bridge 24. The NPS worked closely with community partners throughout the design and construction phases. The NPS replaced and widened the 1,070-foot-long bridge, added new pedestrian safe handrails, and an updated bench and overlook.
Learn more: https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/learn/news/national-park-service-announces-grand-reopening-of-bridge-23-on-the-mount-vernon-trail.htm
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Today is National Kids to the Park Day! The George Washington Memorial Parkway offers a variety of activities for all ages! Visit the overlooks and hiking trails at Great Falls Park. Ask a park ranger for an activity booklet and earn your Junior Ranger badge. Sign up for a free Learn to Ride session, where park rangers give you tips and tricks to learn how to ride a bike! Our national parks are places for exploration, fun, and discovery! With your help, we can continue to preserve our parks for everyone to enjoy. Remember to check the park’s website for rules and other important information. Leave no trace and plan like a ranger!
Kids to Parks Day - National Park Trust
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Paul Fairbrook was born Paul Schöenbach in Borgsdorf, Germany in 1923. His father was a banker. In 1933, Paul and his brother, Uri, were not allowed to attend a local school because they were Jewish. The boys' father, Alvin, was furious, declaring that Germany was "not a country in which I want to live." The Schöenbachs emigrated to Tel Aviv and later to the United States, where they Anglicized their family name to Fairbrook.
Fairbrook was drafted in 1943. Because of his fluency in German, he was trained at Camp Ritchie, Maryland alongside other German and Austrian-born recruits. After training, Fairbrook was sent to Fort Hunt, where he served in the Military Intelligence Research Section (MIRS). MIRS provided intelligence about the German military that helped the Allies win the war.
Fairbrook remembered the importance of his time at Fort Hunt as twofold. First, he said it allowed him "to revenge in whatever way I could my loss of...my family to the Holocaust. Second and equally important, I had the chance to thank the United States for letting me and my family in. Because of that...my children and my grandchildren are all doing well in this wonderful country."
Learn more. https://home.nps.gov/museum/exhibits/FOHU_oral_history/index.html
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As public servants, the National Park Service staff create opportunities for visitors to connect with our parks. They protect our Nation’s cultural and natural resources for the enjoyment of this and future generations. One of the sites along the George Washington Memorial Parkway is the Netherlands Carillon. This instrument comprised of 53 bells was gifted to the United States by the Netherlands. It stands as a symbol of peace and friendship between the two nations. The Netherlands Carillon’s twenty second bell is dedicated to civil servants. On it, the following verses by Ben Van Eysselsteijn were inscribed:
“Army of peace:
Civil servants:
The ship of State will have a safe course
As long as you support law and peace.”
We appreciate the work and dedication of the National Park Service staff and all public servants. How have public servants helped you appreciate parks?
Learn more about the Netherlands Carillon here: https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/learn/historyculture/netherlandscarillon.htm
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In May of 1940, Germany launched a devastating invasion of western Europe. By July, Germany had captured France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands. The United Kingdom was the only nation left to oppose Hitler's conquest of Europe.
British military leaders knew they needed to use unconventional thinking to win the war. In February 1940, they hired Christopher Clayton Hutton. Hutton had been working in the film industry and decided to apply for unspecified war work. During an interview, Hutton explained that his interest in show business began when he was nineteen. At that age, Hutton met a famous escape artist named Harry Houdini. Hutton bet Houdini that Houdini could not escape from a prespecified wooden crate. Houdini won the bet by bribing the crate's manufacturers to build it so he could escape.
The British military tasked Hutton with devising ways for captured personnel to escape Axis captivity. Like Houdini, Hutton used tricks. He found clever ways to hide compasses and maps into everyday items that could be sent to prisoners.
The United States entered World War II in 1941. Later, the military started MIS-X, a top secret organization at Fort Hunt. MIS-X used Hutton's tricks to help American prisoners, too. Together, these secret American and British operations helped the Allies win the war.
Learn more. https://www.nps.gov/articles/forthuntww2.htm
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What makes a gift special? Today marks the 64th Anniversary of the dedication of the Netherlands Carillon. What started as 49, now a total of 53 bells were gifted to the United States by the people of the Netherlands.
The Netherlands Carillon is a gift as a symbol of the friendship between the two countries after the aid provided by the United States during and after World War II. Each bell is dedicated to an aspect of Dutch culture. These dedications are distinguished by emblems and poetic inscriptions.
For 64 years the bells of the Netherlands Carillon have rang songs of friendship across the Potomac River to Washington DC. Today, visitors can enjoy peaceful recreation on the surrounding grounds of the Netherlands Carillon. Stay tuned for future Netherlands Carillon concert dates in the summer.
https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/learn/historyculture/netherlandscarillon.htm
![Photos from Embassy of the Netherlands in the United States's post](https://img3.findglocal.com/564/851/831715115648518.jpg)
Join us this Sunday for the third annual Freedom Concert with our friends at the Embassy of the Netherlands in the United States at the Netherlands Carillon in Arlington Ridge Park!
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Help us document nature on the Mount Vernon Trail!
Join the Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail for an iNaturalist Bioblitz on Sunday, April 28th at 10:00 AM. This is a fun and informative event where you can help record the plants and animals that call the trail home.
Learn more and register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tickets-inaturalist-bioblitz-on-the-mount-vernon-trail-160335238337
![Photos from George Washington Memorial Parkway's post](https://img4.findglocal.com/268/802/827986672688029.jpg)
Did you know there are almost 100 species of trees existing along the George Washington Memorial Parkway? Some of these trees are listed by the states of Virginia and Maryland as rare, threatened or endangered. Trees are important natural features in our parks. Many also bear witness to our past. Fort Hunt Park is now a green space with open fields and picnic benches open to the public. However, it is filled with an abundance of our nation’s history. In 1939, King George VI became the first reigning monarch to visit North America. He and Queen Elizabeth, along with President Roosevelt, visited Fort Hunt. At that time, the park was a Civilian Conservation Corps camp. The CCC was formed in 1932 to combat unemployment amongst young men from rural areas and inner cities. King George VI spent some time talking to the young men of the CCC. The men shared stories of their time in the CCC program and showed the King one of their barracks. To commemorate the King’s visit, a member of the Royal Party caused two pin oaks to be planted at Fort Hunt. One of the two oaks still survives in the park today. https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/learn/historyculture/fort-hunt-history-and-culture.htm
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George Washington Memorial Parkway staff had a blast hanging out with our furry friends and our partner, the Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail, at the ALX Dog Walk this past Saturday to highlight the National Park Service’s Bark Ranger Program!
The Bark Ranger program is a fantastic way for dog owners to explore parks with their pups while learning how to be responsible stewards of our natural places.
Want to learn more?
Check out the Bark Ranger program here: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/pets/be-a-bark-ranger.htm
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This National Park Week, the George Washington Memorial Parkway is thrilled to celebrate a new five-year agreement with our valued partner, the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club - PATC!
Since 1927, PATC has been a pillar of the outdoor community, creating and maintaining trails, cabins, and shelters throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Their dedication to connecting people with nature through outreach events, workshops, and volunteer opportunities is truly inspiring.
From assisting with general maintenance of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail to tackling large projects like installing over 100 steps at Turkey Run Park, PATC's volunteers have been instrumental in supporting the Parkway.
We are incredibly grateful to PATC and all our amazing volunteers who generously donate their time and energy to give back to their local national parks. You help ensure these parks continue to provide enjoyment, education, and inspiration for generations to come.
Learn more about the stairs project: https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/learn/news/project-provides-access-to-trails-along-the-potomac-river.htm
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April 22-30 is International Dark Skies Week. The George Washington Memorial Parkway is celebrating by hosting a viewing party for the Lyrids meteor shower at Fort Hunt Park.
The April Lyrids are the first meteor shower of which human beings made a written record. In 687 BC, a Chinese court astronomer observed that "in the middle of the night, stars fell like rain." By offering us shows taken in by our species for more than 2,700 years, the night sky offers us a way of connecting to the deep past.
The Lyrids viewing party is the first of three astronomy events planned at Fort Hunt this year. On August 10, visitors can come to see the Perseids meteor shower. On September 7, they can take in a special view of Saturn.
Stay apprised of these and other events using the Parkway's Facebook events page. https://www.facebook.com/NPSGWMP/events
Alt text:
A woman looks through her telescope on a starry night.
![Photos from George Washington Memorial Parkway's post](https://img3.findglocal.com/350/512/819815753505121.jpg)
We're thrilled to share that some incredible members of the Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail (FoMVT) have been recognized by Volunteer Alexandria for their outstanding service!
Maddy Sleeter has been chosen for the Youth Volunteer Service Award, a fantastic achievement!
FoMVT President, Judd Isabell, will be receiving the Adult Gold Medal for dedicating an impressive 538 volunteer hours in 2023.
FoMVT Board Member, Cameron Taylor, is being honored with the Adult Silver Medal for her exceptional 432 volunteer hours in 2023.
These dedicated volunteers have played a vital role in keeping the Mount Vernon Trail a beautiful and welcoming space for everyone. Their hard work and passion are truly inspiring!
Want to learn more about these awardees and their excellent work? Head over to: https://www.volunteeralexandria.org/volunteers-are-the-heart
Interested in joining FoMVT for their upcoming volunteer events? See their upcoming events here: https://mountvernontrail.org/events/
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The Clara Barton Parkway will be closed this weekend (Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14) from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for comprehensive maintenance activities. This essential work includes hazardous tree removal, pothole repairs, curb cleaning, litter removal, roadkill clearance, and invasive plant treatment.
On Saturday April 13th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. we are looking for volunteers to help protect our parklands! We are currently looking for a maximum of 10 volunteers to assist us in a trash pickup along the Clara Barton Parkway.
We'll provide instructions, gloves, trash bags, and trash pickers. Please dress in long sleeves and pants and bring your own personal protective equipment (masks, sunscreen, bug spray), and water.
All volunteers will park and check-in at Glen Echo Park's main parking lot at 9:00 a.m. (map included in registration link below) and be shuttled to the work site along the Clara Barton Parkway. For your convenience, restrooms are available at Glen Echo Park. Please note that access to Glen Echo Park will be limited to southbound traffic on the Clara Barton Parkway. You can reach the park by traveling south from Interstate 495 past Cabin John.
Participants will be notified ahead of time if cancellation is needed due to inclement weather. To Register for the event, please use the link below: https://forms.office.com/g/f0ng0w5E71
For more information, please reach out to Jonathan Molineaux at [email protected] or (202-438-6614)
![Photos from George Washington Memorial Parkway's post](https://img3.findglocal.com/793/610/808839297936100.jpg)
On this day in 1917, the United States entered the First World War. Did you know that World War I veterans lived at Fort Hunt?
In the early 1930s, thousands of World War I veterans traveled to Washington, DC for demonstrations. Historians call these the Bonus Marches.
The Bonus March of 1932 was violent. President Franklin Roosevelt did not want that to happen in 1933. He invited the marchers to stay at Fort Hunt before they marched.
After the march, President Roosevelt offered the marchers an opportunity to stay at Fort Hunt. While at Fort Hunt, the veterans could work for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Most of them accepted President Roosevelt's offer. This was the beginning of CCC Camp NP-6, located at Fort Hunt from 1933-1942.
Much of Camp NP-6's work on the Parkway survives. Between October 1934 and March 1935, they undertook considerable projects at Roaches Run Bird Sanctuary. NP-6 built a parking lot, moved or planted 1,265 trees and installed a tide gate to control water flow from the Potomac. Roaches Run has since been refurbished with modern materials, but these features remain faithful to the CCC's design.
Learn more. https://www.nps.gov/articles/600177.htm #4/31.80/-78.13
Alt text:
Photo 1
Six men work with shovels on the side of the road.
Photo 2
View of the Washington Monument from Roaches Run.
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On Saturday, March 30, rangers from the George Washington Memorial Parkway partnered with Arlington Public Library to celebrate César Chávez Day of Service and Learning. Participants were able to learn about the importance of stewardship, environmental preservation, and service. We are happy to welcome our newest group of Junior Rangers!
To learn how to earn your GWMP Jr. Ranger badge, visit https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/learn/kidsyouth/beajuniorranger.htm
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In 1993, Ruth Bader Ginsburg described Margaret Brent as "a great lady of the mid-1600s." Did you know that Margaret Brent once owned the land that is now Jones Point Park?
The Brents were a wealthy Catholic family from England. They are important to the histories of both Maryland and Virigina. Margaret Brent was the first English woman to own land in Maryland. Margaret's brother, Giles, was the first English owner of what is now Fort Hunt. Margaret became the owner of Jones Point (then called Piper's Island) in 1654.
In the colonial Chesapeake, only single women could own property. Brent never married and became an influential businesswoman. This was very unusual in the time during which Brent lived. According to Ginsburg, Brent's social prominence "so confused her contemporaries" that court records sometimes referred to her as the "Gentleman Margaret Brent."
Learn more about Jones Point. Jones Point Park - George Washington Memorial Parkway (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Alt Text:
A commemorative plaque covered in snow. Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge in the background.
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Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis was granddaughter of Martha Washington. Did you know she was born at what is now Ronald Reagan National Airport?
The airport was the site of Abingdon, an eighteenth and nineteenth century plantation. Eleanor's father, John Parke Custis, purchased Abingdon in 1778. Eleanor was born in March of the following year and raised at Abingdon.
In 1930, a fire destroyed the remnants of Abingdon. Later, commemoration of the site of Abingdon became a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) project. One of the area's most productive CCC camps (Camp NP-6) was based at Fort Hunt. During the 1930s, Camp NP-6 built an access road from the Parkway to the site of Abingdon. They also landscaped the grounds and built a reproduction well cover "as close as possible to the design of the well house which was in use when Nellie Custis lived there." Thanks in part to the work of Camp NP-6, it is still possible to visit Abingdon today.
Learn more about the CCC at Fort Hunt. Fort Hunt Park Cultural Landscape (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Alt Text: A commerative memorial to Abington Plantation in the foreground. Metro Trains to Ronald Reagan National Airport run in the background.
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Red Shawl Day 2023
According to the Department of Justice, American Indian and Alaska Native women are missing and murdered at a rate of more than 10 times the national average. Red Shawl Day is an annual national effort to bring attention to acts of violence committed against Indigenous people. Throughout the week surrounding November 19, people are encouraged to wear red as a symbol of the loss of sacred lifeblood through violence.
The National Park Service is part of an all-of-government effort to bring attention and action to missing and murdered Indigenous people. America‘s national parks are part of and surrounded by many Indigenous communities. As part of this observance, you may see National Park Service staff wearing red shawls.
Ways to Help and Raise Awareness:
Being aware and spreading awareness of this issue can save lives.
Report suspicious activities when visiting public lands to local law enforcement.
Wear a red shawl or red clothing the day and week of Red Shawl Day
Join the conversation on social media using and .
Image description: The poster graphic includes a black and white photograph of dress-shaped beaded earrings laying on a shawl with one earring appearing bright red and black.
Text reads: “Red Shawl Day. November 19. The National Park Service supports Red Shawl Day. Wear red to raise awareness and draw attention to the horrible acts of violence against Indigenous people, especially the women and children. ”. The text is followed by the National Park Service logo.
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