Final General Management Plan Environmental Impact Statement

Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site Washington, D.C. Final General Management Plan / Environmental Impact Statement ______

Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site Washington, District of Columbia

The National Park Service is preparing a general management plan to clearly define a direction for resource preservation and visitor use at the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site for the next 10 to 15 years. A general management plan takes a long-range view and provides a framework for proactive decision making about visitor use, managing the natural and cultural resources at the site, developing the site, and addressing future opportunities and problems. This is the first NPS comprehensive management plan prepared f or the national historic site. As required, this general management plan presents to the public a range of alternatives for managing the site, including a preferred alternative; the management plan also analyzes and presents the resource and socioeconomic impacts or consequences of implementing each of those alternatives the “Environmental Consequences” section of this document.

All alternatives propose new interpretive exhibits. Alternative 1, a “no-action” alternative, presents what would happen under a continuation of current management trends and provides a basis for comparing the other alternatives. Al t e r n a t i v e 2 , the preferred alternative, expands interpretation of the house and the life of Bethune, and the archives. It recommends the purchase and rehabilitation of an adjacent row house to provide space for orientation, restrooms, and offices. Moving visitor orientation to an adjacent building would provide additional visitor services while slightly decreasing the impacts of visitors on the historic structure. In addition, the proposed changes to the archives would expand the audience that could be reached via electronic media. Administrative f unctions would be separate from the visitor areas. Archival research would be concentrated onsite. Collections and processing would also be onsite. When necessary, archival collections would be moved to the Museum Resource Center for preservation and storage.

Alternative 3 expands interpretation to those people wanting longer, more in-depth information on the site and expands outreach programs to accommodate wider audiences. This alternative proposes the purchase or lease of additional nearby space for offices, meetings, and orientation and would decrease ranger-guided tours and increase self-guided tours (compared to existing conditions) of the council house. This alternative also proposes the expansion of the carriage house/archives and increased services to a narrower audience — those people who would be attending seminars and workshops. Orientation and visitation services would be shifted to the new space. This alternative would also increase the number of people reached through outreach programs. Offsite interpretation, including traveling exhibits, would be expanded. Alternative 4 emphasizes interpretation of the life and legacy of Mary McLeod Bethune. This alternative proposes building a larger structure to replace the carriage house and moving the archives offsite to a leased space, providing needed space for restrooms and bookstore. Thus, implementation of alternative 4 would increase exhibit space and provide space for new exhibits. The site staff would provide in-depth interpretation of Dr. Bethune and her contributions, and exhibits in the house would include historic and period furnishings from the years when she used the house as the headquarters for the National Council of Negro Women.

For more information about this document, contact the Site Manager Diann Jacox, Mary McLeod Bethune National Historic Site, 1318 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C., 20005, at 202-673-2402, or via email at [email protected].

U.S. Department of the Interior N ational Park Ser vice SUMMARY

Mary McLeod Bethune, w as a renow ned This general management plan is required educator, organizer, national political leader, to present to the public a range of alterna- president of the National Association of tives for managing the site, including a Colored Women, and founder of the preferred alternative. In this document there National Council of Negro Women. What is are four alternatives. The plan is also now the Mary McLeod Bethune Council required to analyze and present the environ- House National Historic Site w as her official mental and socioeconomic impacts or Washington, D.C., address (1943 49), and consequences of implementing each of it is at this site that Mary McLeod Bethune those alternatives the environmental achieved her greatest national and inter- impact statement part of this document. A national recognition. At this site, the first summary of the alternatives and the headquarters of the National Council of important impacts is given below . Negro Women, Bethune and the council spearheaded strategies and developed programs that advanced the interests of SUMMARY OF ALTERNATIVES African American w omen and the black AND IMPACTS community. The site is also the location of the National Archives for Black Women’s Alternative 1, No Action History. Current operations, w ith limited space, staff, The 1991 legislation that gave the National and budget, w ould continue at the site. No Par k Service the authority to acquire and additional property w ould be acquired or manage this national historic site also leased. Visitor facilities w ould continue to be created a 15-member Federal Advisory inadequate, and facilities w ould remain Commission. This commission participates inaccessible to visitors and employees w ith in an advisory capacity to develop the mobility disabilities. The second-floor, general management plan. The commision single-toilet restroom w ould continue to be is composed of experts in areas relating to used for visitors, including those arriving in the historic site and archives and Dr. groups. The limited administrative and Bethune. visitor orientation functions w ould remain in the council house, and the archives w ould The National Park Service intends to arrive remain in the carriage house, w hich does at a comprehensive direction for managing not provide the physical environment for the site through public participation. There- professional curatorial standards and w ould fore, public input is an important aspect of not have room for storing the additional establishing the desired resource and visitor collections expected. experience conditions that w ill guide the management of the national historic site. The interpretive program, w hich focuses on Dr. Bethune, the council house, and the Many issues and concerns have been National Council of Negro Women, w ould identified by NPS staff, the Federal Advisory continue to be less comprehensive than is Commission, and the general public as part desired. Space for researchers and their of the scoping (initial planning efforts) for work would continue to be inadequate. The this general management plan. Comments council house w ould continue to be pre- were solicited at public meetings, through served as funding permits and in response planning newsletters, and on the Internet. to structural deterioration, w ithout a more proactive preservation plan.

v Summary

The main impacts of implementing this ty. There w ould be additional space for the alternative w ould be that the above- archives, as well as enhanced environ- mentioned undesirable conditions w ould mental protection and updated technological continue and the quality of the visitor access. experience w ould continue to be adversely affected. Alternative 3

Alternative 2 − Preferred The national historic site w ould com- memorate Mary McLeod Bethune through In this alternative the national historic site the establishment of the Bethune Center for would place a dual emphasis on the council Human Rights. The center w ould continue house, w hich would be used as a museum, Dr. Bethune’s legacy by using the council and on the archives. Both the museum and house as a base for stimulating social the archives would be expanded and linked change. While retaining the archival by using the archival materials in changing resources and the house as a museum, the interpretive exhibits and programs. The site w ould provide the place for community interpretation w ould provide a broad and and activist groups to meet and engage in balanced program and a more in-depth activities, w orkshops, and programs. treatment of Dr. Bethune’s role as a public Interpretive themes w ould emphasize Dr. figure and organizer. Bethune’s legacy. Groups using the facilities would include those w ith whom Dr. Bethune Dr. Bethune’s vision of an expansive and the National Council of Negro Women archival collection of African American worked, as well as other organizations that women’s history w ould be achieved. The would encourage social change in accord archives would become a significant, state- with Dr. Bethune’s ideals. Lectures and of-the art research institution and a modern receptions for educational and activist repository that meets current professional groups w ould take place, w ith emphasis on archival management standards. Research literacy and voices of the civil rights and capabilities and services would be improved human rights movement. through the use of advanced technology. Archival research would be concentrated Archival collections also w ould emphasize onsite. Collections and processing w ould mater ials related to social justice and also be onsite. When necessary, archival human rights. Leased or acquired property collections w ould be moved to the Museum and an increase in staff (to 14 from the Resource Center for preservation and current six) w ould be a necessity for storage. Additional acquired property for implementing this alternative. offices and visitor orientation and an increase in staff (to 13 instead of the current The main impacts of implementing this six) would be a necessity for implementing alternative w ould be increased space, which this alternative. would provide an orientation area for groups, more space for exhibits and staff, The main impacts of implementing this and more space for meetings and pro- alternative w ould be increased space, which grams. This space w ould be separate from would provide an orientation area for the council house, requiring programmatic groups, accessibility for those w ith mobility interpretation. There w ould also be more handicaps, and accessible restrooms. It space for the archives, which would have would also provide more space for staff and enhanced environmental protection. The exhibits. The addition of doorw ays would addition of the archival space w ould have have a minor impact on the historic proper- adverse impacts on the carriage house.

vi S UMMA RY

Alternative 4 reconstruction of the carriage house. Moving the archives to a leased facility The national historic site w ould commemo- would open additional space onsite for rate the life and times of Mary McLeod offices, a bookstore, and restrooms, leaving Bethune by managing the council house as more room in the council house for exhibits a traditional NPS historic museum. The site and interpretation. staff would provide in-depth interpretation of Dr. Bethune and her contributions, and exhibits in the house w ould include historic COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT PLAN and period furnishings from the years w hen she used the house as the headquarters for Some minor elements of the preferred the National Council of Negro Women. Mos t alternative and other alternatives w ere of these exhibits w ould be permanent, w ith modified to address comments on the draft some changing exhibits. The emphasis of plan. This Final General Management Plan / the archival collections w ould be to illustrate Environmental Impact Statement includes the highlights of her life and activities as agency letters and letters and responses to well as the era in w hich she lived and the all substantive comments. The final plan w ill contemporaries w ith w hom she w orked. be approved (through a record of decision) Offsite space for the archival collections after a minimum 30-day no-action period. would be a necessity for implementing this See the “ Responses to Comments on the alternative, as w ould hiring one additional Draft Plan” section for details on the s taff memb er . changes in the final plan.

The main impacts of implementing this alternative w ould be the removal and

vii Contents

Introduction

Purpose of and Need for the General Management Plan 3 Purpose and Need 3 The Planning Process 3 Brief Description of the National Historic Site and Its Beginnings 4 Background and Description 4 The Establishment of the National Historic Site 9 Planning Direction and Guidance 10 Site Purposes Why the Site Was Set Aside 10 Site Significance Why It Is Special and Important 10 Interpretive Themes What Visitors Should Know 11 Servicew ide Laws and Policies and Special Site Mandates and Agreements 11 Carrying Capacity 16 Planning Issues 17 Resources and/or Values at Stake in the Planning Process Impact Topics 18 Impact Topics Selected for Further Analysis 18 Impact Topics Eliminated from Further Evaluation 19 Issues beyond the Scope of This Plan 21 Relationship to the Neighborhood, Related Sites, and Other Planning Efforts 22 Relationship to Neighborhood 22 Related Sites in Washington, D.C. 22 Relationship to other Planning Efforts in Washington, D.C. 24 Related Sites Outside Washington, D.C. 25

Alternatives, Including the Preferred Alternative

Introduction 29 The Alternatives 29 Alternatives or Actions Considered but Eliminated from Further Study 29 Alternative 1: No Action 30 Overall Concept 30 Council House 30 Carriage House 30 New Interpretive, Administrative, or Archival Space 30 Alternative 2: Dual Emphasis on Museum and Archives (Preferred Alternative) 32 Overall Concept 32 Council House 34 Carriage House 34 New Interpretive, Administrative, or Archival Space 34 Alternative 3: Emphasis on Activities and Programs 36 Overall Concept 36 Council House 36

ix CONTENTS

Carriage House 38 New Interpretive, Administrative, or Archival Space 38 Alternative 4: Emphasis on Museum Operations 39 Overall Concept 39 Council House 39 Carriage House 39 New Interpretive, Administrative, or Archival Space 41 Comparative Costs of General Management Plan Alternatives 42 Environmentally Preferred Alternative 44 Mitigating Measures 51 Recommendations for Further Research and Planning 52

Affected Environment

Cultural Resources 55 A Short Biography Mary McLeod Bethune: 1875 1955 55 Archeological Resources 65 Ethnographic Resources 65 Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site A Brief History 65 Council House 68 Furnishings 69 Carriage House 70 Historic Landscape Design 70 National Archives for Black Women’s History 70 Visitor Use / Experience 73 Socioeconomic Environment 75 Population and Economy 75 Land Use 76 Visual Quality 76 Transportation and Site Access 76 Site Administration and Operations 77 Structures 77 Operations and Maintenance 78 Staff 78

Environmental Consequences

Introduction 81 Cumulative Impacts 81 Impair ment of Site Resources 81 Impacts on Cultural Resources 83 Methodology 83 Intensity of Impacts 83 Duration of Impacts 84 Type of Impacts 84

x Contents

Alternative 1 (No Action) 84 Alternative 2 − (Preferred) 86 Alternative 3 88 Alternative 4 89 Impacts on Visitor Use / Experience 92 Methodology 92 Alternative 1 92 Alternative 2 (Preferred) 93 Alternative 3 95 Alternative 4 96 Impacts on the Socioeconomic Environment 99 Methodology 99 Alternative 1 99 Alternative 2 (Preferred) 100 Alternative 3 102 Alternative 4 103 Environmental Justice 105 Impacts on Site Administration and Operations 106 Methodology 106 Alternative 1 106 Alternative 2 (Preferred) 107 Alternative 3 108 Alternative 4 109 Other Impacts 111 Unavoidable Adverse Effects 111 Relationship of Short-Term Uses of the Environment and the Maintenance and Enhancement of Long-Ter m Productivity 113 Irreversible or Irretrievable Commitments of Resources 115 Impacts on Energy Requirements and Conservation Potential 115 Consultation and Coordination 116 Scoping and Other Public Involvement Efforts 116 List of Agencies and Organizations Receiving a Copy of This Final Management Plan / Environmental Impact Statement 118 Responses to Comments on the Draft Plan 120

Appendixes

Appendix A: Public Laws and Reports Related to the Site 129 Appendix B: Letter Regarding Endandered Species 147 Appendix C: Cost Estimate Details 149 Selected References 152 Preparers and Consultants 154 Index 155

xi CONTENTS

Maps and Illustrations

Vicinity 6 Logan Circle Historic District 7 Site Circulation Plan 8 Alternative 1 No Action 31 Alternative 2 Dual Emphasis 33 Alternative 3 Emphasis on Activities and Programs 37 Alternative 4 Emphasis on Museum 40

Tables

1. Summary of Comparative Costs 43 2. Environmentally Preferred Alternative Analysis 44 3. Summary of Alternative Actions 46 4. Summary Comparison of Impacts of Implementing the Alternatives 48 5. Cultural Resource Compliance w ith Section 106 118

xii INTRODUCTION PURPOS E OF A ND NEED FOR T HE GENERAL M ANAGEM ENT PLA N

PURPOSE AND NEED This general management plan w as developed by a multidisciplinary team that General management plans are required for includes NPS staff and four members of the each unit of the national park system. The Federal Advisory Commission that serve purpose of this general mangement plan is directly on the general management plan to provide a clearly defined direction for planning team. visitor use and resource preservation and to provide a basic foundation for decision Because the National Park Service sees making and managing the national historic public input as an important aspect of site for the next 10 to 15 years. establishing the desired resource and visitor experience conditions that w ill guide the The Mary McLeod Bethune Council House management of the national historic site, National Historic Site is a relatively new unit public participation w as solicited in the of the national par k system. This is the first planning process. This public participation is NPS comprehensive management plan described in the “Consultation and prepared for the national historic site. This Coordination” section of this document. general management plan provides the Suggestions from the public have been guidance for managing the Mary McLeod incorporated into the proposed manage- Bethune Council House National Historic ment alternatives in this document. Site. A general management plan purpose- fully takes a long-range view and provides a The National Park Service is required to framew ork for proactive decision making, present a range of alternatives for managing including decisions on visitor use, managing the site, including a preferred alternative the natural and cultural resources at the (the “Alternatives including the Preferred site, developing the site, and addressing Alternative” section), and to analyze the future opportunities and problems. environmental and socioeconomic impacts or consequences of implementing each of the alternatives (the “ Environmental Conse- THE PLANNING PROCESS quences” section of this document). Various elements of the preferred alternative and The 1991 legislation that gave the National other alternatives w ere modified to address Par k Service the authority to acquire and comments on the draft plan. This Final manage this national historic site (see General Management Plan / Environmental appendix A) also created a 15-member Impact Statement includes agency letters Federal Advisory Commission (see next and responses to all substantive comments. section). This commission, composed of The final plan w ill be approved (through a experts in areas relating to the historic site record of decision) after a minimum 30-day and archives and Dr. Bethune, participates no-action period. See the “ Responses to in an advisory capacity to help develop the Comments” section for details on the general management plan. changes in the final plan.

3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE NATIONAL HISTORIC SIT E AND ITS BEGINNINGS

BAC KGROUND A ND DESC RI PTION has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Logan Circle Historic Mary McLeod Bethune, w as a renow ned District (see Logan Circle Historic District educator, organizer, national political leader, and Site Circulation Plan maps). president of the National Association of Colored Women, and founder of the During the past century, this neighborhood National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). has changed from an affluent, nearly all- What is now the Mary McLeod Bethune white community, to an enclave of the Council House National Historic Site w as African American elite, and finally to a her official Washington, D.C., address racially mixed district. In recent years, (1943 49), and it is at this site that Mary several of the larger structures in the McLeod Bethune achieved her greatest neighborhood have been converted to national and international recognition, condominiums, older structures are being receiving heads of state, government rehabilitated, and vacant lots are being officials, and leaders from across the world. developed for new building units. Dr. At this site, the first headquarters of the Bethune’s association w ith the house made National Council of Negro Women, Bethune the building a center of significant political and the council spearheaded strategies and activity during the 1940s as a meeting developed programs that advanced the place for the National Council of Negro interests of African American w omen and Women, w hich was often attended by the black community. The site is also the prominent figures, including Eleanor location of the National Archives for Black Roosevelt. The house has been modified Women’s History. over the years, and a fire during the 1960s caused extensive water and smoke damage The site, at 1318 Vermont Avenue NW, to the interior. The building structure and its Washington, D.C., (see Vicinity map) front architectural façade still have a high includes a row house and a carriage house. degree of historic integrity. The rear porch/ The brick row house, constructed in 1875 in patio area has had extensive alterations. the Second Victorian Empire architectural Although the house has been modified, the style, has a three-story façade, raised basic floor plan remains unchanged. The basement, bay w indow , and tin-covered interior has been restored to a high level of mansard roof. The structure reflects many quality, but retains little historic integrity. of the changes in building regulations during the development of new neighborhoods in The brick carriage house contains the the District of Columbia. Its transition from a National Archives for Black Women’s single-family home for the upper middle History the largest archive that is class in the late 19th century, to a residence dedicated only to the documentation of and shop in the early 20th century, to the African American w omen’s history. Before headquarters of the National Council of Dr. Bethune’s time, black w omen’s history Negro Women from 1943 to 1966, and now had been neglected because the primary to a house museum and archival facility, sources needed to document that history exemplifies the shifting nature of the Logan had not been collected and w ere thus Circle area. Architecturally, the neighbor- unavailable for researchers. These archival hood has retained its historic character and collections are serving as a research

4

Brief Description of the National Historic Site and Its Beginnings center and an archival repository for the Site as part of the national park system. A study of African American w omen’s 15-member Mary McLeod Bethune Council achievements and heritage. This com- House National Historic Site Advisory Com- memoration of the lives and contributions of mission (the Federal Advisory Commission) African American w omen perpetuates Mary was appointed to participate in an advisory McLeod Bethune’s legacy of leadership, capacity in developing the general manage- commitment, and service. ment plan. This commission is composed of 15 members appointed for four-year terms. Constructed during the early 1890s, the The membership is composed of subject- tw o-story brick carriage house has under- matter experts and members of organiza- gone significant interior and exterior tions that directly relate to Dr. Bethune, changes. The inter ior w as completely gutted including members of the National Council during 1988-91 and converted into a space of Negro Women and the Bethune Museum to house the archives. On the exterior, one and Archives; experts on the history of small arched brick lintel in the east w all is African American w omen, archival manage- the only evidence of the original fenestra- ment, historic preservation; and three mem- tion. Because of its location w ithin the bers w ho represent the general public. Four boundaries of a national historic site, the members of this commission are on the carriage house is considered to be eligible management plan planning team. Members for listing on the National Register of of this commission meet and consult w ith Historic Places as a contributing element to the planning team on matters relating to the the site. management and development of the national historic site.

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE The site w as acquired by the National Park NATIONAL HISTORIC SIT E Service in 1994, and in 1995 staff were hired to manage the site. The site w as The Mary McLeod Bethune Council House opened to the public as a national park was designated a national historic site system site on October 1, 1995. The legisla- under Public Law 97-329 (96 Stat. 1615), tion that authorized the National Park October 15, 1982. This act authorized and Service to acquire the site also gave the directed the secretary of the interior through secretary of the interior the author ization to the National Park Service to enter into enter into cooperative agreements w ith agreements w ith the National Council of organizations aligned w ith the historic site. Negro Women so that the secretary might The National Park Service currently has a provide technical and financial assistance in cooperative agreement w ith the Bethune restoring and interpreting the house Museum and Archives, Inc. and the National museum and associated archives. Council of Negro Women, Inc. The Bethune Museum and Archives and the National Under the provisions of Public Law 102-211 Council of Negro Women, Inc. provide (105 Stat. 1652), December 11, 1991, the public programs on a monthly basis and in National Park Service w as authorized to return are provided office space, admini- acquire and manage the Mary McLeod strative support, storage space, and Bethune Council House National Historic financial assistance.

9 PLANNING DIRECTION AND GUIDANCE

Site management is directed by law , policy, Bethune and the National Council of and planning documents. Planning for a Negro Women. general management plan begins as the • Administer the site in accordance w ith planning team looks at the site purpose(s) the legislation to ensure the site's and significance and primary interpretive preservation and interpretation. themes. Then they look at the special • Enter into cooperative agreements w ith mandates and the laws and policies that nonprofit groups/organizations as they must also follow before they start necessary to carry out the mission of the preparing a general management plan. Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site.

SITE PURPOSES WHY T HE SITE WAS SET ASIDE SITE SIGNIFICANCE WHY IT IS SPECIAL AND IMPORTANT The reasons for which the site was established provide the most funda- Significance statements define the mental criteria against which the important attributes that relate to the appropriateness of actions proposed site’s purpose and why the site was in the general management plan are established. tested. Site significance statements capture the The follow ing purpose statements represent essence of the site’s importance to the the National Park Service’s interpretation of nation’s natural and cultural heritage. the legislative mandates that established Understanding the site’s significance helps the site the reasons w hy the site w as set mangers set protection priorities and deter- aside are to mine desirable visitor experiences. The follow ing significance statements have been • Interpret the life and legacy of Mary developed for the site. McLeod Bethune. • Document and interpret the history of • The Mary McLeod Bethune Council African American w omen and their House National Historic Site served as organizations during the Bethune era, the headquarters of the National Council 1875 1955. of Negro Women from 1943 66. Dr. • Document and interpret the history of Mary McLeod Bethune, renow ned African American w omen in the struggle educator, organizer, national political for civil rights in the United States. leader, a president of the National • Collect and preserve the individual and Association of Colored Women, and collective historical records of African founder and president of the National American w omen and their organiza- Council of Negro Women. tions in keeping w ith the Bethune era and legacy. • It is at this site that Mary McLeod • Ensure the preservation, rehabilitation, Bethune achieved her greatest national and maintenance of historic structures and international recognition. and features of the site to the period of most historical significance, 1943 66. • At the Mary McLeod Bethune Council • Preserve the historical furnishings and House National Historic Site, the first artifacts relating to Mary McLeod headquarters of the National Council of

10 Planning Direction and Guidance

Negro Women, Bethune and the Council legislative purpose and focus the efforts of spearheaded strategies and developed the site staff during the life of the plan. programs that advanced the interests of African American w omen and the Black The principal interpretive theme of Mary community. McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site is to commemorate the life, • The site is the location of the National achievements, and legacy of Dr. Bethune. Archives for Black Women’s History Accordingly, the planning team for the archival collections that are dedicated general management plan and the Federal only to the documentation of African Advisory Commission for the historic site American w omen, their history, and their have selected the follow ing history themes organizations. to support the site’s principal theme:

• personal life INTERPRETIVE THEMES WHAT • religion/moral rear mament VISITORS SHOULD KNOW • education • organizations “Interpretation” is the word that • World War II activities the National Park Service uses to • democracy and Americanism describe an educational activity • civil rights that is designed to stimulate • race relations curiosity, convey messages to the public, and help the public • women understand, enjoy, appreciate, • internationalis m and protect the resources. • heritage documentation Interpretation includes telling visitors what there is to see and The themes, according to the planning team how to get there as well as and the Federal Advisory Commission, determining what visitors should should be divided into four modules: learn about the site and how they would best learn that information 1. Bethune – the person through media such as an 2. Bethune – the philosopher (stressing audiovisual program, through a the topical areas of w omen, education, self-guiding brochure, a guided religion, democracy and Americanism, tour, or some other means. and internationalism) 3. Bethune – the activist (stressing all The primary interpretive themes are eleven topical areas) based on the site’s purpose, 4. Bethune – the legacy significance, and primary resources. The primary interpretive themes are the ideas that are so important that SERVICEWIDE LAWS AND POLICIES every visitor should have the AND SPECIAL SITE MANDATES AND opportunity to understand them. AGREEMENTS

Although the primary interpretive themes Some of the future visitor experience and are critical to a visitor’s understanding of the resource conditions at the national historic site’s significance, they are not a list of site are specified by law and policy. For everything there is to tell about the site. The example, the National Park Service does follow ing themes have been developed by not have the choice to do anything but the planning team and the Federal Advisory preserve the council house (a historic Commission. These themes narrow the structure and a key element of the purpose

11 INTRODUCTION for which the site w as established). These Servicew ide Laws and Policies specified elements include abiding by the large body of law s and policies that are General. As with all units of the national applicable to all national park system units park system, management of Mary McLeod and the site’s purpose and significance as Bethune Council House National Historic well as any special mandates or commit- Site is guided by the 1916 Organic Act that ments that may apply to a particular national created the National Park Service; the park system unit (see below ). All decisions General Authorities Act of 1970, and the act made through general management of March 27, 1978, relating to the manage- planning must fit w ithin the parameters ment of the national park system. Other provided by these law s and policies. applicable federal laws and regulations are the Endangered Species Act and the There are also decisions to be made w here National Historic Preservation Act. law , policy, and regulations do not provide clear guidance or limits. For example, do w e Many resource treatments and some as- preserve the council house by limiting the pects of visitor experience are prescribed by number of visitors, limiting visitors to one the National Historic Preservation Act of floor or two floors or all three floors, not 1966 and the A mericans w ith Disabilities limiting visitors, or excluding visitors? Act, among others, and NPS policy. Decisions like these, w ith more than one Although attaining some of these conditions possible answ er, will be based on the is sometimes deferred due to funding or purpose, significance, and the laws and staffing limitations, the National Park policies mentioned above, as w ell as the Service w ill continue to strive to implement significant resources that are to be these policies w ith or w ithout a new general protected/preserved, public expectations management plan. For instance, the general and concerns, resource analysis, an management plan is not needed to decide evaluation of the natural, cultural, and social whether or not it is appropriate to protect impacts of alternative courses of action, and historic structures, archeological sites, consideration of long-term costs. These provide access for visitors with disabilities, decisions are the “heart” of a general or conserve artifacts. management plan. The conditions prescribed by law s, regu- There are often conditions of, for example, lations, policies, agreements, and mandates visitor use or resource preservation or most pertinent to the planning and manage- development of the site, that are specified in ment of the national historic site are the legislation that establishes that summarized in this section. particular national park system unit in this document these conditions are callled The site is to be managed as part of the special mandates or agreements. At this local (site neighbors) as well as a part of the national historic site, for example, one greater social, economic, and cultural mandate in the legislation w as that an system. Current policy requires the advisory commisson w ill participate in an follow ing: advisory capacity in developing the general management plan.

12 Planning Direction and Guidance

Law or Policy Management Direction / Action Uniform Relocation This act, enacted in 1970 and amended in 1987, provides for uniform Assistance and and equi tabl e treatment of persons di splaced from thei r homes, Real Property businesses, or farms by federal and federally assisted programs and Acquisition Policies established uniform and equitable land acquisition policies for federal Act (PL 91-646) and federally assisted programs. The act ensures that property owners receive fair market value based on an appraisal in addition to most title transfer costs. Displaced owners and tenants receive assistance in finding comparable replacement property and compensation for moving expenses. NPS Management When private land is proposed for acquisition, the National Park Service Policies 3:3 will make every reasonable effort to reach an agreement with the owner on the purchase price. If an agreement cannot be reached, the National Park Service will take further steps in accordance with authorities and congressional directions that apply to the park in question. Condemnation is generally considered as a last resort. However, acquisition by condemnation may be employed to establish just compensation to clear title, or to prevent damage to park resources when no other means of protection is adequate. Omnibus Parks and Subsection (b) provides the National Park Service with generic authority Publi c Lands to make minor boundary adjustments to park units. This subsection Management Act of amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to 1996 authorize the secretary of the Department of the Interior to make administrative minor boundary adjustments under the following conditions:

1) The area to be added and the area to be deleted must be less than 200 acres and cannot be more than five percent of the total Federal acreage authorized for the unit.

2) The boundary adjustment must not be a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, as determined by the Secretary of the Interior Department.

3) The total appraised value of the area to be added and of the area to be del eted from the uni t must not exceed $750,000.

4) The proposed boundary adjustment may not be an element of a more comprehensive boundary change.

5) The proposed boundary adjustment must be subject to a public review and comment period.

6) The Director of the NPS must obtain written consent from all property owners that would be directly affected by the proposed minor boundary adjustment.

7) Lands to be added under the proposed minor boundary adjustment must be adjacent to lands already administered by the Director of the National Park Service.

Subsection (b) also stipulates that minor boundary revisions that involve only deletions of land require an Act of Congress.

13 INTRODUCTION

Law or Policy Management Direction / Action NPS Management Because the site is an integral part of larger regional environments, the Policies National Park Service will work cooperatively with others to anticipate, avoid, and resolve potential conflicts, to protect site resources, and to address mutual interests in the quality of life for community residents. Regional cooperation will involve federal, state, and local agencies, neighboring landowners, and all other concerned parties.

The Park Service will continue to establish and foster partnerships with public and private organizations to achieve the purposes and mission of the site. Partnerships will be sought for resource protection, research, education, and visitor enjoyment purposes.

Site staff will keep landowners, land managers, local governments, and the general public informed about site management activities. Periodic consultations will occur with landowners and communities affected by site visitors and management actions.

The National Park Service will work closely with local, state, federal agencies, and partners whose programs affect, or are affected by, activities at the site.

Cultural Resources. Current law s and policies require that the follow ing conditions be achieved for historic properties (e.g., buildings, structures, and cultural landscapes) at the site:

Law or Policy Management Direction / Action National Historic Preservation Act; Executive Historic properties are inventoried and their Order 11593; Archeological and Historic significance and integrity are evaluated Preservation Act; the Secretary of the Interior’s under National Register of Historic Places Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and criteria. Historic Preservation; Programmatic Memorandum of Agreement among the The qualities that contribute to the eligibility National Park Service, the Advisory Council on for listing or listing of historic properties on Historic Preservation, and the National Council the NRHP are protected in accordance with of State Historic Preservation Officers (1995); the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. NPS Management Policies

Current law s and policies require that the follow ing conditions be achieved at the site to protect and preserve site collections (museum objects and archival collections):

Law or Policy Management Direction / Action National Historic Preservation Act; Archeological and All museum obj ects and Historic Preservation Act; Archeological Resources manuscripts are identified and Protection Act; NPS Standards for NPS Museum inventoried, and their significance is Collections Management, NPS Museum Handbook, determined and documented. NPS Records Management Gui del ine, Nati onal Archives and Records Administration Standards, NPS The qualities that contribute to the Cultural Resources Management Guideline, and significance of collections are Museum Properties Management Act of 1955. protected in accordance with established standards.

14 Planning Direction and Guidance

Natural Resources. The few natural resources at the site w ill not be affected by actions proposed in this management plan; applicable laws and policies for natural resources are unnecessary for this discussion.

Visitor Use and Safety and Accessibility. Current law s and policies require that the follow ing conditions be achieved in national park system units/the national historic site:

Law or Policy Management Direction / Action NPS Management Policies Visitor and employee safety and health are protected. NPS Organic Act; site’s enabling legislation; Visitors understand and appreciate site values NPS Management Policies and resources and have the information neces- sary to adapt to site environments; visitors have opportunities to enjoy the sites in ways that leave resources unimpaired for future generations. NPS Organic Act; site’s enabling legislation; Si te recreati onal uses are promoted and Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations; regulated, and basic visitor needs are met in NPS Management Policies keeping with site purposes. NPS Management Policies prohibit private uses of historic structures. Americans with Disabilities Act; To the extent feasible, facilities, programs, and Architectural Barriers Act; Rehabilitation services are accessible to and usable by all Act; NPS Management Policies people, including those with disabilities. NPS Management Policies; 1998 Executive Visitors who use federal facilities and services Summary to Congress, Recreational Fee for outdoor recreation may be required to pay a Demonstration Program, Progress Report to greater share of the cost of providing those Congress, Volume I Overview and Summary (U.S. Department of the Interior, opportunities than the population as a whole. National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wi ldli fe Servi ce, Bureau of Land Management; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service)

Site Mandates and Agreements

Law or Policy Management Direction / Action Section 3(b) of Public Law 102-211 (105 Stat. 1652), enacted into law on December 11, 1991, authorized the secretary of the Department of the Interior (through the National Park Service) “to enter into a cooperative agreement with nonprofit organizations dedicated to preserving and interpreting the life and work of Mary McLeod Bethune and the history and contributions of African American women”

(A) to provide to the public such programs, seminars, and lectures as are appropriate to interpret the life and work of Mary McLeod Bethune and the history and contributions of African American women, and (B) to administer the archives currently located at the historic site, including providing reasonable access to the archives by scholars and other interested parties.

15 INTRODUCTION

Law or Policy Management Direction / Action Section 3(2) authorized the secretary “to provide space and administrative support for such nonprofit organization.” The National Park Section 3(c) of this act provided that the national historic site “shall Service will work be operated and managed in accordance with a General Manage- toward impl ementi ng ment Plan.” An advisory commission appointed under terms in an approved man- specified in Section 4 of the act “shall fully participate in an advisory agement plan as capacity with the Secretary in the development of the General directed in the Management Plan.” The Secretary and the advisory commission legislation. “shall meet and consult on matters relating to the management and development of the historic site as often as necessary, but at least semi annuall y.”

CARRYING CAPACITY comfortably be accommodated; (4) there is a need for flexibility in providing activities for The General Authorities Act of 1970 (PL 91- scheduled groups (e.g., w hen a program 383), as amended in 1978 ( PL 95-625), and calls for a class to visit the exhibit area, it the National Park Service’s Management should be available); (5) it is not alw ays Policies require general management plans possible to exactly choreograph the move- to address the issue of visitor carrying ment of groups and other visitors; (6) there capacity. Carrying capacity is a measure w ill be exhibits and other fixtures that used by the National Park Service to ensure reduce overall space; and (7) circulation that the integrity of its resources is not corridors can be bottlenecks, especially in overly impacted by visitors, and that the the event of emergencies. Further more, the quality of the visitor experience is not limitations of available staff often dictate the diminished by overcrowding. The process is numbers of visitors that any particular re- accomplished in accord w ith the purpose of source can accommodate at any given time. the site and site management objectives. The experience of interpreters at the council The carrying capacity concept assists in house is that visitors start complaining managing visitor activities along w ith natural about the quality of house tours w hen the and cultural resources in a w ay that is group size goes over 12. Due to noise, only consistent w ith the site’s authorizing one tour can be on each floor at a time. The legislation. It is useful in helping managers circulation from floor to floor is limited to the determine the appropriate type and intensity tw o staircases, one in the front of the house of facilities and activities in specific areas of and one in the back, w hich further limits the the site and the number of people to be number of tours that can occur simultane- accommodated to give visitors a quality ously to tw o. experience w ithout damaging the resources. Taking these factors into consideration, the Several additional factors need to be con- visitor experience and circulation become sidered for determining carrying capacity: the limiting factors of carrying capacity for (1) visitors must be able to move from one the council house. Based on a group size of area to another; (2) sound carries w ithin the 15, a 20- minute video follow ed by a one- council house one group can inadvertently hour tour, a staff of tw o interpreters, and the degrade the experience of another; (3) existing operating hours, it has been exhibits and rooms are of limited size, determined that the overall carrying capacity impacting the number of visitors that can

16 Planning Direction and Guidance

should be about 105 people per day in the to visitors w ith disabilities and does not council house. meet the needs of groups. ƒ The room arrangement in the council Researchers at the carriage house require house is not conducive to a high-quality desk and study space. The existing layout visitor experience. The current mix of administrative functions and visitor services allow s space for two moderately sized does not allow efficient site operations or workstations and, therefore, two use of space or flexibility. More space is researchers at a time. needed for administrative offices. ƒ The archival collections in the carriage Figures for both the council house and house are catalogued and processed, but carriage house might require adjustment as the entire collections exceed the archival experience accumulates. storage space; part of the collections are stored offsite in leased space. More collec- tions are expected. Although some climate PLANNING ISSUES control equipment has been installed, the carriage house has no dehumidifier, vapor Many issues and concerns have been barrier, or fire sprinkler system, and the identified by NPS staff, the Federal Advisory insulation is inadequate. Therefore the Commission, and the general public as part structure does not meet current archival of the scoping (initial planning efforts) for standards. this general management plan. Comments were solicited at public meetings, through ƒ The current computer, communication, planning newsletters, and on the Internet. and Internet systems need updating. For more information on the comments ƒ There is inadequate room to provide to received, see the "Consultation and the public such programs, seminars, and Coordination" section. Follow ing is the list of lectures as are appropriate to interpret the issues from these scoping sessions: life and w ork of Mary McLeod Bethune and the history and contributions of African ƒ Most of the site’s visitors are school American w omen. groups, commercial tour groups, or heritage ƒ The interpretive program is not as com- tour groups that arrive by bus. The visitor prehensive as it should be. reception area is the only space that can ƒ Interpretation is not provided for visitors serve as an orientation area. The house with disabilities, either directly or by pro- does not easily accommodate large groups. viding other methods of interpretation. ƒ The council house w hich provides ƒ Interpretation of the archival materials in space for all visitor orientation and the current exhibits is lacking. interpretation, a cooperative association ƒ Par king for both visitors and park staff is bookstore, most administrative offices, and developing interpretive programs is limited to on-street parking in a high inadequate for these purposes. demand urban area. ƒ The carriage house w hich provides ƒ Links to and partnerships w ith related space for researchers, a small reference sites interpreting the history and education library, some administrative offices, archival of African American w omen have not yet storage, and w ork areas for processing been established. archival collections is inadequate for these ƒ Because of the space, staff, and budget purposes. limitations, and the continuing conflicts ƒ Neither structure accommodates visitors betw een administrative and visitor functions, w ith disabilities. The council house and the the approach to managing the site, carriage house cannot accommodate archives, and educational programs is more additional staff, but all functions on the site reactive, and NPS managers w ould like it to require more staff to operate adequately. be proactive. ƒ The single-toilet restroom on the second ƒ Many people in the Washington, D.C. floor of the council house is not accessible area and beyond are not aw are of the

17 INTRODUCTION

establishment of the national historic site. rationale for dismissing specific topics from Consequently, potential visitors are not further consideration. experiencing the stories and educational values the site offers. ƒ There is no overall plan to balance the IMPACT TOPICS SELECTED many needs. FOR FURT HER A NALYSI S

Impact topics selected for further analysis RESOURCES AND/OR VALUES AT are cultural resources, visitor use, socio- STAKE IN THE PLANNING PROCESS economic environment, and national historic IMPACT TOPICS site administration and operations. These topics are described in the subsequent This document is a general management “Affected Environment” section and plan / environmental impact statement. The analyzed in the “ Environmental general management plan is integrated w ith Consequences” section. environmental consequences. In the “Environmental Consequences” section, the impacts (affects) of implementing the Cultural Resources proposed general management plan and the alternatives are analyzed. Laws and The preferred alternative and other alter- policies, and sometimes public input, also natives have the potential for effects, pri- set parameters for what impact topics need marily beneficial, on cultural resources. to be analyzed. How ever, applicable topics These include effects on the historic can and do vary for the various places structures, furnishings, district, and administered by the National Park Service. landscape and the archival collections. For instance, the National Park Service is Alternatives 3 and 4 involve rehabilitation or required to avoid, to the extent possible, the demolition of the carriage house, and the adverse impacts associated w ith the effects of these actions w ill be analyzed destruction or modification of w etlands. At a further. site like the council house, w here there are no w etlands, this impact topic (impacts on wetlands) can be dismissed. In other w ords, Visitor Use to focus analysis of the potential impacts of implementing the alternatives, specific The alternatives w ould directly affect visitor impact topics w ere selected for further experience and how visitors use the site. analysis and others w ere eliminated from The impact topics affecting visitor use are further evaluation. Relevant impact topics the amount of facility space, number of staff, were selected based on agency and public amount of crowding, accessibility, and concerns, regulatory and planning opportunity to learn the stories. requirements, and know n resource issues.

Subsequent discussions of the environment Socioeconomic Environment that w ould be affected (in the “Affected Environment” section) and the environ- The potential impact of the alternatives on mental impacts related to each alternative the socioeconomic environment is a (in the “ Environmental Consequences” consideration requiring analysis for this section) focus primarily on these impact project. Impact topics include the local topics. A brief rationale for the selection of economy and population, land use, and each topic is given below , as well as the visual quality, transportation and site access, and environmental justice.

18 Planning Direction and Guidance

Site Administration and Operations Removing the carriage house and con- structing a new building behind the council The alternatives w ould directly affect house w ould potentially result in an increase administration and operations of the in fugitive dust from soil exposure and national historic site. Topics include disturbance. How ever, this effect would adequate space, staff parking, number of occur only during the construction period staff, and staff efficiency. and w ould be localized. Water or dust control agents w ould be applied during construction as necessary to control dust. IMPACT TOPICS ELIMINATED No long-ter m impacts on air quality from FROM FURT HER EV ALUATI ON facility operation w ould be anticipated.

The impact topics eliminated from further evaluation are briefly discussed below and Water Resources/Floodplains/Wetlands w ill not be analyzed in detail in this document. Most of these topics relate to There are no inter mittent or perennial natural resources, because there are almost streams w ithin or adjacent to the project no natural resources at the site. area. The implementation of any of the alternatives w ould not be anticipated to noticeably add to local w ater and waste- Air Quality water treatment requirements. Therefore, impacts on the system’s capacity and the The 1970 Clean Air Act requires federal area’s w ater quality w ould be negligible. land managers to protect air quality, w hile the NPS Management Policies address the Executive Order 11988 (“Floodplain Man- need to analyze air quality during site agement”) requires an examination of planning. The standards are levels of air impacts on floodplains and of the potential quality necessary to protect public health risk involved in having facilities w ithin flood- and prevent any degradation or har m to the plains. According to the Federal Emergency total environment. Management Agency, the project area is not within either a 100-year or 500-year flood- The entire Washington, D.C., metropolitan plain but is in a zone of “minimal flooding.” area and adjacent counties in Virginia and The nearest designated floodplain is Maryland are classified as nonattainment for associated w ith Rock Creek, w hich is more the ozone national ambient air quality than a mile northw est of the national historic standard. Ozone, a secondary pollutant, is site and includes a 100-year floodplain. formed w hen vehicular emissions (volatile organic hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides) Executive Order 11990 requires federal combine w ith sunlight as a catalyst. agencies to avoid impacts on w etlands Exceeding the standard generally occurs in where possible. Wetlands are identified on the summer and is regionw ide rather than the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National localized. The area is in compliance w ith all Wetland Inventory map for the Washington other standards for pollutants. The imple- D.C./Maryland area. The map indicates the mentation of any of the alternatives w ould nearest delineated w etlands are primarily not be expected to result in a sufficient within the banks of Rock Creek, more than amount of vehicular traffic to raise the level a mile northw est of the national historic site. of ozone and further exceed the attainment There w ould be no impacts on floodplains or standard. Any increases in vehicle wetlands anticipated from implementing any emissions w ould have negligible effects on of the alternatives. local air quality.

19 INTRODUCTION

Soils Hazardous Materials

Under alternative 4, construction of a A hazardous materials inventory (level 1) building in the courtyard area behind the was conducted for the National Park council house w ould disturb those soils. Service in October 1992 to identify potential Those soils are in an urban, developed area hazards. The inventory included data and have been previously disturbed. Best collection and record searches regarding management practices for erosion control past and current land uses and materials would be implemented during construction. handling to identify potential sources of hazardous materials. The survey determined there are no know n potentially Vegetation and Wildlife hazardous materials sources at locations near the council house. The National Environmental Policy Act requires the impacts of federal actions on An onsite reconnaissance survey included components of affected ecosystems to be testing tw o samples of insulation for asbes- examined. NPS policy is to protect the tos. There w ere no asbestos-containing abundance and diversity of natural resour- mater ials observed in the samples. ces. The project area is situated in a highly developed urban setting that has been A survey of surfaces that may contain lead- cleared of natural vegetation. Vegetation based paints or solders w as conducted at and w ildlife species in the area are those the council house and carriage house. associated w ith disturbed areas and human Grained w ood surfaces on the first floor and development in large metropolitan areas. plaster surfaces were not tested because Disturbance related to construction w ork in many of these surfaces are new since the alternatives 3 or 4 w ould occur on less than fire in the 1960s or from rehabilitation w ork J acre of previously disturbed ground and in the 1980s. Test results revealed lead would not affect natural w ildlife habitat. paint on historic w ood surfaces, trim, and Therefore, no appreciable impacts on windows throughout the house, and w ater vegetation or w ildlife are expected. supply pipes contain lead solder. No lead paint w as detected on the w indow jambs or sills on the southeast façade of the house or Threatened or Endangered Species or in the carriage house. Species of Special Concern The surveyor recommended replacing w ater The Endangered Species Act requires an lines in the future and to use bottled w ater in examination of impacts of federal actions on the interim. Lead paint found on surfaces federally threatened or endangered species. within the house should not be a health The project area is comprised exclusively of threat to employees. How ever, when disturbed habitats in an urban environment. windows on the front of the building are The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service w as repaired or trim w ork is stripped and contacted in June 2000 to provide informa- repainted, appropriate precautions should tion about the potential occurrence of be taken w hen performing the w ork to species that are threatened, endangered, or protect the health of painters and office of special concern in the D.C. vicinity. workers. Except for occasional transient individuals, no federally listed threatened or endangered The NPS Office of Lands, Resources, and species are know n to exist in the project Planning personnel recommend further area (see appendix B). testing for asbestos and lead paint if

20 Planning Direction and Guidance rehabilitation or construction w ork is be required. Consequently it can be performed at the site. assumed that there w ould not be sufficient hazardous materials at the site to pose a Because the building selected for additional threat to the health of visitors or staff under interpretive and administrative space in any alternative. alternative 2 is privately ow ned and has not been evaluated for hazardous materials, and because the buildings for additional ISSUES BEYOND THE interpretive and administrative space in SCOPE OF T HIS PLAN alternatives 3 and 4 have not been selected, the potential for site-specific hazardous Many ideas about the national historic site mater ials is unknow n. It is the policy of the from staff, the public, and the Federal Department of the Inter ior (Secretary’s Advisory Commission w ere generated as Order 3127) and the National Park Service a result of the planning/scoping process and that a deter mination of the presence or responses to the newsletters. Some of absence of hazardous materials be made these ideas are beyond the scope of this before real estate is acquired. Any general plan. We w ill explore these ideas hazardous materials on a site must be further as w e prepare more detailed plans remediated before the site is accepted for and designs to implement this plan. acquisition or lease. Written certification of the absence of hazardous materials w ould

21 RELATIONSHIP TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, RELATED SITES, AND OTHER PLANNING EFFORTS

RELATIONSHIP TO NEIGHBORHOOD century residential neighborhood con- structed around a large open urban space. At the time of construction, the neighbor- The focal point of the district is Logan hood of the council house w as a fashion- Circle, an important element of the 1791-92 able residential area. Today, the neighbor- L’Enfant Plan and Ellicott Plans for the hood of the council house is a mix of Federal City. Impressive three- and four- residences, commercial buildings, and story townhouses, closely grouped, public facilities. Some row houses and other surround the circle and some of the radial large single-family homes in the immediate streets. Nearly all w ere constructed vicinity have been converted to apartments betw een 1875 and 1900 and present an or condominiums. Older structures are almost solid street façade of Late Victorian being rehabilitated, and vacant lots are and Richardsonian architecture. being developed for new housing units. Small commercial enterprises, such as One of the most significant distinctions of restaurants, retail, and service businesses, the Logan Circle Historic District is the w ay are behind the council house. Mt. Olivet in w hich the buildings, individually and in Lutheran Church is a few structures away. groups, occupy the irregularly shaped lots Beyond the immediate neighborhood of the and frontages created by the non-grid council house, land use includes an upscale pattern of the streets. Despite variations of commercial area w ith hotels, restaurants, style, detail, and individual excellence, it is and high-rise office buildings. the unity of materials, scale, and period character that make this group of buildings The council house has been on a historic a distinct and significant historic district. house tour conducted in the neighborhood during the holiday season. The At first, the Logan Circle area w as a maintenance staff conducts an autumn leaf fashionable residential area for prominent pick-up for the residences on the block. white businessmen and states men, but by the mid-1890s the w ealthy w ere beginning to build their mansions further west toward RELAT ED SIT ES IN WASHINGTON, D.C. Dupont Circle. By the 1940s, the buildings in the Logan Circle area w ere the homes of Logan Circle Historic District prominent African American political, professional, and social figures. With time, The Mary McLeod Bethune Council House those residents moved elsew here, and the National Historic Site is a contributing once grand homes deteriorated. In recent resource to the Logan Circle Historic years, restoration and preservation efforts District, listed on the National Register of have revitalized the area. Historic Places on June 30, 1972, because of its architectural significance. Lincoln Park The approximately eight-block Logan Circle Historic District is a unique, virtually un- A 12-foot bronze statue of Mary McLeod changed example of a prosperous, late-19th- Bethune, sculpted by Robert Berks and

22

INTRODUCTION

Washington, D.C., Black History RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PLANNING National Re cr e ation Tr ail EFFORTS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Dedicated during Black History Month, Various plans for Washington, D.C., or for February 1988, the Washington, D.C., Black specific aspects of the city are in progress History National Recreation Trail has been or are already guiding the outcome of other designated as part of the national trails planning initiatives, including the alterna- system by the secretary of the interior. The tives considered in this document. The purpose of the trail is to interpret the vitality, major elements of these plans, as they contributions, and progress of Washington’s relate to this general management plan, are African American community for nearly 200 discussed below . The alternatives in this years. Rather than follow ing a specific document are generally in concurrence w ith route, this trail directs visitors to magnet the goals and objectives of these plans. sites in historic neighborhoods that illustrate aspects of African American history from The 1984 Comprehensive Plan for the slavery days to the New Deal. Sites on the National Capital is comprised of a series of trail include the follow ing: elements, or policies, that have been adop- ted by the District of Columbia government, Mt. Zion Cemetery/Female Union Band the Council of the District of Columbia, and Cemetery, behind 2515-2531 Q Street, the National Captial Planning Commission NW, Georgetow n to guide the district’s long-ter m develop- ment. The plan includes both District of Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, 1518 M Columbia elements (adopted by the D.C. Street, NW, dow ntown government) and federal elements (adopted by the National Capital Planning Commis- Lincoln Par k, East Capitol Street sion). The elements most relevant to this betw een 11th and 13th Streets, NE, general management plan are listed below . Cap itol Hil l

Frederick Douglass National Historic District of Columbia Elements Site, 1411 W. Street, SE, Anacostia Economic Development How ard University, 2400 6th Street, NW, Support the enhancement of visitor LeDroit Park services in dow ntow n near the monu- mental core, including the traditional Mary McLeod Bethune Council House forms of service and information on National Historic Site, 1318 Vermont recreation, hotels, restaurants, Avenue, NW, Logan Circle nightclubs, historic resources, and shopping facilities in dow ntown and Carter G. Woodson Home (a designated other special areas of the district. national historic landmark), 1538 Ninth Street, NW, dow ntown (not open to the Preservation and Historic Features public) Every effort should be made to provide for continued, appropriate use of all Also, Mary McLeod Bethune National historic properties. Historic Site is one of the sites on the self- guided Dupont-Kalorama Museum w alk.

24 Relationship to the Neighborhood, Related Sites, and Other Planning Efforts

Publicly ow ned historic landscapes RELAT ED SIT ES OUTSIDE and historic open spaces should be WASHINGTON, D.C. protected from unrelated and unnecessary construction that w ould Bethune-Cookman College adversely affect their integrity. Founded by Bethune, the college is a his- torically African American, United Methodist Federal Elements Church-related, liberal arts coeducational institution in Daytona Beach, Florida. The General Policies college archive in the school’s library All major federal facilities in the region contains the w orks and papers of Bethune. should have a master plan to guide Bethune’s home, w hich was designated a their long-range development consist- national historic landmark in 1974, is on the ent w ith the Comprehensive Plan to campus. promote effective use of federal property. Schomburg Center for Federal Parking Policies Research in Black Culture Par king at federal facilities for federal employees and visitors should be The research center, one of the research provided and managed at a level that libraries associated w ith the New York maximizes the use of public Public Library, houses art, artifacts, transportation and high-occupancy manuscript and archival collections, rare vehicles. books, motion pictures, other audiovisual mater ials, and photographs relating to Visitors to the National Capital African American culture in the United Prepare and provide specialized States and other parts of the w orld. information, learning aids, and tours for specific groups visiting federal attractions, such as handicapped Schlesinger Library persons, senior citizens, school- children, and foreign visitors to On the Radcliffe College campus in accommodate their special needs. Cambridge, Massachusetts, the library holds letters, diaries, photographs, books, Visitor Programs and Special Events periodicals, oral histories, and audiovisual Program festival, parades, concerts, mater ials that document the history of performing and fine arts presentations, women, families, and organizations, primar- and other seasonal events throughout ily in the 19th and 20th centuries. These the year. The Independence Day mater ials include information on African celebration, Folklife Festival, military American w omen, families, and band concerts, Pageant of Peace, and organizations. Cherry Blossom Parade are examples of such special events programming. University of Texas Preservation and Historic Features The policies identified in the federal The Special Collections and Archives plan are identical to those outlined for Department at the University of Texas, San the District of Columbia element. Antonio, has gathered significant collections relating to w omen’s history through its

25 INTRODUCTION

Archives for Research on Women and community make up about 90% of the Gender Project. center’s holdings.

Amistad Research Center Duke University

The center, on the Tulane University The Duke University Library in Durham, campus in New Orleans, Louisiana, is North Carolina, houses significant archival among the largest of the nation’s collections relating to the African American repositories specializing in the history of experience in the Americas and other parts African Americans. Papers of African of the w orld. Americans and records of organizations and institutions of the African American

26 ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

27 INTRODUCTION

THE ALTERNATIVES the proposed changes, necessary functions, and possible locations for those functions In this section a proposed future direction are discussed. for Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site (alternative 2, the Alternative 1, the no-action alternative, preferred alternative) is described along describes the continuation of current with three other alternatives. Before the management and trends; it serves as a alternatives w ere developed, information on basis for comparing the other alternatives. site resources, visitor use, and visitor Alternative 2 provides for management of preferences was gathered and analyzed. the historic site emphasizing both its muse- Information w as solicited about the issues um and archives functions to comprehen- and the scope of the project from the public, sively interpret the life, contributions, and government agencies, and special interest legacy of Mary McLeod Bethune. Alternative groups through new sletters, meetings, and 3 commemorates the legacy of Bethune by personal contacts. Based on the site’s establishing the Bethune Center for Human purpose and significance and public Rights and using the council house as a comments, the planning team identified the base for stimulating social change. resource conditions desired and a range of Alternative 4 commemorates the life and appropriate visitor experiences or oppor- times of Bethune by managing the council tunities for the site. The development of house as a traditional house museum. three preliminary concepts (alternatives 2 4) for the site's future w as the result. ALTERNATIVES OR ACTIONS Each of the three concepts w as intended to CONSIDERED BUT ELIMINATED FROM support the site's purpose and significance, FURTHER STUDY address issues, avoid unacceptable resource impacts, respond to public w ishes There w ere no alternatives considered but and concerns, and meet the site's long-ter m eliminated from further study. All the goals. An evaluation process, called concepts for the alternatives remained "Choosing by Advantages," was used to unchanged. How ever, some of the specific evaluate and compare the alternatives and actions w ithin the alternatives changed to develop a preliminary preferred alter- during the course of the planning process. native. To assess both costs and impacts of

29 ALTERNATIVE 1: NO ACTION

OVERALL CONCEPT 1 archivist 1 maintenance w orker Current operations, w ith limited space, staff, 1 secretary and budget, w ould continue at the site. No additional property w ould be acquired or leased. Visitor facilities w ould continue to be COUNCIL HOUSE inadequate, and facilities w ould remain inaccessible to visitors and employees w ith The council house w ould continue to pro- mobility disabilities. The second-floor, vide multiple functions as a visitor center single-toilet restroom w ould continue to be and administrative area. The visitor orienta- used for visitors, including those arriving in tion/video area and bookstore w ould remain groups. The limited administrative and in the house. Ranger-led and self-guided visitor orientation functions w ould remain in tours w ould continue to be available. A mix the council house, and the archives w ould of mostly permanent exhibits about the remain in the carriage house. Although the council house, Bethune, and the National archival collections have been professional- Council of Negro Women, and some tempo- ly stored and shelved, w ithout additional rary exhibits relating to African American funding the building w ould not provide the women’s history w ould continue to be pro- physical environment for professional cura- vided. Special programs, exhibits, and torial standards and w ould not have room events w ould continue. Offsite programs for storage of the additional collections would continue w hen requested, w ith expected. traveling exhibits and staff visiting schools and community groups. Interpretive stories Cooperative agreements w ith the Bethune would continue to focus on two themes: Museum and Archives, Inc. and the National Bethune the person and Bethune the Council of Negro Women w ould continue. philosopher. The house and visitor restrooms w ould remain inaccessible to The interpretive program, w hich focuses on visitors w ith mobility disabilities. Dr. Bethune, the council house, and the National Council of Negro Women, w ould continue to be less comprehensive than is CARRIAGE HOUSE desired. Space for researchers and their work would continue to be inadequate. The The carriage house w ould remain the council house w ould continue to be pre- storage space for the archival collections served as funding permits and in response with space for research and archival staff to structural deterioration, w ithout a more offices. Due to the building’s structural proactive preservation plan. See the considerations, the rolling shelves w ould Alternative 1 No Action map. remain on the first floor. Offices and the small reference area/work space would To achieve desired future condition: remain upstairs, continuing to be inacces- sible to visitors or staff with mobility ƒ Seek funding to get archival storage disabilities. space up to standard w ith humidity control and fire protection. NEW INTERPRETIV E, ADMINI- Staffing would continue as follows: STRATIVE, OR ARCHIVAL SPACE

1 site manager No new space would be leased or acquired. 2 site rangers

30

ALTERNATIVE 2: DUAL EMPHASIS ON MUSEUM AND ARCHIV ES (PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE)

OVERALL CONCEPT Improve visitor experience. • Provide adequate space for orienting In this alternative the national historic site groups. would place a dual emphasis on the council • Increase number and scope of exhibits. house, w hich would be used as a museum, • Create changing exhibits. and on the archives. Both the museum and • Provide accessibility. the archives would be expanded and linked • Work w ith local businesses and by using the archival materials in changing organizations to provide a shared interpretive exhibits and programs. The parking area; include par king area interpretation w ould provide a broad and information on the site’s Web site. balanced program and more in-depth • Provide multimedia and educational treatment of Dr. Bethune’s role as a public resources to both expand the visitor figure and organizer. Dr. Bethune’s vision of experience (across the globe) and an expansive archival collection of African provide additional access to a physically American w omen’s history would be limited space, possibly through the achieved. The archives w ould become a World Wide Web, compact discs, DVDs, significant, state-of-the art research insti- and onsite ter minals. tution and a modern repository that meets current professional archival management Upgrade archival facility and services. standards. Archival research w ould be • Improve new archival collection area to concentrated onsite. Research capabilities meet archival standards. and services would be improved through the • Provide space for grow th of collections. use of advanced technology. Archival collections and processing w ould also be • Upgrade w ays for people to learn about the collections, and develop new tools onsite. When necessary, archival collections for disseminating information on the would be moved to the Museum Resource holdings, including computer systems Center for preservation and storage. and enhanced and interactive Internet access. Partnerships w ould be sought to provide assistance with archival acquisition, • Provide more space for researchers and preservation, and research. Additional staff. partnerships w ith both NPS and non- NPS groups should be sought to link w ith other Enhance educational and interpretive related sites. NPS staff would w ork w ith the outreach programs (scholars, schools, teachers, and community groups). District of Columbia to add the site on local (e.g., bus and shuttle) transportation routes • Make educational programs broad in and improve directional signs to the site. scope but comprehensive. • Use furnishings from the Bethune era as Additional acquired property for offices and permanent exhibits in the council house. visitor orientation and an increase in staff • Focus future archival acquisitions on would be a necessity for implementing this Mary McLeod Bethune, civil rights, the alternative (see Alternative 2 – Dual National Council of Negro Women, the Emphasis map). National Association of Colored Women, and other significant African American To achieve desired future condition: women and organizations associated with the Bethune era.

32

ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ACTION

• Include educational programs and material, w ith new material coming from the electronic media in interpretive archival collections. Stories presented in the programs. exhibits w ould be broad and comprehen- • Provide state of the art outreach and sive, relating to all four interpretive themes virtual programs for a broad range of the (Bethune the person, Bethune the activist, public. Bethune the philosopher, and Bethune, the • Ensure that oral histories are done. legacy) as well as the contributions and • Increase staff to 13 to accommodate accomplishments of Dr. Bethune and her expanded visitor, educational, and life and times. The exhibit areas w ould archival services. Additional staff feature multimedia and interactive venues. members w ould be as follows:

1 assistant site manager CARRIAGE HOUSE 1 site ranger 1 visitor use assistant The carriage house w ould be renovated and 1 museum educator/curator adaptively reused. The house w ould remain 1 archivist the administrative center and researchers’ 1 archival technician point of contact for the National Archives for 1 maintenance w orker Black Women’s History. A research room would be located in the house, providing a Know ledge of African American w omen’s state-of-the-art area for visiting researchers. history and w eb/educational technology Space w ould also be provided for the skills w ould be a part of the additional staff expanded archival staff. Select archival skills that the Park Service w ould be collections and collections frequently seeking. accessed w ould be in the carriage house. Three parking spaces w ould be available in The proposed desired future conditions the alley for administrative use. would require additional space. Where and how much space is required w ould have impacts on the visitor experience, NEW INTERPRETIV E, ADMINI- resources, and operational efficiency of the STRATIVE, OR ARCHIVAL SPACE national historic site. New space is proposed to be acquired by the purchase and rehabilitation of the COUNCIL HOUSE adjacent row house. The new space would accommodate orientation, bookstore, Functions w ithin the council house w ould be accessible restrooms, and administrative simplified to eliminate conflicts betw een offices. Access for mobility disabled visitors administrative tasks and visitor experiences. would be provided through a front entrance. Administrative offices, except for those An elevator w ould be added to provide required by interpretive rangers on site, access to all three visitor floors of the would be moved out of the council house. council house and administrative functions Orientation, the video/lecture area, in the new space. Access betw een the restrooms, and bookstore w ould be moved buildings w ould be required. The National to a new location adjacent to the council Par k Service w ould seek congressional house. The council house w ould be used for approval to expand the boundary. interpretation, and interpretation w ould be provided via ranger-guided tours and self- If purchase and rehabilitation of the guided exhibits. Exhibits w ould include a adjacent property is not feasible, then balance betw een permanent and changing purchase and rehabilitation of a nearby

34 Alternative 2: Dual Emphasis on Museum and Archives (Preferred Alternative) property would be considered and Delivery could be over the World Wide Web, programmatic interpretation w ould be through compact disks, DVDs, or other provided. media, and at onsite ter minals.

Interpretive methods w ould be used to both Archival processing would be onsite. The expand the visitor experience and preserve collections w ould also be onsite as space the cultural resources. This new space allow s. When necessary, the collections would include multimedia and educational would be moved to the Museum Resource resources and help provide additional Center, an existing state-of-the-art storage access to a physically limited space. facility.

35 ALTERNATIVE 3: EMPHASIS ON ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS

OVERALL CONCEPT • Increase the number of exhibits and provide proportionally more changing The national historic site w ould commem- exhibits. orate Mary McLeod Bethune through the • Direct future archival acquisitions to establishment of the Bethune Center for include materials relating to civil rights, Human Rights. The center w ould continue human rights, and activis m. Dr. Bethune’s legacy by using the council • Greatly expand outreach programs to house as a base for stimulating social schools, community groups, and change. While retaining the archival teachers. resources, interpretation of African • Sponsor lectures, workshops, American w omen’s history, and the house conferences, and receptions on subjects as a museum, the site w ould provide the of or for promoting social change, place for community and activist groups to human rights, and activis m. meet and engage in activities, w orkshops, • Provide space for the grow th of the and programs. Interpretive themes w ould archival collections. emphasize Bethune, the legacy. Groups • Increase staff up to 14 and orient using the facilities w ould include those w ith disciplines tow ard organizational and whom Dr. Bethune and the National Council coordination needs. Additional staff of Negro Women w orked, as w ell as other members w ould be as follows: organizations that w ould encourage social change in accord w ith Dr. Bethune’s ideals. 1 assistant site manager Lectures and receptions for educational and 2 site rangers activist groups would take place, w ith 1 visitor use assistant emphasis on literacy and voices of the civil 1 education specialist rights and human rights movement. 1 program coordinator 1 secretary The center w ould seek partnerships w ith 1 maintenance w orker educational and social action groups to sponsor exhibits and educate people of all ages regarding Dr. Bethune’s activities on COUNCIL HOUSE behalf of interracial cooperation and social justice. Archival collections also w ould In alternative 3, the council house w ould emphasize materials related to social justice function as a place for interpretation and, as and human rights. it w as historically, for meetings. There w ould continue to be self-guided tours in the Leased or acquired property (see house, and offsite interpretation, including Alternative 3 Emphasis on Activities and traveling exhibits, w ould be expanded. Programs map) and an increase in staff Ranger-led tours w ould be less than would be a necessity for implementing this currently available. Galler ies in the council alternative. house w ould contain both per manent and semiper manent exhibits, but the emphasis To achieve desired future condition: would be on changing exhibits that w ould focus on current issues. Exhibit topics w ould • Provide meeting space for large and include Dr. Bethune and civil r ights, post small groups. Bethune civil r ights, activism, the civil rights movement and the reasons for it, and passing on Dr. Bethune’s goals and ideals.

36

ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PREFERRED ACTION

A curriculum for grades K-12 w ould be meeting rooms and w orkshops for groups developed. Offsite interpretation could would be provided in new leased or include an interactive Web site or chat purchased space near the council house room. Interpretation and office functions (see Alternative 3 Emphasis on Activities would be divided betw een the council house and Programs map). This space w ould be and an additional new space. the primary contact point for visitors. After orientation, visitors w ould be encouraged to visit the council house. Interpretive stories CARRIAGE HOUSE would focus on three themes: Bethune the person, Bethune the activist, and Bethune The carriage house w ould be renovated and the legacy. The stories w ould be told expanded to include the archival collections, through media, such as videos and exhibits, archival staff offices, and research space. and interpreters. The space w ould accom- The space for storage would be increased modate mobility impaired visitors w ith and brought up to modern professional programmatic interpretation and accessible archival standards. Some space for onsite restrooms. An expanded administrative staff researchers would be provided, but more would also be in this location. Exact location service would be provided and enhanced and lease or acquisition w ould be deter- through technological improvements. mined in future studies based on cost and availability. If space were purchased, the National Park Service w ould seek congres- NEW INTERPRETIV E, ADMINI- sional approval to expand the boundary. STRATIVE, OR ARCHIVAL SPACE If space is leased nearby, parking space Orientation space for visitors, administrative might be available for visitors. offices, and the primary space for

38 ALTERNATIVE 4: EMPHASIS ON MUSEUM OPERATIONS

OVERALL CONCEPT • Increase staff by 1 (to a total of seven) to help accommodate ranger-led tours. The national historic site w ould commemo- Additional staff member w ould be as rate the life and times of Mary McLeod follow s: Bethune by managing the council house as a traditional NPS historic museum. NPS 1 ranger/visitor use assistant staff would provide in-depth interpretation of Dr. Bethune and her contributions, and exhibits in the house w ould include historic COUNCIL HOUSE and period furnishings from the years w hen she used the house as the headquarters for The council house w ould function primarily the National Council of Negro Women. Mos t as a museum, w ith expanded exhibit space of these exhibits w ould be permanent, w ith and an orientation area for visitors. Self- some changing exhibits. The emphasis of guided and ranger-led tours w ould be avail- the archival collections w ould be to illustrate able along w ith offsite programs. Exhibits in the highlights of her life and activities as the house w ould be per manent and w ould well as the era in w hich she lived and the include historic furnishings from the period contemporaries w ith w hom she w orked. when Mary McLeod Bethune lived there. There w ould be traditional interpretive Partnerships w ould be developed w ith exhibits and media along w ith some archival organizations that focus on her legacy, life, mater ials and electronic exhibits. Although and contributions to assist w ith furnishings the focus would be on permanent exhibits, and interpretive activities. some changing and traveling exhibits w ould be provided. Educational programs w ould Offsite space for the archival collections focus on the life contributions and legacy of would be a necessity for implementing this Bethune. Stories w ould emphasize Bethune alternative (see Alternative 4 Emphasis on the person, Bethune the philosopher, and Museum map). Bethune the activist. An elevator w ould be added to the back of the house, if necessary To achieve desired future condition: depending on the design of the new • Improve visitor experience carriage house, to provide accessibility. ♦ Increase number of exhibits. ♦ Provide in-depth interpretive focus on Mary McLeod Bethune and her role CARRIAGE HOUSE in civil rights and African American women’s history. The carriage house w ould be demolished ♦ Expand collection of furnishings that pursuant to consultation w ith the State were common in the Bethune times Historic Preservation Office under Section and artifacts pertaining to life and 106 of the National Historic Preservation times of Dr. Bethune. Act, and a new accessible building w ould be • Focus future archival acquisitions on the constructed behind the council house to life, times, and contemporaries of Dr. house the bookstore, visitor restrooms, and Bethune. administrative offices. • Provide space offsite for the archival collections.

39

Alternative 4: Emphasis on Museum Operations

In the footprint of the current carriage established facility that is adequately house, there w ould be room for about tw o equipped to protect the collections. handicap-accessible parking spaces. Additional space w ould be procured as the Depending on later design plans, there collections increased. The space w ould might be an elevator in the carriage house. meet archival standards and w ould be managed by contracted professionals. Researchers would access the archival NEW INTERPRETIV E, ADMINI- collections at this offsite location. Some STRATIVE, OR ARCHIVAL SPACE archives would remain on exhibit in the council house. Space to accommodate the present-day archival collections w ould be leased at an

41 COMPARATIVE COSTS OF GENERAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ALTERNATIV ES

General management plans provide a accessible access to the front of the pur- framew ork for proactive decision making, chased house. Moving visitor services to an including decisions on visitor use, natural adjacent building w ould provide additional and cultural resource management, and site visitor service while slightly decreasing the development. The management plan impacts of visitors on the historic structure. prescribes resource conditions and visitor In addition, the proposed changes to the experiences that are to be achieved and archives would expand the audience that maintained over time, and site development could be reached via electronic media. is considered in general needs rather than Administrative functions would be efficient specifics. For the purposes of cost estima- and close to but separate from the visitor ting, general assumptions are made regard- areas. ing amounts and sizes of development. These assumptions are then carried across Alternative 3 proposes the purchase or to all alternatives so that comparable costs lease of additional nearby space for offices, can be considered for each alternative. meetings, and orientation and w ould Costs are analyzed for both initial develop- decrease ranger-guided tours and increase ment costs and life-cycle costs. Initial self-guided tours of the council house. This development costs are costs associated alternative also proposes the expansion of with construction and rehabilitation. Life- the carriage house. Alternative 3 proposes cycle costs include significant costs of the increased services to a narrower audience − alternative over time, such as staffing and those people w ho would be attending semi- operating costs. nars and w orkshops. It shifts orientation and visitation to the new space. This could Costs in this document are not intended to decrease visitation to the council house and replace more detailed consideration of thus decrease impacts on the historic needs, sizes, and amount of future develop- house. How ever, this alternative w ould also ment. They should not be used as a basis increase the number of people reached for money requests; further analysis must through outreach programs. be completed first. Alternative 4 proposes building a larger Preliminary development costs for the structure to replace the carriage house and national historic site range from $666,000 to moving the archives offsite to a leased $2,379,120. Increased visitor services and space, providing needed space for rest- protection of the resources align closely w ith rooms and bookstore. Thus, implementation the costs. of alternative 4 w ould increase exhibit space and provide space for new exhibits. All alternatives propose new interpretive Handicap access would be provided exhibits. Alternative 1 continues current through a back entrance. staffing limitations, accessibility problems, researcher access problems, and Costs and items considered are given in administrative congestion. more detail in appendix C.

Alternative 2, the preferred alternative, Differences in total life-cycle costs are much proposes the purchase and rehabilitation of greater than the initial development costs, an adjacent (or nearby) row house to ranging from $4.3 million in alternative 1 to provide space for orientation, restrooms, a high of $11.1 million in alternative 3. One and offices. It w ould also provide for major and tw o minor factors account for the

42 Comparative Costs of General Management Plan Alternatives differences in life-cycle costs. The major dollars of the life-cycle costs of alternatives difference is staffing. For the purposes of 2 and 3. this comparison, an average salary of $53,000 is assumed. Alternative 1 retains The minor factors contributing to life-cycle current staff levels, therefore limiting costs were replacement costs for new interpretation and visitor services that can square footage added and leasing costs. be provided. Alternatives 2 and 3 propose Maintenance on the existing house is increasing visitor services alternative 2 assumed to be consistent for all alterna- increases onsite interpretation, Internet tives. Replacement costs in alternatives 2 access, and outreach programs, w hile and 3 are estimated to be $359,000 and alternative 3 increases outreach and $309,000, respectively. Lease costs in provides w orkshops and seminars to those present w orth for alternative 4 are estimated with more time and interest. Alternative 4 to be $257,000 over a 25-year period. increases staff numbers by one. The staffing accounted for $8.0 and $8.6 million Comparative costs of the four alternatives are summarized in the follow ing chart:

TABLE 1. SUMMARY OF COMPARATI VE COSTS

Alternativ e 2 Preferred Alternativ e 1 alternative Alternative 3 Alternative 4 Initial Development Costs $666,000 $2,379,000 $2,125,000 $1,522,000 Total Life-Cycle Costs (Present $4,372,000 $10,768,000 $11,081,000 $6,102,000 Worth)

43 ENVIRONM ENTALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

This table show s how each alternative the biological and physical environment, would or w ould not achieve the require- and best protect, preserve, and enhance ments of sections 101 and 102(1) of the historic, cultural, and natural resources. It National Environmental Policy Act and other would also “create and maintain conditions environmental laws and policies. In the Par k under w hich man and nature can exist in Service, this requirement is met by (1) productive harmony, and fulfill the social, disclosing how each alternative meets the economic, and other requirements of criteria set forth in section 101(b), which are present and future generations of listed in table 2 below , and by (2) presenting Americans.” Although all alternatives in this any inconsistencies betw een the alterna- plan rated w ell, not surprising because tives analyzed and other environmental elements that w ere not environmentally laws and policies (Director’s Order 12, sound w ere eliminated from consideration, 2.7.E). According to section 101, this the preferred alternative best met the alternative w ould cause the least damage to criteria of section 101(b).

TABLE 2. ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS

Alternativ e

Criteria 1 3 4 No Action Alternative Alternative Preferred 2 Preferred

Fulfill the responsibilities of each generation as trustee of the environment NA NA NA NA for succeeding generations.

Ensure safe, healthful, productive, and esthetically and culturally pleasing LHMH surroundings for all Americans. Attain the widest range of beneficial uses of the environment without degradation, risk of health or safety, or other undesirable and unintended L HHM consequences. Preserve important historic, cultural, and natural aspects of our national heritage and maintain, wherever possible, an environment that supports M HHM diversity and a variety of individual choices.

Achieve a balance between population and resource use that will permit high standards of living and a wide sharing of life’s amenities. MHMM

Enhance the quality of renewable resources and approach the maximum attainable recycling of depletable resources. NA NA NA NA

Total Points (assuming 2 points for a H (high) and 1 point for M (moderate)), No points for L. 21065

44 Environmentally Preferred Alternative

The first and last criteria for the population and resource use. Alternatives 3 environmentally preferred alternative have and 4 scored low er in general because both negligible application to this small, tw o- of these alternatives focus on specific building historic site in an urban audiences or interpretive areas. The no- environment. The no-action alternative action alternative preserves most of the scored low on providing healthful, important historic cultural and natural productive, and pleasing surroundings for all aspects, but leaves the archive collections Americans and providing a w ide range of vulnerable to future problems. Alternative 4 beneficial uses. The preferred alternative demolishes a building that is considered to scored consistently high by providing be eligible for listing on the National healthful, productive, and pleasing Register of Historic places but is not related surroundings for all Americans, providing to the significance of the site. Therefore the the w idest range of beneficial uses, preferred alternative w as also chosen as the preserving the resources of our national environmentally preferred alternative. heritage, and achieving a balance betw een

45 TABLE 3. SUMMARY OF ALTERNATIVE ACTION S

ALTERNATIVE 2 DUAL EMPHASIS ON MUSEUM ALTERNATIVE 3 ALTERNATIVE 4 ALTERNATIVE 1 NO AND ARCHIVES EMPHASIS ON ACTIVITIES EMPHASIZE MUSEUM ACTION PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE AND PROGRAMS OPERATIONS Overall Concept Continue current operations, with Place dual emphasis on the Commemorate the site through Use council house as a limited space, staff, and budget. council house, which would be the establishment of the Bethune traditional NPS museum that used as a museum, and on the Center for Human Rights. Use commemorates the life and times archives; expand and link the two council house as a base for of Dr. Bethune. Provide in-depth by using the archival materials in stimulating social change. interpretation of Dr. Bethune and changing interpretive exhibits Prov ide a place for groups to her contributions. Include historic and programs. Provide a broad meet and engage in activities, and period furnishings in the and balanced interpretive workshops, and programs. exhibits. Use archival collections program. Provide more in-depth Emphasize materials related to to illustrate the highlights of her interpretation. Achieve Dr. social justice and human rights in life and activities, the era in Bethune’s vision of an expansive the archival collections. Acquire which she lived, and her archival collection of African or lease additional property for contemporaries. Lease offsite American women’s history. offices and visitor orientation. property for archival collections. Acquire additional property for offices and visitor orientation. Council House Continue use as a visitor center Use council house for Use council house for Us e hous e as a mus eum, wit h and administrative offices. interpretation, which would be interpretation and, as it was expanded exhibit space and an Continue tours. Continue mix of prov ided via ranger-guided tours historically, for meetings. Provide orient at ion area f or v is it ors . mostly permanent exhibits about and self-guided exhibits. Balance permanent and semipermanent Provide ranger-led and self-guiding the council house, Bethune, the exhibits between permanent and exhibits, but emphasize changing tours as well as offsite programs. National Council of Negro changing material, with new exhibits that focus on current Display traditional interpretive Women, and temporary exhibits material coming from the archival issues. Emphasize the exhibits and media along with relating to African American collections. Present broad and interpretive theme of Bethune, some archival materials and electronic exhibits. Focus on women’s history. Continue comprehensive stories, relating the legacy. permanent exhibits with some special programs, exhibits, and to Bethune the person, activist, t rav eling ex hibits . Foc us ev ents as well as offsite and philosopher and her legacy Continue to provide self-guided educational programs on the life programs. Continue to focus as well as her accomplishments tours. Decrease ranger -led contributions and legacy of Dr. interpretive themes on Bethune and contributions. tours. Bethune. Emphasize interpretive the person and Bethune the t hem es of Bet hune t he pers on, philosopher. House and Expand offsite interpretation, Bethune the philosopher, and restrooms would remain including traveling exhibits. Bethune the activist. Add elevator inaccessible to visitors with to the back of the house if mobility disabilities. necessary to provide access for visitors with disabilities.

46 Environmentally Preferred Alternative

ALTERNATIVE 2 DUAL EMPHASIS ON MUSEUM ALTERNATIVE 3 ALTERNATIVE 4 ALTERNATIVE 1 NO AND ARCHIVES EMPHASIS ON ACTIVITIES EMPHASIZE MUSEUM ACTION PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE AND PROGRAMS OPERATIONS Carriage House C ont inue us e as t he s torage s pace Renovate house and use as an Renovate and expand carriage Tear down carriage house and for the archival collections, archival administrative center and house to include the archival replace with new building that staff offices, and research. Seek researchers’ point of contact for the collections, archival staff offices, would house bookstore, visitor funding for the installation of a fire National Archives for Black and research space. Bring space restrooms, and administrative sprinkler system, vapor barrier, and Women’s History. Provide state-of- for collections to archival offices. Possibly include an insulation. the-art area for researchers. standards. Provide enhanced elevator. Accommodate some processing of technologies for archival access. archival collections. Provide some Emphasize materials related to space for expanded archival staff social justice, civil rights, human and storing select/ f requently rights, and activism. accessed collections, or collections being processed. New Interpretive, None. Acquire new space adjacent to the Prov ide orient ation s pac e, ad- Lease offsite space that would Administration, c ounc il hous e f or orient at ion, ministrative offices, and primary meet archival standards to o r Ar ch ival videos, lectures, museum shop/ s pac e f or m eet ing room s and accommodate the current archival Space bookstore, office space, and works hops in new ac quired or collections. Contract with others to accessible restrooms. Provide leased space near the council manage the collections. access for mobility disabled house. Make this the primary through a front entrance. Add contact point for visitors. Focus elevator to provide access to all interpretive stories on Bethune the three floors of council house and person, Bethune the activist, and administrative functions in the new Bethune the legacy. Tell stories space. Provide access between through media and interpreters. buildings. Prov ide acc es s and programm at ic interpretation for visitors with Move archival collections to the mobility disabilities. Provide space Museum Resource Center as for expanded administrative staff. necessary for space. Archival space is described above under the carriage house. Partnerships Continue cooperative agreements Seek partnerships to provide Seek partnerships with educational Develop partnerships with with Bethune Museum and assistance with archival and social action groups to organizations that f ocus on Dr. Archives and the National Council acquisition, preservation, and sponsor exhibits and educate Bethune’s legacy, life, and of Negro Women. research. people regarding Dr. Bethune’s contributions to assist with activities on behalf of interracial furnishings and interpretive c ooperat ion and social jus t ic e. activities. Boundary Seek approval to expand the If s pac e is purc has ed, s eek Change boundary. approval to expand the boundary. Staffing Continue current staff of six. Hire seven more staff members. Hire eight more staff members. Hire one more staff member.

47 TABLE 4. SUMMARY COMPARI SON OF IMPACTS OF IMPLEMENTING THE ALTERNATIVES

IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVE 1 IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVE 2 IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVE 3 IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVE 4 I mp acts on The continuation of the current Implementing this alternative would Implementing this alternative would Implementing alternative 4 would Cultural archival management program in be expected to have minor long- be expected to have no adverse provide long-term moderate to Resources the carriage house would have term adverse impacts on historic effects on the council house and major benefits for preserving and moderate to major long-term properties (due to adding doorways would provide long-term major protecting the council house, adverse impacts on the expansion, in the counc il hous e and an benefits for its preservation and archival collections, historic preservation, and use of the elevator and doorways in the protection. By using historic furnishings/artifacts, and landscape archival collections unless adjacent property ). However, furnishings and artifacts in traveling at the national historic site. additional funds become available implementing this alternative would exhibits and outreach programs, to upgrade the facility to archival provide long-term major benefits for their display in the council house Installing an elevator at the rear of standards. preserving and protecting cultural would be minimized, thus removing the council house would result in resources, including the site’s some objects f rom their historic some long-term adverse impacts Ongoing rehab and maintenance structures, landscape, historic context and negatively affecting on t he s truc t ure, but t he building’s efforts would have minor long-term furnishings/artifacts, and archival their onsite interpretive value. documented architectural values, beneficial impacts on the struc- collections. The council house’s would not be affected. The tures, landscape, and historic documented architectural values Systematic resource management demolit ion of t he c arriage hous e furnishings/artifacts at the national that contribute to its listing on the approaches, improved cultural and its replacement with a modern historic site, resulting in a limited National Register of Historic Places resource preservation/maintenance s truc t ure would c onst itute a m ajor degree of cultural resource would be preserved. programs, and renovated facilities long-term adverse effect. preservation. would provide beneficial effects. Systematic resource management Systematic resource management approaches, improved cultural Enlarging and developing the approaches, improved cultural resource preservation/maintenance carriage house to meet modern resource preservation/maintenance programs, and renovated facilities professional archival standards programs, and renovated facilities would provide long-term beneficial would provide additional space would provide positive beneficial impacts. NPS staff would be in a onsite for expanding, processing, effects. better position to proactively researching, managing, and manage and protect the cultural protecting the archival collections. The National Park Service’s ability resources than under the no-action However, enlarging the carriage to proactively manage preservation alternative. house could have a major long- programs for these cultural term adverse effect on the structure resources would be enhanced. because its architectural values could be lost.

48 Environmentally Preferred Alternative

IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVE 1 IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVE 2 IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVE 3 IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVE 4 I mp acts on Orient at ion and educ at ion would Increased space would decrease Increased space would provide an Visitors would have a “traditional” Visitor remain less comprehensive than crowding, allow the provision of orientation area for groups (and ex perienc e. More s pac e f or U se/ Experi en ce desired. Crowding would continue accessible restroom facilities, and accessible restrooms), more space orient at ion, ex hibits , and res t rooms when one or more large tours accommodate visitors with mobility f or ex hibits, s pac e f or m ore st af f , would reduce crowding and permit arrive. Outreach programs would disabilities; it would also provide an and space for group meetings and a comprehensive interpretation of not be enhanced. The physical orientation area for groups, more activist/community programs Dr. Bethune’s life and accomplish- lim it at ions of the hous e (lack of s pac e for st aff , and more spac e f or allowing a broad interpretation of m ents . There would be fewer space for orientation, a single toilet, exhibits allowing a more compre- Dr. Bethune’s accomplishments, int rus ions into t he v is itor experi- and lack of access for visitors with hensive interpretation of Dr. f oc us ing on her role as an ac tiv ist . ence by administrative activities − a mobility disabilities) and limited Bethune’s accomplishments. A The new space would be physically long-term moderate beneficial staff numbers would continue to larger staff would be able to contact s eparat e f rom t he c ounc il hous e, impact. result in long-term moderate to more people throughout the requiring programmatic interpreta- major adverse impacts on the community and to create a new tion. If space is leased in a nearby An elev at or at the back of the quality of the visitor experience. interpretive program and exhibits. office, parking for visitors might be house and/or the new building available. Added space and would have major long-term Research efforts would be increased staff would have beneficial impacts on visitors with expedited, and opportunities for m oderat e long-term benef ic ial mobility disabilities. An increase of inf ormat ion would be great ly impacts on the quality of the visitor one staff member would slightly enhanced (onsite and over the experience. expand the extent of outreach Internet) with more staff and programs and the number of tours improved technology. There would c onduc ted. Ov erall, there would be be long-term moderate beneficial long-term minor beneficial impacts impacts on the quality of the visitor on the quality of the visitor experience. experience. I mp acts on th e Becaus e current site operat ions Rehabilitation of the carriage house Rehabilitation and expansion of the R em ov ing t he c arriage hous e and So cio econo mi c would continue, there would be would have minor short-term carriage house would have minor building a new structure in its place En viro nmen t negligible changes to the socioeco- beneficial impacts on the local short-term beneficial impacts on would have minor short-term nomic environment. ec onomy (f rom em ploy ment t he loc al ec onomy (f rom benefits on the local economy opportunities and material sales). employment opportunities and (from employment opportunities Rehabilitation would also increase material sales). Rehabilitation and and material sales). This noise and possibly create traffic expansion would also increase construction would also increase delay s during const ruct ion − mostly noise and possibly create traffic noise and maybe create traffic minor inconveniences in the delay s during const ruct ion mostly delay s during const ruct ion mostly neighborhood. Occupants of the minor inconveniences in the minor inconveniences in the neigh- adjacent residence would require neighborhood. Occupants of a borhood. Such construction would relocation, creating a minor to nearby residence or business have long-term minor adverse major adverse impact on those would require relocation, creating a visual impacts by eliminating the occupants. There could be minor to major and short- to long- patio. Leasing an established beneficial impacts on the t erm adv ers e im pacts on t hos e facility for storing the archival appearance of the neighborhood occupants. There could be collections would have negligible properties. beneficial impacts on the impacts on the socioeconomic appearance of the neighborhood env ironm ent. properties.

49 IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVE 1 IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVE 2 IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVE 3 IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVE 4 I mp acts on Si te Implementing alternative 1 would The museum/council house and Providing additional space for the The implementation of alternative 4 Ad m in i st ra t ion have moderate long-term adverse archives would receive major long- archives and site administrative would have minor to moderate and Operations impacts on site administration and t erm benef its f rom im plem ent ing functions, and providing a new long-term beneficial impacts on site operations. Conflicts resulting from t his alternat iv e. Bot h would ex pand function (programs and meetings), operations by providing additional incongruent uses and lack of space into much needed space. Orienting as well as space for that function s pac e f or of f ic es, t he books t ore, would continue. The lack of large groups in anot her st ruc ture would have moderate long-term and restrooms, allowing more accessible access to the council would help decrease the level of beneficial impacts on site efficient functioning than alternative and carriage houses would wear and tear and maintenance for operations. Site operations would 1. continue to limit access by mobility t he counc il hous e. St aff would hav e hav e t he necess ary s pac e t o impaired employees and visitors. more space, which would be free function effectively. If space is Maintenance of the facility that This v iolates NPS policies. from unavoidable visitor-related leased in a nearby office, parking replaces the carriage house would (tour) noise and disturbances. f or st aff might be available. be easier with sustainable modern Three parking spaces would be plumbing, a modern heating and available in the alley for staff use. However, separating the staff into ventilation system, and modern three locations would be a minor electrical circuits. Because a new building would be long-term adverse impact on site ac quired, maint enanc e and ut ility operations requiring more effort for More of the archivist’s time would costs would presumably double. communication. be used for research and Increased salary costs for seven interpretation. Maintenance of the additional employees would be a Because a new building would be archives would be improved by major long-term adverse impact on acquired and the carriage house c ont ract ing t hat serv ice of f site. the site’s budget but would be would be replaced with a larger offset by the long-term gain for s truc t ure, maintenance and ut ility Visitor services and site visitors from the additional services costs would increase. The new administration would gain space t hat would be prov ided. programs works hops and and function more efficiently. The seminars would also increase cost of offsite archival storage and maintenance and utility costs. the addition of one staff member would increase the site’s operating Increased salary costs for eight costs but would be offset by the additional employees would be a additional services that would be long-term impact on the site’s provided. budget but would be offset by the long-term gain for visitors from the Increased salary costs for the additional services that would be additional employee would be a provided. long-term impact on the site’s budget but would be offset by the long-term gain for the protection of t he arc hiv es, s light ly m ore ef f ic ient site operations, and slightly enhanced staff ability to provide additional visitor services c om pared to alternat iv e 1.

50 MITIGATING MEASURES

Because of current staffing and funding Standard mitigation measures would be levels, some NPS standards are not being used to lessen impacts on historic struc- met at the site. This situation w ould tures. These measures include documenta- probably continue w ithout the approval of tion according to standards of the Historic alternative 2, 3, or 4. American Buildings Survey/Historic Ameri- can Engineering Record (HABS/HAER) as Any construction activity proposed would be defined in the Re- Engineering Proposal done in areas that have already been (October 1, 1997). The level of this docu- disturbed due to the site’s location in a mentation, w hich includes photography and dense urban environment. Mitigation a narrative history, w ould depend on signifi- measures w ould be employed to minimize cance (national, state, or local) and temporary impacts from construction on individual attributes (an individually signifi- soils, site access, and other resources. cant structure, individual elements of a Such measures w ould include silt fences, cultural landscape, etc.). mulch, reseeding, and traffic control devices where appropriate and necessary. To When demolition of a historic structure is minimize contamination from construction proposed, architectural elements and equipment seeping into the soil, vehicles objects may be salvaged for reuse in and other machinery w ould be maintained rehabilitating similar structures, or they may and checked frequently to identify and be added to the site’s museum collection. In repair any leaks. addition, the historical alteration of the human environment and reasons for that Appropriate restrictions, such as con- alteration w ould be interpreted to site struction hours, delivery times, and location visitors. of staging areas, would be imposed on construction activities to minimize impacts on neighbor ing residents and businesses.

51 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH AND PLANNING

Before beginning any actions that might (1) site interpretation plan − identifies affect the council house or carriage house park/site themes, describes visitor (alternatives 2, 3, or 4), the National Par k experience goals, and recommends a Service w ould prepare studies as pre- wide array of interpretive services, scribed in the NPS Management Policies media, programs and outreach activities and Cultural Resource Management to communicate the park’s/ site’s Guideline (DO-28) and initiate consultation purpose, significance, themes, and with the State Historic Preservation Office values for the District of Columbia in compliance (2) scope of collections plan − guides with the 1995 programmatic agreement park’s/site’s acquisition and preservation among the National Park Service, the of museum objects that contribute Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, directly to interpretation and understand- and the National Conference of State ing of its themes, as w ell as any addi- Historic Preservation Officers. tional objects that the National Park Service is legally mandated to preserve Priorities for research w ould be based on (3) collections management plan − guides the national historic site’s primary purpose − preservation of archival collections and to preserve and protect its historic struc- museum objects tures and associated archival collections, (4) collection storage plan − guides furnishings collections, and artifacts collection storage at a park/site (exhibits) w hile balancing opportunities for (5) exhibit plan − serves as a guide for visitors to learn from and be inspired by developing exhibits that support the them. To prevent significant long-ter m interpretive themes of a park/site adverse impacts on the site and its (6) site administrative history − describes resources, the follow ing studies should be how a park/site w as conceived and undertaken: established and how it has been managed up to now (1) historic structure report − guides treatment and use of a historic structure In addition, a historic structure preservation (2) historic resource study − provides a guide should be prepared to ensure historical overview of a park/site or compliance w ith the NPS inventory and region and identifies and evaluates a condition assessment program. park’s/site’s cultural resources within historic contexts Because private vehicle access to the site is (3) cultural landscape report − guides limited by the s mall amount of on-street treatment and use of a cultural parking and most visitors arrive by tour or landscape based on the historic context school buses that drop visitors at the house (4) historic furnishings report − provides a and park elsew here, a study would be done history of a structure’s use and docu- after this General Management Plan to ments the type and placement of identify private vehicle and bus parking furnishings to a period of interpretive options. significance

The follow ing plans should be completed to help implement the recommendations of this general management plan:

52 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT CULTURAL RESOURCES

A SHORT BIOGRAPHY MARY MCLEOD where she had once been a student. Shortly BETHUNE: 1875 1955 thereafter, the Presbyterian board appointed her to a teaching position at Haines Normal Mary McLeod Bethune became one of the and Industrial Institute in Augusta, Georgia. most celebrated African American figure of There she w orked w ith Lucy Craft Laney, the New Deal era and extended her the dynamic black founder and principal of influence as an educator, civil rights activist, the school, w ith w hom she had previously and advocate for women’s equality for more become acquainted and w ho w ould become than three decades from the 1920s to the Mary McLeod’s model for serving others. 1950s. Born near Mayesville, South During the 1896 97 school year, she Carolina, July 10, 1875, she w as the 15th of organized the Mission Sabbath School for 17 children of former slaves who had 275 of the city’s poorest children. After a purchased a small farm after the Civil War. year, she transferred to teach at the Kindell Through the influence of her parents, Institute in Sumter, South Carolina Samuel and Patsy (McIntosh) McLeod, as (1897 98). Follow ing her marriage to well as her ow n self-determination, she Albertus Bethune, a former teacher but then raised herself from the position of a member a mensw ear salesman, in May 1898, the of a cotton farming family to become an Bethunes moved to Savannah, Georgia, to internationally know n figure. further his business career. Their only child, Albert McLeod Bethune, w as born the At a time w hen African Americans rarely follow ing year. Later in 1899, the family attained advanced education due to relocated to Palatka, Florida, w here Mrs. discriminatory practices, Mary McLeod Bethune established a Presbyterian mis- attended the recently opened Trinity sionary school. Albertus Bethune did not Presbyterian Mission School in Mayesville share his w ife’s missionary ardor, how ever, from 1882 to 1886. Aided by a scholarship and they separated. (Albertus would die of and the encouragement of her mentor, tuberculosis in 1918.) Emma Wilson, she attended Scotia Seminary for Negro Gir ls (later Barber- After five years of teaching and administer- Scotia College) in Concord, North Carolina, ing the school in Palatka, Mrs. Bethune’s a missionary outpost of northern Presby- lifelong ambition to build a school for African terians that emphasized religious instruction American girls in the South led her to and industrial education. At Scotia, she Daytona Beach, Florida, w here, in October completed the high school program in 1892 1904, the Daytona Educational and and the Nor mal and Scientific Course tw o Industrial Institute opened w ith Bethune as years later. Although she attended the Bible its president. The school, patterned after the Institute for Home and Foreign Missions Scotia Seminary, w as opened in a rented (later the Moody Bible Institute) in Chicago, house w ith six students five girls and her Illinois, during 1894-95 w ith plans to ow n son. As a result of her business and become a missionary, she w as refused a organizing skills, the assistance of the black commission to serve in Africa by the community, and the largesse of some Presbyterian Mission Board. prominent w hite philanthropists vacationing in Florida, such as James M. Gamble and Disappointed by this turn of events, Mary John D. Rockefeller, Mrs. Bethune’s school McLeod returned to South Carolina and grew from a small elementary school to began her first teaching job at the Trinity incorporate a high school under the banner Presbyterian Mission School in Mayesville, of the Daytona Normal and Industrial

55 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

Institute in 1918. Like most other African September 1920 follow ing adoption of the American institutions of the period, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. As a school stressed religion, secretarial w ork, delegate to the first meeting of the Southern homemaking, and industrial education, w ith Conference for Human Welfare, she voiced emphasis on agriculture and animal her opposition to degrading southern racial husbandry in tandem w ith academics; the customs. school had a farm that focused on the production and handling of food products to While directing the Daytona school, Mrs. meet the school’s needs and to provide Bethune gained national prominence income. By April 1920, 47 girls had through her w ork w ith the National completed the full high school course, and Association of Colored Women. From 1917 10, having completed the institution’s to 1925 she served as president of the teacher training program, w ere teaching in Florida Federation of Colored Women’s Florida’s public schools. Clubs, w hich opened a rehabilitative home for “wayward” and delinquent gir ls in Ocala In 1923 Mrs. Bethune’s school merged w ith in September 1921. In 1920 she founded Cookman Institute, a Jacksonville, Florida, and became president of a regional Methodist Episcopal Church college for association, w hich became the South- men, to become the Daytona- Cookman eastern Federation of Colored Women’s Collegiate Institute w ith 42 faculty members Clubs. One of the major triumphs of this and nearly 800 students. Six years later, the organization w as supplying leadership for school’s name w as changed to Bethune- the w omen’s general committee of the Cookman College in recognition of the regional Commission on Interracial important role that Mrs. Bethune had played Cooperation headquartered in Atlanta. in the school’s grow th and development. In 1932 the institution received regional During 1923 24, Bethune served as accreditation as a junior college, and in president of the National Association of 1936 the high school department w as Teachers in Colored Schools, a professional discontinued. In 1943, the college began organization of black teachers from mostly conferring degrees in teacher education southern states. upon its first four-year graduates. Bethune would serve as the college’s president In 1924 Mrs. Bethune’s w ork culminated in (1932 42, 1946 47) and as president- her election to the presidency of the emeritus, trustee, and chairman of its National Association of Colored Women, an advisory board (1946 55). office regarded by many as the highest to which an African American w oman could As an educator in the South, Mrs. Bethune then aspire. During her tenure in this had concerns that extended beyond position, she directed the organization campus life. In the absence of a municipally increasingly beyond itself to the broader supported medical facility for African social issues confronting American society. Americans, the Daytona school, under her As president of the National Association of guidance, maintained a hospital for African Colored Women, Bethune attended Americans from 1911 to 1927. Dur ing much meetings of the National Council of Women of this period, she also operated the of the United States. This organization Tomoka Mission Schools for the children of provided her w ith expanded contacts black families w orking the Florida turpentine throughout American society. In 1925 this camps. Ignoring threats made by members council of 38 organizations 37 w hite and of the Ku Klux Klan, she organized a black one African American – w as the avenue for female voter registration drive in Florida in

56

AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT the association’s participation in the LL.D., from International Council of Women at its Lincoln University, Oxford, Pennsylvania, quinquennial conference, w hich attracted 1935 representatives from 35 countries to How ard University, Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C. During her four years as 1942 head of the association, Bethune empha- Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia, sized efficient management and developing 1943 a presence in national and international Wiley College, Marshall, Texas, 1943 affairs and continued the organization’s Doctor of Humanities from commitment to a scholarship fund and to Bennett College, Greensboro, North the preservation of the Frederick Douglass Carolina, 1936 home in the nation’s capital as a national West Virginia State College, Institute, me mor ial. West Virginia, 1947 Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida, Mrs. Bethune also w orked aggressively to 1949 project a positive image of African American Benedict College, Columbia, South women to w hites through her travels in the Carolina, 1950 United States and abroad. By her oratory and her example she inspired African In addition, she w as awarded the distin- American w omen to greater levels of guished Joel E. Spingarn Medal by the service. Most important, how ever, she National Association for the Advancement strengthened the structure of the 10,000- of Colored People in 1935, the Francis A. member National Association of Colored Drexel Aw ard by Xavier University in 1937, Women by revising its constitution, and the Thomas Jefferson Award by the improving the association’s periodical, Southern Conference for Human Welfare in National Notes, and promoting greater 1942. communication betw een members. Through a strenuous financial campaign, she suc- On December 5, 1935, in New York City, ceeded in establishing the association’s first Dr. Bethune, along w ith 20 other African permanent national headquarters at 1114 O American w omen representing 14 black Street in Washington, D.C., in 1928, and women’s organizations, established the employing its first paid executive secretary. National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) to unite African American w omen in social During the 1920s, Mrs. Bethune began to planning and action on national and develop a national presence as a result of international levels around such issues as her appointment to the National Child education, employment, health, housing, Welfare Commission by Presidents Calvin civil rights, and international relations. Coolidge and Herbert Hoover. The latter invited her to a White House conference in Although she remained active in the 1930 and appointed her to the Commission National Association of Colored Women, of Home Building and Home Ow nership in she had come to believe that its member 1931. federations and clubs w ere not sufficiently involved in local matters and w ere instead Beginning in 1935, Mrs. Bethune’s grow ing overly oriented tow ard self-help, thus prominence w as recognized by a number of preventing the association from speaking as honorary degrees and distinguished the authoritative national voice that black aw ards. During a 15-year period she w ould women needed. Eloquently, she wrote: receive honorary doctoral degrees from eight colleges and universities:

58

AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

Council House National Historic Site), and Negro Life and History (1936 52), and vice employed a full-time staff. She also president of the Southern Conference for launched the influential Aframerican Human Welfare (1938 48). Her support w as Woman’s Journal, later named Women important to the ongoing w ork of the Uni ted, w hich carried articles about the National Urban League and the National council and also about the many interests of Association for the Advancement of Colored African American w omen. A newsletter, People, serving as a vice president of both Telefact, began publication in 1943. civil rights organizations for many years.

By the end of Dr. Bethune’s tenure as Dr. Bethune’s most significant influence as president, the council had become the an African American leader came, how ever, largest federation of African American through her role in the administration of women’s clubs in the United States. The President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It w as she council included 22 national w omen’s who primarily educated Eleanor Roosevelt, organizations, including professional and whom Bethune had met in 1927 through her occupational groups, both broadly based work w ith the National Association of and subject-restricted academic sororities, Colored Women, on the problems of African Christian denominational societies, fraternal Americans in the United States. She w as associations, auxiliaries, and various other one of several African Americans w ho had groups. Today, the council, w ith its new direct access to the White House, providing headquarters at 633 Pennsylvania Avenue, her w ith a unique opportunity to personally NW (dedicated in October 1995), has an urge the president to advance civil rights outreach of more than 4 million w omen in its and promote African American interests. membership through national affiliate organizations. In August 1935, through Eleanor Roosevelt’s influence, Dr. Bethune w as Dr. Bethune propelled the National Council appointed to the 35- member National of Negro Women to the forefront of the Advisory Committee of the National Youth country’s women’s race organizations Administration (NYA). The agency’s primary through its “Conference on Governmental purpose w as to help young people find Cooperation in the Approach to the employ ment during the depression and later Problems of Negro Women and Children,” during the Wor ld War II defense effort. She held on April 4, 1938, at the Department of used her relatively minor advisory position the Interior and the White House. The 1938 as a springboard; in June 1936 she w as conference revealed her basic strategy for placed in charge of Negro affairs within the racial advancement, w hich w as to w in National Youth Administration, and in policy-making and management positions in January 1939 she became director of the government for competent African American Division of Negro Affairs. The directorship women. This emphasis upon upper-level represented the highest federal appointment employ ment w as designed to benefit the ever held by an African American w oman to black masses. that time and facilitated her functioning in the agency’s managerial hierarchy. In this Forceful and articulate, Dr. Bethune w as a position, she influenced the agency to adopt natural leader and concerned herself w ith nondiscriminatory employ ment policies and improving the status of all African Ameri- to recognize special African American cans regardless of socioeconomic position needs. She persuaded the National Youth or gender. Among other positions, she Administration to expand the Division of served as vice president of the Commission Negro Affairs at the national level and to on Interracial Cooperation (1934 55), employ 27 African American administrative president of the Association for the Study of assistants at the state level.

60

Cultural Resources

In 1953 Bethune established the Mary special client population w ith long-term McLeod Bethune Foundation as a nonprofit stakes in the integrity of the site’s resources corporation to promote her social and and the outcomes of management decisions educational ideals. Undaunted, she that affect those resources. continued to champion democratic values and faith in the A merican creed until she died at her home as the result of a heart MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE COUNCIL attack on May 18, 1955, at the age of 79. HOUSE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE One of the South’s most w ell-know n and A BRIEF HISTORY prominent w omen, she w as buried on a mound overlooking the campus of Bethune- During much of the 19th century up to the Cookman College. Civil War, the area now called Logan Circle was known as Blodgett’s Wilderness, consisting primarily of sparsely settled ARCHEOLOGICAL RESOURCES farmland. During and immediately after the Civil War, a few small-scale dw ellings No archeological surveys have been most of them constructed of wood were conducted at the national historic site. erected in the area, primarily to house the How ever, the likelihood of finding freed African Americans and runaw ay archeological resources at the site is low slaves then pouring into Washington. After because the historic site and its surrounding the circle w as graded and grass and trees area have been disturbed by activities were planted during the early 1870s, the associated w ith subdivision, development, area became a highly desirable neighbor- and construction as part of the urban hood for white upper-class and upper expansion of Washington, D.C., beginning middle-class Washingtonians as the in the 1870s. nation’s capital city expanded. In 1901 the bronze equestrian statue of Major General John A. Logan (1826-86), sculpted by ETHNOGRAPHIC RESOURCES Franklin Simons and erected on a pink marble base, w as dedicated. Logan w as African Americans, and particularly African commander of the Army of the Tennessee American w omen, are identified as a during the Civil War and later served as the traditionally associated group w ith Mary commander of the Grand Ar my of the McLeod Bethune Council House National Republic. He also served as a member of Historic Site. At the national historic site, the U.S. House of Representatives Bethune and the National Council of Negro (1859 62, 1867 71) and the U.S. Senate Women, w hich she founded, spearheaded (1871 77, 1879 86) from Illinois. strategies and developed programs that advanced the interests of African American During the early 1870s, Anton Heitmuller, a women and the black community from 1943 real estate agent and land speculator, to 1966. The site is the location of the ow ned several lots on Vermont Avenue. In National Archives for Black Women’s 1873 74, Heitmuller sold tw o of his lots to History, w hich houses the largest manu- tobacconist and real estate developer, script collection of materials solely dedi- William S. Roose. Roose later built houses cated to African American w omen and their on his property and sold the tow nhouse at organizations. Thus, the site is linked w ith 1318 Vermont to John J. McElhone, a their sense of purpose, existence as a reporter for the House of Representatives, community in the struggle to achieve civil and his w ife Mary in 1875. rights, and development as an ethnically distinctive people. Thus, they represent a

65 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

Follow ing the death of John McElhone in would serve as the headquarters for the 1890, Frank G. Carpenter, a w ell-know n National Council of Negro Women, Dr. journalist w hose popular column on Wash- Bethune’s official Washington, D.C., ington social life w as syndicated in new s- address until 1949, and guest accommoda- papers throughout the nation, and his w ife tions for out-of-town visitors. Joanna purchased the residence in 1892. The Carpenters retained ow nership until After its purchase by the council, the council 1912 w hen the property w as purchased by house w as modernized and redecorated, Italian immigrants Alphonso and Anna being furnished w ith the help of individuals, Gravalles. The Gravalles operated a ladies’ businesses, and organizations w hose tailoring shop in their new home. In 1918 contributions w ere commemorated through tw o 8-inch steel I-beams w ere installed over the naming of the rooms. Among other the sliding alley door in the tw o-story brick things, the council installed new plumbing garage (now referred to as the “carriage fixtures, heating radiators, and chimney house”) which had been erected in the ear ly flues and initiated roof repairs. In the 1890s to replace a w ood stable and shed. In elegant front parlor, w hich w as furnished 1934 a raised open rear porch, including a and decorated as a formal reception room brick and steel frame and a w ood floor and by Abe Lichtman, ow ner of numerous roof, was added to the residence. Mrs. Washington, D.C. theaters, the council Gravalles lived in the house for 31 years received many prominent visitors, including before selling the property to Dr. Bethune Eleanor Roosevelt, Mary Church Terrell and the National Council of Negro Women who had founded the National Association for $15,500 in December 1943. of Colored Women, and the United Nations delegate from India, Madame Pandit. By the 1940s, the Logan Circle area w as located near the center of African American From 1943 until 1966, the paneled social life and culture in Washington and conference room in the council house w as had attracted many African American pro- the site of many meetings in w hich the fessionals and activists. The area w as also National Council of Negro Women defined close to Dupont Circle, the home of many of its role in such historic decisions as the the w ealthiest w hite Washingtonians w ho integration of African Americans in the were sources of patronage for Dr. Bethune nation’s defense program and public school and her organization. On October 15, 1944, systems, as well as in campaigns to the house w as dedicated in a ceremony desegregate restaurants and theaters in attended by Eleanor Roosevelt, Agnes Washington, D.C. A host of programs w ere Meyer, w ife of the editor and publisher of initiated from 1318 Vermont to address the the Washington Post, Dr. Charlotte Haw kins problems of inadequate housing, racial Brow n, founder of the Palmer Memorial discrimination, health care, employ ment, Institute in North Carolina, and NCNW and preservation of African American members from various parts of the nation. women's history. The site w as also used as a rallying point for national organizations The purchase of the home w as made and individuals that participated in the possible in part by a $10,000 donation from March on Washington, on August 28, 1963. Marshall Field, publisher of some of the nation’s leading newspapers, as well as In January 1966 the council house w as contributions from the NCNW executive damaged by a fire, started by a leak in the staff. Additional funds w ere raised by heating oil tank in the basement furnace NCNW affiliates. Comprised of 15 rooms, room. While the building core remained one kitchen, and tw o bathrooms, the home, intact, extensive w ater and smoke damage soon be designated as the “council house,” resulted. The National Council of Negro

66 Cultural Resources

Women w as forced to relocate its head- into agreements w ith the National Council of quarters to 1346 Connecticut Avenue in the Negro Women under w hich the secretary Dupont Circle area. The council house might provide technical and financial stood abandoned until 1975, w hen the assistance in restoring and interpreting the council received grant money to begin house museum and archives associated rehabilitation and restoration w ork after the with the site. A cooperative agreement building w as listed on the Washington, D.C., betw een the council and the secretary of the Register of Historic Sites. In 1977, under a interior w as approved on November 17, contract from the National Endow ment for 1982. The site became an affiliated area of the Humanities, the National Council of the national park system three years later. Negro Women established a program named “The Bethune Historical Develop- In 1982 the Bethune Museum and Archives, ment Project” to develop a museum and Inc. w as incorporated under the laws of the archives for black w omen’s history. Funding District of Columbia. The National Council of was obtained from the National Trust for Negro Women continued to ow n the Historic Preservation to restore the site. property; how ever, the national historic site During the rehabilitation w ork, w hich was operated and maintained by the continued through 1978, portions of the Bethune Museum and Archives. Although carriage house w ere converted into office this association maintained a relationship and storage space. with the council, the association had its ow n board of directors and raised its own funds. On November 11, 1979, the Mary McLeod The council supported this arrangement so Bethune Memorial Museum and National that the national historic site w ould fulfill Archives for Black Women’s History was Mary McLeod Bethune’s dream of opened to the public. The First National preserving and documenting the history and Scholarly Research Conference on Black contributions of African American w omen in Women, entitled “Black Women: An America. Thereafter, the Bethune Museum Historical Perspective,” timed to coincide Association has sponsored changing with the opening of the museum and exhibitions on African American w omen’s archives, was attended by more than 2,000 history and culture, conducted lecture and people. More than 50 scholars presented concert series, produced educational videos professional papers on the role of African and publications, and administered the American w omen in music, literature, archives in the carriage house. familial relationships, professions, media, arts, and the American political and legal During 1988 91, another phase of resto- systems. While the council house w as ration w ork occurred at the national historic operated as a house museum, the carriage site. Exterior w ork included repairing the house served as an archival facility for the black and w hite marble w alkw ay in front of collection, preservation, and interpretation the council house, installing new brown- of materials devoted to African American stone steps on the stoop, refabricating the women’s history. iron railing and gates, replacing the 40- pound tin roof, gutters, and dow nspouts, During 1980 81, the National Council of replacing the rotted w ood framing beneath Negro Women began a second phase of the roof, and installing tw o new air- restoration w ork to return the council house conditioning units on the roof of the ell. A to an appearance reminiscent of the 1880s. new rear porch w ith a slightly sloped roof The council house w as designated a supported by tw o fluted metal Doric national historic site by an act of Congress columns resting on the ground replaced the in 1982. In addition, the act authorized and raised porch that had been constructed in directed the secretary of the interior to enter 1934. The entire rear w all of the structure

67 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT was stuccoed, and the kitchen door leading residents to a new ly developing part of the to the rear patio w as sealed. Landscaping of city. the back yard consisted of new "period" plantings in brick planters and a patio laid The L-shaped row house, constructed in the with marble squares to match the front Second Empire style w hich was popular at walkway. the time, stood three stories in height w ith a raised basement and attic and featured On the interior of the council house, new Neo-Grecian details and brick w alls. It had a wiring and air ducts w ere installed, the one-story bay window that dominated the fireplace openings w ere sealed, the kitchen three-bay-w ide front façade on Vermont was converted into a gift shop, and some Avenue, a side-hall entrance, a rear ell that minor remodeling of the office space on the projects tow ard the w est end of the lot, and second floor was undertaken. a mansard roof. A w ood stable and shed were at the rear of the lot adjacent to an The tw o historic buildings lack a systematic alley. approach to preservation and maintenance. A historic resource study is currently being The brick basement w alls are about 15 contracted through a university cooperative inches thick. The structure’s walls are agreement. The study w ill provide the constructed of red brick laid in an eight- baseline data necessary for the long-term course brick pattern, except for the east or interpretation of the site. A historic structure street façade that has no rows of headers report is needed to provide for the and is most likely a brick veneer over a brick rehabilitation, preservation, and supporting w all. maintenance of the structures. Ashlar stones resting on the brick founda- In 1991 the National Park Service was tion of the house support the front stoop. authorized to acquire and manage the Five brow nstone steps, flanked by heavy national historic site as part of the national wrought-iron railings, lead to the front park system. The site w as acquired by the entrance. The new el posts of the railings National Park Service in 1994, and the fol- have octagonal-shaped posts similar to low ing year NPS staff were hired to manage those on the interior staircases. At the back the site. The National Par k Service has re- of the house stands a one-story porch, created the feel of the council house during added in 1991, that runs the length of the Dr. Bethune’s association w ith the property rear w all. Its tw o w hite metal columns w ith through the use of historic photographs and fluted shafts and Doric capitals support a surviving furniture. Today, the property slightly sloped roof of tin w ith standing commemorates the life and contributions of seams. Mary McLeod Bethune and the many African American w omen w ho have shaped Tw o interior brick chimneys, both w ith short American history. straight stacks, rise through the house. One is centered along the common w all on the south side of the building. The other is COUNCIL HOUSE centered along an interior w all at the w est end of the rear ell. The council house is one of a number of structures erected in the Logan Circle area The mansard roof, covered w ith tin sheets during the post-Civil War expansion of the and hexagonal slate shingles, graces the city. Its dignified style, shared by other street façade of the house. Three dormers, buildings on Vermont Avenue and neigh- each capped by an arched w ood pediment boring streets, attracted investors and crowned by a carved w ood keystone,

68

AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

CARRIAGE HOUSE the 1980s. This planter is similar to one that was original to the site. The tw o houses The only outbuilding at the national historic south of the council house also have site is a tw o-story brick carriage house at planters in the same locations in their yards. the rear end of the lot adjacent to an alley. The back yard, betw een the council house Constructed during the early 1890s to and the carriage house, has been rede- replace an earlier w ood shed and stable, signed into a s mall courtyard w ith side the carriage house w alls are laid in an planters. It is believed that little if anything of irregular brick pattern w ith courses ranging the historic landscape of the back patio area from headers at every fifth row at the middle still exists. height of the w alls to every eighth row at the top and bottom of the w alls. Brick lintels add Because no cultural landscape report has some ornament to the roofline. The w in- been prepared for the site, it is not know n if dow s in the east and w est façades, facing the landscape reflects characteristic the rear of the house and alley, respectively, features of the Bethune era. The landscape have been removed and replaced w ith components are w ell maintained and aluminum sliding w indows. One small compatible w ith those of nearby properties. arched brick lintel in the east w all is the only evidence of original fenestration. A small door in the north end of the w all has NATIONAL ARCHIVES FOR replaced the large sliding garage door BLACK WOM EN’S HISTORY (installed in 1918) that opened on to the alley. The building has a flat roof covered His tor y with 40-pound tin. During 1988-91, the interior w as completely gutted and con- The idea for an archival facility dedicated to verted into a space to house the National the study of African American w omen’s Archives for Black Women’s History. history dates back to the late 1930s w hen historian Mary Beard established the World Center for Women’s Archives. Beard asked HISTORIC LANDSCAPE DESIGN Dr. Bethune to serve as one of two African American sponsors of the World Center. In The council house is set on a slight rise of 1939 Bethune appointed Dorothy Porter of land above the street level. A black the Moorland Foundation at How ard wrought-iron fence, about 3 feet in height, University as the National Council of Negro surrounds the front yard. Identical gates run Women’s representative on the World along the sidew alk and around the yards of Center’s Negro Women’s Committee on the neighbor ing buildings. Immediately Archives. inside the tw o arched wrought-iron gates is a short sidew alk w ith black and w hite Dr. Bethune w as one of the first African marble squares laid in concrete in checker- American leaders to recognize the impor- board pattern. Three stone steps lead to the tance of preserving historical records, next sidew alk w ith the same checkerboard especially those pertaining to African pattern. This w alk leads to the front stoop. American w omen, and the impact of those The entire w alk has been rehabilitated. The records on future generations. Proud of the tw o houses south of the historic site have rich and diverse contributions black w omen similar sidew alks. Flow er beds line the have made to American culture, she perimeter of the yard and border a central envisioned a per manent and grow ing law n to the left of the front steps. In the collection that w ould be used by historians center of the law n stands a large black iron and educators. urn set on a pedestal that w as installed in

70 Cultural Resources

Thus, w hen the World Center disbanded in Archival Collections 1940, the National Council of Negro Women assumed the initiative and established its The National Archives for Black Women’s ow n archives committee w ith Dorothy Porter History houses both personal papers and as national chairperson. At that time, the organizational archives containing audio- council began promoting the study of tapes, correspondence, magazines, memo- African American history through exhibits at rabilia, photographs, posters, reports, and its national headquarters, preparation of his- scrapbooks. The collections document tory kits, and production of radio programs. African American w omen’s activism in the 20th century, w ith emphases on Mary Sue Bailey Thurman, editor of the National McLeod Bethune, the National Council of Council of Negro Women’s Aframerican Negro Women, and other affiliated African Woman’s Journal, participated actively on American w omen’s organizations. The the archives committee and became its collections housed in the archives cover a chair in 1944. She promoted and planned wide range of issues, including civil rights, for an archival facility, including publishing consumer concerns, education, employ- calls for donations of funds and materials in ment, health, housing, internationalism, the journal. The council developed plans for religion, and w omen. The archival facility a national archives day in 1946 to be held at has (1) more than 600 linear feet of Madison Square Garden in New York City. manuscripts, (2) a small reference library of standard sources in African American The archives committee continued to women’s history, including some unpub- function for more than 30 years under lished papers from the First National various titles. One milestone w as the Scholarly Research Conference on Black council’s inauguration of the Bethune Women, (3) a vertical file on African Collection on Black Women’s Organizations American w omen, their organizations, and in 1976. The National Council of Negro institutions, and (4) more than 4,000 photo- Women finally achieved its goal of graphs and other audiovisual materials. The establishing a national archives on National Archives for Black Women’s November 11, 1979, w ith the dedication of History also serves as a clearinghouse for the Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial information on African American w omen’s Museum and the National Archives for history resources and publishes an annual Black Women’s History. The National Park bibliography on African American w omen’s Service purchased the council house history. property and archives in 1994, and administers the archives through a The largest collection in the archives, the cooperative agreement w ith the National Records of the National Council of Negro Council of Negro Women and Bethune Women, consists of audiotapes, corre- Museum and Archives, Inc. These organi- spondence, memoranda, photographs, zations provide public programs on a publications, and reports. The records monthly basis and in return are provided document the period betw een the founding office space, administrative support, storage of the National Council of Negro Women in space, and financial assistance. The 1935 through the ear ly 1980s. The National Park Service has retained the collection demonstrates the w ide influence original name of the national archives that Mary McLeod Bethune had in both the because of the name’s ties to Mary McLeod African American community and in the Bethune and a desire to ensure the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt. continuing visibility of the archives. Other topics w ith significant coverage include the council’s role in the civil rights movement and its use of Great Society

71 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT programs to foster self-help initiatives in the • several collections relating to African rural South. The correspondence offers American w omen in the nursing evidence of the regular interaction betw een profession the four presidents of the council and the White House and the leaders of other • several collections from the affiliates of African American and w omen’s the National Council of Negro Women, organizations. including several professional sororities

An abbreviated list of the collections in the Although the National Archives for Black National Archives for Black Women’s Women’s History archival collections have History includes the follow ing: been processed according to professional standards, they are stored in the carriage • records of the National Council on house, w hich has some but not all environ- Household Employment, dealing w ith mental conditions necessary to ensure their domestic w orkers, once the largest long-term preservation. An inadequate fire component of African American w omen protection system and the lack of a vapor workers barrier and adequate insulation further threaten their safety A portion of the archival • records of the National Alliance of Black collection remains uncatalogued and Feminists, w hich discusses the African unprocessed in leased space offsite. American reaction to the National Organization of Women and the Equal For a discussion of related sites in Rights Amendment Washington, D.C., please see the “Relationship to the Neighborhood, Related • records of the National Association of Sites, and Other Planning Efforts” section. Fashion and Accessory Designers

• several collections relating to African American w omen in the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps

72 VISITOR USE / EXPERIENCE

Visitors access the site by foot, car, or bus. house, photographs of Mrs. Bethune w ith The nearest metro stop is about five blocks dignitar ies such as First Lady Eleanor aw ay. Parking is difficult to find for visitors Roosevelt and photographs of past and arriving by car. No parking that is specifi- present officers of the National Council of cally for the site is provided. Buses stop in Negro Women. The second floor of the the street to allow visitors on and off. During house contains Mrs. Bethune’s bedroom tours, buses park in the lot of a nearby with photographs of her birthplace, parents, commercial establishment. the schools she founded, and the sugar cane farm she established in Florida. The total number of visitors per calendar year has declined somew hat during the past The room Mary McLeod Bethune used as three years of the site’s operation, w ith total an office, on the second floor, contains annual visitor numbers ranging from a low photographs of her w ith President Franklin of 6,577 in 1999 to a high of 8,213 in 1997. D. Roosevelt, his black cabinet, civic Through July of 2000, 4,415 visitors have leaders, Vice President Harry Truman, and been to the site. NPS staff contact an esti- members of the National Council of Negro mated 2,000 additional people through Women and the National Association of outreach programs. The archives services Colored Women. Also on the second floor onsite researchers and questions over the are photographs of other black w omen phone. The number of contacts has ranged educators and their students. An exhibit from a low of 220 in 1999 to a high of 417 in case shows examples of papers w ith 1996. The number of researchers using the themes similar to those in the archival archives facilities has varied from a low of collections. 51 in 1997 to a high of 105 in 1998. As part of the historic site’s outreach pro- Tours of the house are available year-round gram, traveling exhibits are taken to schools betw een 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M., Monday and other venues in the community. The – Saturday. Tours may be scheduled in video and a slide program are presented to advance for groups or individuals but also civic groups and to people w ho are unable are available on a w alk-in basis. They are to come to the historic site, such as senior conducted by tw o on-duty rangers. Visits to citizens or those w ith disabilities. the archive facility are by appointment only. The historic site’s authorizing legislation Tours last about one hour and begin in the directed the Park Service “to enter into a living room or reception area w ith an cooperative agreement w ith nonprofit interpretive talk about Mary McLeod organizations dedicated to preserving and Bethune and a w alk through the first and interpreting the life and w ork of Mary second floors of the house. A video lasting McLeod Bethune and the history and about 25 minutes tells visitors of Mrs. contributions of African-American w omen.” Bethune’s life and times, her contributions The National Park Service has entered into as an educator, famous people in her a cooperative agreement w ith the Bethune acquaintance, her influence in politics, and Museum and Archives, Inc. and the National her campaigns for human better ment. Council of Negro Women, Inc. to provide the resources, direction, and coordination to Exhibits in the house are mostly permanent; present public programs, seminars and one room has changing exhibits. The first lectures and to interpret Bethune’s life and floor exhibits include a history of the council work and the history and contributions of

73 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

African American w omen. The Bethune Other special programs are provided Museum and Archives has also arranged throughout the year by site staff, and special special programs such as lectures and programs for children and teachers are cultural heritage series on black history; offered regularly. There are annual special training in the use of archives; children’s programs during February (Black History events such as a marionette program and month) and March (Women’s History holiday celebration programs; fundraisers month,); at an open house the first w eekend and community outreach events such as in June (for museum w alk w eekend); and at Thanksgiving dinner for homeless w omen; an open house on July 10 in honor of Mary educational programs for students; and film McLeod Bethune's birthday. events.

74 SOCIOECONOMIC ENVIRONM ENT

POPULATION AND ECONOMY nation. Per capita personal income for the Washington MSA w as 132% of the national The region of socioeconomic influence is average w ith $36,043 and ranked 14th in the the Washington metropolitan area, w hich nation. encompasses Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia in addition to the District of Unemploy ment in the metropolitan statistical Columbia. According to the Bureau of area ranged from 2.0% in April 2000 to Economic Analysis, the District alone had a 2.9% in January and February 1999. ( U.S. population of 519,000 in 1999. The District rates w ere 3.9% in May 2000 to 4.8% in ranked 50th in population in the state January 1999.) rankings of the nation and has decreased at the rate of 14.5% since the 1990 census. Grow th in earnings of persons employed in Annual per capita personal income in 1999 the Washington MSA increased 7.6% from in the District of Columbia w as $39,858. 1997 to 1998. The industries w ith largest This figure w as 140% of the national earnings in 1998 w ere services, federal average of $28,542 and ranked second in civilian government w ith 18.9% and state the United States. The 1999 per capita and local government w ith 7.6%. The slow - personal income reflected a 5.7% increase est grow ing industry accounting for at least from 1998 compared to 4.5% for the 5% of earnings was federal civilian govern- national change. According to the U.S. ment w ith an increase of 0.1%. The fastest Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor grow ing industry in the Washington MSA Statistics, the unemployment rate in the was finance, insurance, and real estate. District during the period January 1999 through May 2000 ranged from a low of Within the District of Columbia, neighbor- 4.9% in April 2000 to 7.4% in January 1999. hoods are grouped into political divisions called w ards for voting and representation In 1999 the services sector w as the largest purposes. The w ards include advisory industry in the District of Columbia’s neighborhood councils that advise the employ ment base w ith 40.1% of earnings. District government on public policy, zoning, Federal civilian government w as the second public improvements and other issues of largest industry w ith 35.0% of earnings local significance. Mary McLeod Bethune follow ed by finance, insurance, and real Council House National Historic Site is in estate w ith 5.7%. Earnings of persons Ward 2. In 1998 Ward 2 had a population of employed in the District in 1999 increased approximately 69,600 people, a decrease of by 8.1% from 1998. Considering industries about 11.5% since 1990. Sixty-one percent with at least 5% of earnings in 1999, federal of the population w as white, 31% w as black, civilian government w as the slowest and the remainder belonged to Latino and grow ing and increased in earnings by 6.9% ‘other’ ethnic groups. The median house- from 1998. The fastest growing employment hold income w as $46,732 compared to the sector was finance, insurance, and real District’s median of $43,011. In 1990, estate, w hich increased 10.0% from 1998. housing units in the w ard were 60% renter occupied, 26% w ere owner occupied, and The total population of the metropolitan 14% w ere vacant. statistical area (MSA) w as about 4,661,000 in 1998, the most recent year for which MSA statistics were available. The size of the Washington MSA ranked 6th in the

75 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

LAND USE Vermont Street, deciduous trees line the street, and smaller vegetation types add Land use in the vicinity of the council house contrast to man-made structures. The is a mix of residential and commercial structures and small landscaped areas buildings, public facilities, and city streets. exhibit varying degrees of maintenance, The council house is one of a series of row integrity, and modernization. Although the houses in the Logan Circle Historic District. overall character reflects the Victorian era Some row houses and other large single- (1875 1900), there also are contemporary family homes in the immediate neighbor- examples of architecture including a hood have been converted to apartments or multistory apartment building across undergone renovation. Vermont Avenue from the council house.

The national historic site is on one side of a At the historic site, the three-story brick row triangular-shaped piece of land formed by house is set back from the sidew alk, and Vermont, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island there is a small landscaped area in front of Avenues that lead to the three monument the house. A brick courtyard with planters park areas of Logan, Thomas, and Scott separates the carriage house from the rear Circles. Small commercial enterprises, such of the main building. as restaurants, retail, and service busines- ses, are located behind the council house along 14th Street, w hich is a major commer- TRANSPORTATION AND SIT E ACCESS cial artery in the district. Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church is on Vermont Avenue a few struc- Numerous transportation modes provide tures aw ay from the council house. Also access to the national historic site, including nearby is a modern “settlement house” private vehicles, public transit, taxis, and which provides shelter for homeless special transportation services for tourists. women. Private vehicle use for site access is limited by the small amount of on-street parking Beyond the immediate neighborhood of the and the lack of onsite parking. Public transit council house, land use includes an upscale includes the Metrorail (subw ay) and commercial area w ith hotels, restaurants, Metrobus, w hich both provide access within and high-rise office buildings. Embassy Row a few blocks of the site. A proposed shuttle is nearby along Massachusetts Avenue, so system that will link the National Mall with called because of the embassies from other the dow ntown area is in the planning countries. Notable sites in the vicinity stages. This shuttle is proposed to make a include the Carter F. Woodson Home stop w ithin a few blocks of the council National Historic Landmark, Sumner house. Due to the site’s proximity to major School, and the Metropolitan A ME (African roadw ays and hotels, access to taxis is Methodist Episcopalian) Church. within easy w alking distance.

Most visitors arrive by bus, including school VISUAL QUALITY buses and commercial tour buses, w hich drop visitors in front of the council house The visual character of the council house is and go to another location to park. that of a developed urban landscape, and The implementation of any of the view s are dominated by buildings and city alternatives w ould not be expected to result streets. Essentially all of the original in a large influx of visitors to the site and landscape has been altered by grading, would not have an appreciable impact on pavement, and building construction. In the transportation or site access. primarily residential neighborhood of

76 SITE ADM I NIST RATION A ND OP ERATIONS

STRUCTURES permeating the entire house. The offices’ sizes and shapes are residential rooms, and The Mary McLeod Bethune Council House do not provide effective sizes as use for National Historic Site consists of a row offices. In addition, the electrical and phone house and a carriage house. systems were designed for residential use and do not easily accommodate demands Each floor of the council house has about for computer access. 1,600 square feet (gross). The first floor contains interpretive exhibits, orientation/ The council house is constructed on a rise movie area, and a bookstore. The second from the public sidew alk. A low wrought iron floor contains interpretive exhibits, one fence and gate is located at the edge of the office, and a public restroom. The third floor site. Visitors enter through the gate (w hich has four offices and an employee restroom. is locked w hen the site is closed), walk These offices are shared w ith the Bethune about 3 feet, climb four steps, walk another Museum and Archives. The basement 10 feet, and climb seven additional stairs to contains mechanical equipment, some get to the front door. Inside, the upper tw o storage, one office, a kitchen, an employee floors are accessed by a steep narrow eating area, and an employee restroom. staircase. Another steep, almost spiral Based on a group size of 15, a 20-minute staircase is in the rear of the house. The video follow ed by a one-hour tour, a staff of house is almost impossible, for visitors or tw o interpreters, and the existing operating employees w ith mobility problems to enter; hours, it has been deter mined that the once inside, the second-floor (and only) overall carrying capacity should be about public restroom is also nearly impossible to 105 people per day in the council house. access.

Visitation to the site consists of about 70% The carriage house is a tw o-story brick bus and school tours. Large groups are structure that is contiguous w ith both the difficult to handle in the residential scale of side and rear property lines. The archives, the site. The visitor center and orientation consisting of rolling shelves, restroom and area is in the former council room on the storage are on the first floor. The second first floor of the house, and a small book- floor is offices. Functionally, visitors and store is adjacent to this room. The visitor researchers access the archival collections center seats 30 40 people for view ing the before any archivial staff. How ever, due to video. This space, along w ith the single the w eight of the collections and the lack of public restroom on the second floor, is not structural support for the anticipated w eight, adequate w hen a full bus tour or more than the collections w ere located on the first one tour arrives. In addition, the house and floor. The office space is undersized and public restroom are not handicap poorly designed for its functions. Space is accessible. not available to w ork on the collections. No separate space is available for researchers. Sound carries easily through the house. Volunteers assisting w ith the collections Tw o simulutaneous tours interfere w ith each have little space and very limited computer other. Tours are easily heard in the offices equipment. The storage space of the and are distruptive. Visitors often go past archives is close to full. If collections the theater ropes and enter into the offices currently under discussion w ith the ow ner on the third floor. The kitchen is no longer are acquired, the collections w ill exceed used for employee cooking, due to s mells capacity of the archives.

77 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

The building has been retrofitted w ith a National Capitol Parks East maintenance HVAC system to retain the archival staff or contracted out. collections at an optimum temperature. Security has been added to the carriage house. The carriage house has not been STAFF fitted w ith a dehumidifier, vapor barrier, insulation, or fire protection system and, The Mary McLeod Bethune Council House therefore, does not meet all the environ- National Historic Site is ow ned and mental conditions for professional archival operated by the National Par k Service, standards. The house has a humidifier (for which continues to have a partnership w ith winter) and plug-in dehumidifiers (for the Bethune Museum and Archives, Inc. summer). The lack of a vapor barrier and and the National Archvies for Black insulation on the building minimizes the Women’s History, Inc. Both the National dehumidifying effects. Par k Service and the Bethune Museum and Archives, Inc., have staff in the council The first floor of the archives can be house. The National Park Service currently accessed via an alley behind the site. Stairs has six employees: are the only w ay to get to the second floor. The archival offices on the second floor are 1 site manager not accessible to visitors or employees w ith 2 site rangers mobility problems. 1 archivist (unfilled) 1 maintenance w orker 1 secretary (unfilled) OP ERATIONS A ND M AINT ENA NC E The Bethune Museum and Archives staff Mary McLeod Bethhune Council House currently consists of three employees: National Historic Site is one of eight sites of 1 program manager National Capitol Parks East, an administra- 1 program assistant tive consortium of park areas. Park head- 1 archival assistant (unfilled) quarters, the superintendent, and division chiefs are located at Anacostia Park, about Staff levels are currently the minimum to 5 miles from the site. keep the site open to the public. Any staff vacancies, or employees on vacation or sick Most routine maintenance is handled by the leave impacts the ability of the staff to one site maintenance employee, including perform necessary functions, including regular interior and exterior maintenance. interpretation and updating/modifying the Special events w ith the Bethune Museum Web site. For example, currently, the and Archives and the National Council of archives are closed until the archivist Negro Women require organization, set-up, position can be filled. Minimal staff levels hauling, and various tasks. The site also prevent development of interpretive joins in a seasonal house tour of the historic programs from the archivial materials The district and once a year provides a leaf pick- staff numbers also limit updating the up as a good w ill gesture to the block. website and proactive involvement in Larger or specialized maintenance tasks, schools and other local programs. No staff such as structural repairs, house painting, parking is provided. or plumbing repairs, are handled by the .

78 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

79 INTRODUCTION

The National Environmental Policy Act person undertakes such other actions. (NEPA) requires that environmental Cumulative impacts can result from documents discuss the environmental individually minor but collectively significant impacts of a proposed federal action, actions taking place over a period of time." feasible alternatives to that action, and any adverse environmental effects that cannot Past, present, and reasonably foreseeable be avoided if the preferred alternative is future actions include structural and implemented. The follow ing portion of this landscape rehabilitation programs and management plan analyzes the beneficial ongoing preservation efforts at the council and adverse impacts of implementing each house and by private property ow ners in the of the four alternatives on cultural surrounding Logan Circle Historic District. resources, the visitor experience, the socioeconomic environment, and site Ongoing participation in visitor events such administration and operations. as the self-guided Dupont-Kalorama Museum Walk and the Washington, D.C., The alternatives are primarily conceptual, Black History National Recreation Trail by and most potential consequences are Mary McLeod Bethune National Historic Site presented in qualitative terms. If and w hen has cumulative beneficial impacts on specific developments or other actions are visitors’ know ledge of Washington’s African proposed subsequent to this General American history by offering a broad range Management Plan / Environmental Impact of stories. Statement, NPS staff will determine w hether more detailed environmental documentation is needed in accord w ith NEPA IMPAIRMENT OF SITE RESOURCES requirements. In addition to deter mining the environmental Impact analysis discussions are organized consequences of implementing the by topics. Methods used in the environ- preferred and other alternatives, NPS policy mental impact analysis precede discussions (Interpreting the National Park Service of each impact topic in alternative 1; Organic Act, National Park Service Manage- alternatives 2-4 follow a similar format but ment Policies) requires analysis of potential do not repeat the method discussion. effects to determine w hether or not actions would impair site resources.

CUMULATIVE IMPACTS The fundamental purpose of the national park system, established by the Organic Act Each resource topic discussion in each and reaffirmed by the General Authorities alternative also details cumulative impacts Act, as amended, begins w ith a mandate to and presents a conclusion. According to conserve park/site resources and values. regulations developed by the Council on NPS managers must alw ays seek w ays to Environmental Quality (CEQ), regulation avoid, or to minimize to the greatest degree 1508.7, a cumulative impact is "the impact practicable, adverse impacts on park/site on the environment w hich results from the resources and values. How ever, the law s do incremental impact of the action w hen give the National Par k Service the manage- added to other past, present, and reason- ment discretion to allow impacts on park/site ably foreseeable future actions regardless resources and values w hen necessary and of what agency (federal or non-federal) or appropriate to fulfill the purposes of the

81 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES park/site, as long as the impact does not extent that it affects a resource or value constitute impair ment of the affected whose conservation is: resources and values. Although Congress has given the National Par k Service the necessary to fulfill specific purposes management discretion to allow certain identified in the establishing legislation or impacts w ithin a park or site, that discretion proclamation of the park/site; is limited by the statutory requirement that key to the natural or cultural integrity of the the National Park Service must leave park/ park/site or to opportunities for site resources and values unimpaired, enjoyment of the park/site; or unless a particular law directly and identified as a goal in the park’s/site’s specifically provides otherwise. The general management plan or other prohibited impairment is an impact that, in relevant NPS planning documents. the professional judgement of the responsible Nation Park Service manager, Impair ment may result from NPS activities would harm the integrity of park/site in managing the park/site, visitor activities, resources and values, including the or activities undertaken by concessioners, opportunities that otherw ise w ould be contractors, and others operating in the present for the enjoyment of those park/site. A determination on impair ment is resources or values. An impact to any made in the “ Environmental Consequences” park/site resource or value may constitute section in the conclusion section for an impairment. An impact w ould be more appropriate impact topics. likely to constitute an impairment to the

82 IMPACTS ON CULTURAL RESOURCES

METHODOLOGY compliance w ith the requirements of both the National Environmental Policy Act Section 106 of the National Historic (NEPA) and Section 106 of the National Preservation Act requires a federal agency Historic Preservation Act. The Section 106 to take into account the effects of its determination of effect for the undertaking undertakings on properties included in, or (implementation of the alternative), required eligible for inclusion in, the National by the Programmatic Agreement, is Register of Historic Places and provide the included in the “Section 106 Summary” for Advisory Council on Historic Preservation each alternative. reasonable opportunity to comment. This also applies to properties not formally eligible but that are considered to meet INTENSITY OF IMPACTS eligibility criteria. All NPS planning and undertakings affecting historic properties CEQ regulations require that impacts of are subject to the provisions of the 1995 alternatives and their component actions be Programmatic Agreement ( PA) developed disclosed. Therefore, the analysis of among the National Park Service, the individual actions includes the identification Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and characterization of impacts, including and the Conference of State Historic an evaluation of impact intensity. Preservation Officers. Applicable legislation and regulations and specific management The intensity of impacts for cultural procedures regarding cultural resources are resources has been defined as negligible, detailed in the National Par k Service’s minor, moderate, and major. Negligible Cultural Resource Management Guideline, impacts are barely perceptible and not Director’s Order No. 28, Release No. 5, measurable; confined to small areas or a 1998. single contributing element of a larger national register district or archeological The methodology for assessing impacts to site(s), with low data potential. Minor historic resources is based on the regula- impacts are perceptible and measurable; tions of the Advisory Council on Historic remain localized and confined to a single Preservation (36 CFR 800) implementing contributing element of a larger national Section 106. This includes: (1) identifying register district or archeological site(s), w ith areas that could be impacted, (2) comparing low to moderate data potential. Moderate that location w ith that of resources listed, impacts are sufficient to cause a change in eligible, or potentially eligible for listing on a character-defining feature; generally the National Register of Historic Places; (3) involve a single or s mall group of contr- identifying the extent and type of effect, (4) ibuting elements or archeological site(s); assessing those effects according to with moderate to high data potential. Major procedures established in the advisory impacts result in substantial and highly council’s regulations, and (5) considering noticeable changes in character-defining ways to avoid, reduce, or mitigate adverse features, involve a large group of effects (see “Mitigation” section). contributing elements and/or individually significant property or archeological site(s), Cultural resource impacts in this document with high to exceptional data potential. are described in terminology consistent w ith the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), and in

83 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

DURATION OF IMPACTS subheading under the impacts on cultural resources for each alternative. The required The duration of the impacts considers determination of effect for the undertaking whether the impact w ould be short term or (implementation of the alternative) is long ter m. A short-term impact w ould be included in the “Section 106 Summary” short lived or temporary due to construction, sections for each alternative. restoration, or demolition activities, and a long-term impact w ould be permanent and Effects under both the National Environ- continual. Analysis of the duration of mental Policy Act and the National Historic impacts is required under the National Preservation Act are considered adverse Environmental Policy Act but is not required when they diminish the significant and is not usually considered in assessing characteristics of a historic property. effects in terms of the National Historic Preservation Act. Impacts can also be either direct or indirect. Direct impacts result from specific actions, such as demolition of historic structures. TYPE OF IMPACTS Indirect impacts often occur after project completion and are a result of changes in The analysis section provides a detailed visitor use patterns or management of analysis of the type of impacts that w ould or resources fostered by implementation of an could result from implementing the actions action. Both direct and indirect impacts have proposed in each alternative. The been considered in the analyses conclusion section summarizes the key points or results of the analysis. ALTERNATIVE 1 (NO ACTION) When analyzed under the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Analysis Par k Service’s NEPA guideline ( DO-12), an impact on historic properties (cultural Cultural resources would continue to be resources) is either adverse or beneficial. protected to the greatest extent permitted This effect can be partially or completely under existing NPS policies and the mitigated, and the reduction in intensity from availability of funding and NPS staff to carry applying mitigation efforts is an estimate of out protection measures. How ever, current the effectiveness of mitigation. The cultural practices have the potential to result in resources portion of the environmental minor long-ter m adverse impacts on the consequences section for each alternative resources. includes an analysis and conclusion that uses NEPA terminology. The current level of preservation treatment of the council house and the carriage house Additionally, under the National Historic would continue as needs arise and funding Preservation Act (Section 106), an impact permits in accordance w ith The Secretary of on historic properties is either adverse or the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of not adverse. Adverse effects under Section Historic Properties. How ev er, the lack of a 106 may also be partially or completely comprehensive preservation maintenance mitigated; how ever, unlike NEPA analysis, program for the buildings, as w ell as possi- the effect cannot be reduced and remains ble increased visitation to the site, could an adverse effect. To comply w ith this result in the loss of some remaining historic difference in terminology for Section 106, an fabric. additional “Section 106 Summary” discussion has been added for each

84 Impacts on Cultural Resources

The extant landscape w ould be retained, Cumulative Impacts and the current level of landscape maintenance w ould be continue as funding Rehabilitation and preservation mainte- permits in accordance w ith The Secretary of nance efforts at the council house since the the Interior’s Guidelines for the Treatment of mid-1970s, along w ith listing of the Logan Cultural Landscapes (1996). How ever, the Circle Historic District in the National lack of a comprehensive cultural landscape Register of Historic Places and recent and management plan could result in the loss of ongoing preservation efforts by private significant elements of the site’s historic property ow ners in the district, have had designed landscape. long-term beneficial cumulative impacts on the national historic site and its surrounding The current level of historic furnishings/ area. Implementation of this alternative artifacts from the Bethune and National would continue these programs and Council of Negro Women eras w ould be moderate cumulative beneficial impacts are retained and preserved as funding permits anticipated in the future. in accordance the National Park Service Standards for NPS Museum Collections Management, Director’s Order No. 24, and Conclusion the NPS Museum Handbook, Part I. Some pieces w ould continue to be exhibited in the The continued implementation of NPS council house, w hile others w ould be placed policies w ould help protect and preserve in NPS storage. How ever, the lack of a cultural resources at the national historic historic furnishings plan could result in the site to the extent per mitted under current display of nonhistoric or inappropriate and projected funding/staffing levels. furnishings and artifacts. How ever, if visitation to the historic site increases, there would be a corresponding The National Archives of Black Women’s increase in the potential for adverse effects History w ould continue to be housed in the on the historic integrity of the structures, carriage house, a 1890s-era brick building historic furnishings/artifacts, and landscape. that has capacity, research, processing, and resource protection limitations. Thus, the Unless the funds became available to archival collections could not be expanded upgrade the carriage house, the inability to and existing space for researchers using the expand, process, and preserve the archives collections and for archivists processing the for research use w ould continue to pose collections w ould remain limited. The major cultural resource management issues archives would continue to be housed in a for NPS management into the future and building that is not in accord w ith the would have moderate to major long-term standards established by the NPS Records adverse impacts on the expansion, Management Guideline, Director’s Order preservation, and use of the collections. No. 19, and the National Archives and Records administration. If funds became Ongoing rehabilitation and maintenance available to add a fire protection system, a efforts would have minor long-term bene- vapor barrier, and insulation, the archives ficial impacts on the structures, landscape, would be housed in a space that w as in and historic furnishings/ artifacts at the accord with these standards, which would national historic site, resulting in a limited result in longer-tem major beneficial degree of cultural resource preservation. impacts. NPS staff w ould continue to conduct resource protection to the greatest extent permitted under existing policies and funding and staffing levels.

85 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

Impairment nonhistoric or inappropriate furnishings and artifacts. Because there w ould be no major adverse impacts on resources or values directly related to the significance of the site and ALTERNATIVE 2 − (PREFERRED) whose conservation is (1) necessary to fulfill specific purposes identified in the Analysis establishing legislation or proclamation of Mary McLeod Bethune Council House This alternative w ould be expected to result National Historic Site, (2) key to the cultural in greater protection of cultural resources integrity or opportunities for enjoyment of than w ould occur under alternative 1. the site, or (3) identified as a goal in the Undertakings under this alternative w ould site’s general management plan or other enable NPS staff to more proactively and relevant NPS planning documents, there effectively conduct cultural resource would be no impairment of site resources or preservation programs. values associated w ith cultural resources under this alternative. In addition to the continuation of NPS cultural resource preservation policies and programs, NPS staff, along w ith partners, Section 106 Summary would prepare a historic structure report and initiate an enhanced cyclic maintenance Under regulations of the Advisory Council of preservation program to protect the historic Historic Preservation (36 CFR 800.9) architectural values of the council house addressing the criteria of effect and adverse and the carriage house. Functions in the effect, actions proposed under this could council house w ould be simplified to elimi- adversely affect significant historic proper- nate conflicts betw een administrative and ties. The lack of a comprehensive preser- visitor activities, thus affording better protec- vation maintenance program for the tion of the structure’s historic fabric at the buildings, as w ell as possible increased site. Some minor long-ter m adverse impacts visitation to the site, could result in the loss would result from the addition of doorw ays of some remaining historic fabric, and thus on each floor of the council house to provide have an adverse effect on the buildings’ access from the new elevator in the adja- significant documented architectural values. cent row house, but the structure’s docu- The site’s historic designed landscape could mented architectural values that contribute be adversely affected, because the lack of a to its listing on the National Register of comprehensive cultural landscape manage- Historic Places w ould not be affected. ment plan could result in the loss of Adding an elevator to the adjacent row significant elements of the landscape. The house w ould not affect that structure’s archives could be adversely affected historic façade. because they w ould continue to be housed in a building that is not in accord w ith the The preparation of a cultural landscape standards established by the NPS Records report and implementation of its recom- Management Guideline (Director’s Order mendations w ould help protect any No. 19) and the National Archives and remaining elements of the site’s historic Records Administration. No adverse effects designed landscape. on the site’s historic furnishings/ artifacts would result from implementing this Historic furnishings and exhibits w ould be alternative, although lack of a historic enhanced by the preparation and imple- furnishings plan could result in the display of mentation of exhibit and historic furnishings

86 Impacts on Cultural Resources plans designed to guide their acquisition, ment/implementation of systematic resource preservation, and use. management approaches (e.g., a cyclic preservation structural maintenance Rehabilitation of the carriage house interior program and upgrading archival facilities would provide a modern state-of-the-art and services to meet professional archival/research repository that meets standards, etc.). modern professional archival standards. The facility, along w ith offsite leased space, would provide improved preservation of the Conclusion archival collections and additional space for expanding, processing, and researching the Implementing this alternative w ould be archival collections. expected to have minor long-ter m adverse impacts on the council house and adjacent historic property due to the addition of door- Cumulative Impacts ways to the council house and an elevator and doorw ays in the adjacent property. Historic resources at the national historic How ever, implementing alternative 2 w ould site have been lost or damaged through provide long-ter m major benefits for pre- past development, visitor use, and natural serving and protecting cultural resources, events. Further adverse effects might including the site’s structures, landscape, accompany possible increased levels of historic furnishings/artifacts, and archival visitors and researchers if this alternative collections. The council house’s docu- were implemented. How ever, in conjunction mented architectural values that contribute with NPS policies for preserving and to its listing on the National Register of protecting cultural resources, measures to Historic Places w ould be preserved. provide additional facilities for visitor orientation/education and establishment/ Systematic resource management implementation of systematic resource approaches, improved cultural resource management approaches under this alter- preservation/maintenance programs, and native (e.g., a comprehensive preservation renovated facilities w ould result in long-ter m structural maintenance program and beneficial impacts. NPS staff would be in a upgrading archival facilities and services to better position to proactively manage and meet professional standards, etc.) would protect cultural resources by implementing enable the National Park Service to this alternative than under the no-action proactively manage and protect cultural alternative. resources. This w ould provide long-ter m major beneficial effects. Impairment Structural and landscape rehabilitation programs and ongoing preservation efforts Because there w ould be no major adverse at the council house since the mid-1970s, impacts on resources or values directly along w ith recent and ongoing preservation related to the significance of the site and efforts by private property owners in the whose conservation is (1) necessary to fulfill surrounding Logan Circle Historic District, specific purposes identified in the have had beneficial cumulative impacts on establishing legislation or proclamation of the national historic site and its surrounding Mary McLeod Bethune Council House area. Implementation of this alternative National Historic Site, (2) key to the cultural would add to these beneficial impacts in the integrity or opportunities for enjoyment of future by providing additional facilities for the site, or (3) identified as a goal in the visitor orientation/education and establish- site’s general management plan or other

87 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES relevant NPS planning documents, there structure because its architectural values would be no impairment of site resources or could be lost. values associated w ith cultural resources under this alternative. As in alternative 2, the preparation of exhibit and historic furnishings plans w ould guide acquisition, preservation, and use of historic Section 106 Summary furnishings and artifacts as permanent, semiper manent, or traveling exhibits. Under regulations of the Advisory Council Because this alternative’s emphasis w ould on Historic Preservation (36 CFR 800.9) be placed on traveling exhibits, and minimal addressing the criteria of effect and adverse historic furnishings would be exhibited in the effect, actions proposed under this alterna- council house, opportunities for onsite tive w ould not have the potential to adverse- visitors to experience the house as it w as in ly affect significant historic properties. No Bethune’s time w ould be limited. adverse effects on the site’s historic struc- tures, designed landscape, furnishings and exhibits, and archival collections w ould Cumulative Impacts result from actions proposed under this alternative. Historic resources at the national historic site have been lost or damaged through past development, visitor use, and natural ALTERNATIVE 3 events. In conjunction w ith NPS policies for preserving and protecting cultural resour- Analysis ces, establishment/implementation of sys- tematic resource management approaches The continuation of NPS cultural resource under this alternative (i.e., enlarging and preservation policies and programs and the developing the carriage house into initiation of a comprehensive maintenance research/archival repository that meets preservation program w ould protect the professional standards, etc.) would enable documented historic architectural values of the National Park Service to proactively the council house. The elimination of manage, protect, and provide long-ter m conflicts between administrative functions major beneficial effects on the council and visitor activities w ould afford better house and the archival collections. Because protection of the structure’s historic fabric. this alternative w ould emphasize offsite The emphasis on activist programs, outreach and activist programs, the number expanded traveling exhibits, and offsite of site visitors would potentially be reduced, programs might decrease the number of thus better enabling the National Park persons visiting the site, thus enabling the Service to protect the historic fabric of the Par k Service to better protect the historic council house. fabric of the council house. Structural and landscape rehabilitation The enlargement and development of the programs and ongoing preservation efforts carriage house into a facility that meets at the council house since the mid-1970s, modern professional archival standards along w ith recent and ongoing preservation would provide additional space onsite for efforts by private property owners in the expanding, processing, researching, and surrounding Logan Circle Historic District, protecting the archival collections. How ever, have had beneficial cumulative impacts on enlarging the carriage house could have a the national historic site and its surrounding major long-ter m adverse effect on the area. Implementation of this alternative would enhance the ongoing efforts to

88 Impacts on Cultural Resources preserve the council house and the archival ing legislation or proclamation of Mary collections. McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site, (2) key to the cultural integrity or opportunities for enjoyment of the site, or Conclusion (3) identified as a goal in the site’s general management plan or other relevant NPS Implementing this alternative w ould be planning documents, there w ould be no expected to have no adverse impacts on the impair ment of site resources or values council house and w ould provide long-term associated w ith cultural resources under major benefits for its preservation and this alternative. protection.

When historic furnishings and artifacts were Section 106 Summary used in traveling exhibits and outreach programs, their display in the council house Under regulations of the Advisory Council would be minimized, thus removing some on Historic Preservation (36 CFR 800.9) objects from their historic context and addressing the criteria of effect and adverse negatively affecting their onsite interpretive effect, actions proposed under this value. alternative could adversely affect significant historic properties. The carriage house and Systematic resource management the site’s landscape could be adversely approaches, improved cultural resource affected because enlargement of the preservation/maintenance programs, and carriage house w ould result in the loss of renovated facilities w ould provide beneficial the structure’s architectural values and the effects. loss of elements of the historic designed landscape. No adverse effects on the Enlarging and developing the carriage council house or the archival collections house into a facility that meets modern would result from actions proposed under professional archival standards w ould this alternative. Minimizing display of provide additional space onsite for historic furnishings and artifacts in the expanding, processing, researching, and council house could result in removing protecting the archival collections. How ever, some objects from their historic context, enlarging the carriage house could have a thus negatively affecting their onsite major long-ter m adverse effect on the interpretive value. structure because its architectural values could be lost. ALTERNATIVE 4 Locating facilities for expanding, processing, preserving, and using the archival collec- Analysis tions onsite w ould enhance the NPS staff’s ability to provide for their management. This alternative w ould have the same beneficial effects on the council house as described in alternatives 2 and 3. Installing Impairment an elevator at the rear of the council house would result in some adverse impacts on Because there w ould be no major adverse the structure, such as changing its appear- impacts on resources or values directly ance and possibly access. How ever, the related to the significance of the site and effect would be minor because this portion whose conservation is (1) necessary to fulfill of the house has been modified in recent specific purposes identified in the establish- years. Thus, the documented architectural

89 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES values that contribute to the building’s listing Cumulative Impacts on the national register w ould not be affected. Historic resources have been lost or damaged at the national historic site Demolishing the carriage house and through past development, visitor use, and replacing it w ith a modern building w ould natural events. In conjunction w ith NPS result in the loss of the structure. Depending policies for preserving and protecting on the configuration of new construction, cultural resources, the establishment/ one or tw o elevators would be added to implementation of systematic resource provide access to both the council house management approaches under this and the carriage house. If required, an alternative (preserving and adaptively using elevator w ould be added to the back the council house as a historic house porch/patio area of the council house. This museum w ith an extensive display of would have a minor long-ter m adverse historic furnishings/artifacts, preserving the impact because it is the portion of the house archival collections in a professional with the least historic integrity. archival/research repository, restoring the landscape based on cultural landscape Under this alternative, actions for the report recommendations, etc.) w ould enable acquisition, processing, preservation, and the National Park Service to proactively use of the archival collections w ould be manage, protect, and provide long-ter m transferred offsite via contract to a major beneficial effects. professional archival/research repository. This w ould provide a better (than present) Because the archival collections w ould be physical environment for the archival transferred offsite via contract to a pro- collections and allow for expansion as the fessional archival/ research repository, their collections grow . physical historic link to the national historic site w ould be severed. In comparison w ith The preparation and implementation of an the other alternatives, this alternative w ould exhibit plan and a historic furnishings plan provide for the greatest degree of acquiring, would enhance acquisition, preservation, preserving, and interpreting historic and use of historic furnishings pieces and furnishings/artifacts in the council house artifacts throughout the council house, within the context of a historic house enabling this structure to serve as an mus eu m. authentic historic house museum for visitor education and enjoy ment. Thus, this alter- Because the carriage house w ould be native w ould provide for the greatest degree demolished and replaced by a new of preserving historic furnishings and arti- structure, this alternative w ould result in a facts and of interpreting them w ithin their major long-ter m adverse impact on that historic context. structure.

The preparation of a cultural landscape Structural and landscape rehabilitation report and the restoration/ maintenance of programs and ongoing preservation efforts the landscape as recommended in this at the council house since the mid-1970s, document w ould provide for the greatest along w ith recent and ongoing preservation degree of preservation of the historic efforts by private property owners in the designed landscape compared to the other surrounding Logan Circle Historic District, alternatives evaluated in this document. have had beneficial cumulative impacts on the national historic site and its surrounding area. Implementing this alternative w ould add to these beneficial effects in the future

90 Impacts on Cultural Resources by preserving and adaptively using the related to the significance of the site and council house as a historic house museum whose conservation is (1) necessary to fulfill featuring an extensive display of historic specific purposes identified in the furnishings/artifacts, and by restoring the establishing legislation or proclamation of landscape based on cultural landscape Mary McLeod Bethune Council House report recommendations. National Historic Site, (2) key to the cultural integrity or opportunities for enjoyment of the site, or (3) identified as a goal in the Conclusion site’s general management plan or other relevant NPS planning documents, there Implementing this alternative w ould provide would be no impairment of site resources or long-term moderate to major benefits for values associated w ith cultural resources preserving and protecting the council house, under this alternative. archival collections, historic furnishings/ artifacts, and landscape at the national historic site. Section 106 Summary

The installation of an elevator at the rear of Under regulations of the Advisory Council the council house w ould result in some on Historic Preservation (36 CFR 800.9) long-term minor adverse impacts on the addressing the criteria of effect and adverse structure, but the building’s documented effect, actions proposed under this alterna- architectural values that contribute to its tive could adversely affect significant his- listing on the National Register of Historic toric properties. Demolition of the carriage Places w ould not be affected. How ever, house and its replacement w ith a modern demolition of the carriage house and its structure would constitute an adverse effect replacement w ith a modern structure w ould on a building that is considered to be eligi- constitute a major long-term adverse effect. ble for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Systematic resource management approaches, improved cultural resource Installing an elevator at the rear of the preservation/ maintenance programs, and council house w ould result in minor adverse renovated facilities w ould provide positive impacts on the structure, but the building’s beneficial impacts. documented architectural values that contribute to its listing on the National The National Park Service’s ability to Register of Historic Places w ould not be proactively manage preservation programs affected. for these cultural resources would be enhanced. No other adverse effects on the council house, archival collections, historic furnishings/ artifacts, and landscape w ould Impairment result from actions proposed under this alternative. Because there w ould be no major adverse impacts on resources or values directly

91 IMPACTS ON VISITOR USE / EXPERIENCE

METHODOLOGY visitor use and experience. Adverse impacts would negatively alter visitor use. The impact analysis evaluated the effect of facility space and staff numbers on visitors, and how the alternative actions w ould affect ALTERNATIVE 1 visitors’ opportunities to learn the stories of Mary McLeod Bethune and her life and Analysis times. Visitors to the national historic site and those attending outreach programs w ould Intensity continue to benefit from learning about the life and times of Mary McLeod Bethune. The intensity of the impact considers They w ould continue to gain an understand- whether the impact w ould be negligible, ing and appreciation of her political activis m minor, moderate, or major. Negligible and her legacy and the role she played in impacts w ere considered undetectable and furthering the education of African Ameri- would affect few visitors. Minor impacts cans in the first half of the 20th century. were effects on visitor use that w ould be How ever, orientation and education of slightly detectable but not expected to affect visitors to the council house w ould remain access to and appreciation of primary less comprehensive than desired w ith resources and/or w ould affect a small current staff numbers and limited space for number of visitors. Moderate impacts w ould orientation and exhibits. Crow ding w ould be clearly detectable and w ould impact continue to occur during periods of higher access to and appreciation of primary visitation, especially w hen a large tour or resources and/or w ould affect an appre- more than one tour arrives at the same ciable number of visitors. Major impacts time. The number of outreach programs for would have a substantial influence on schools and other groups w ould remain at access to and appreciation of primary current levels. resources and/or w ould affect most visitors. Staffing numbers w ould remain at the cur- rent level, and rangers w ould continue to Dur ation lead scheduled guided tours for groups, and as time permitted, to other visitors. The The duration of the impact considers potential w ould exist for some visitors to be whether the impact w ould occur for a short unable to go on a tour if appropriate person- term and be temporary in nature and nel are conducting other tours or are aw ay associated w ith transitional types of activi- from the site. The physical limitations of the ties, or if the impact w ould occur over a long house and staff numbers w ould continue to term and/or have a permanent effect on have long-term moderate adverse impacts visitor use. on visitors’ opportunities to experience in- depth the stories of Dr. Bethune and the council house. Type of Impact The council house and second floor of the The type of impact refers to whether the carriage house w ould remain inaccessible impact on visitor use w ould be beneficial or to visitors w ith mobility limitations. Visitors in adverse. Beneficial impacts w ould improve this segment of the population w ould

92 Impacts on Visitor Use / Experience continue to be unable to experience Conclusion interpretive opportunities on the second floor of the house. The single toilet restroom Due to limitations of staff numbers and on the second floor also w ould continue to space, orientation and interpretive programs be inaccessible to visitors w ho are mobility would continue to be less comprehensive disabled. Parking w ould remain very limited, than desired, crow ding during tours w ould causing an inconvenience to visitors w ho continue to occur, and outreach programs arrive by private automobiles. In addition, would not be enhanced. Visitors w ith the council house w ould remain inadequate mobility disabilities w ould have difficulty to handle large numbers of people w ho accessing the site, and restroom facilities arrive at the same time such as tour would remain minimal and inadequate to groups that make up the greater part of handle visitor numbers. Implementing visitor numbers. Lack of accessibility for alternative 1 w ould have moderate to major visitors w ith disabilities, parking, and long-term adverse impacts on the quality of limitations of current facilities w ould the visitor experience. continue to have long-term major adverse impacts on the visitor experience. With continuing opportunities to tour other museums and African American sites, visitors would could gain a broader know - Cumulative Impacts ledge of African American stories in the D.C. area, resulting in continuing moderate Mary McLeod Bethune National Historic Site long-term beneficial cumulative impacts on is one of the sites on the self-guided tour, the overall visitor experience. Dupont-Kalorama Museum Walk, and also is part of the Washington, D.C., Black History National Recreation Trail, w hich is Impairment part of the national trails system. Participa- tion in these tours w ould continue to provide Because there w ould be no major adverse an avenue to make visitors aw are of the impacts on resources or values directly national historic site and its importance in related to the significance of the site and African American history. Visitors would whose conservation is (1) necessary to fulfill continue to have the opportunity to learn specific purposes identified in the establish- through various sources about Bethune’s ing legislation or proclamation of Mary life and times and her contributions as a McLeod Bethune Council House National political activist to education and society in Historic Site, (2) key to the cultural integrity general. Information, orientation, and or opportunities for enjoyment of the site, or interpretive programs, and activities at the (3) identified as a goal in the site’s general site, combined w ith similar existing activities management plan or other relevant NPS at other sites, w ould continue to result in planning documents, there w ould be no visitors having opportunities to gain a impair ment of site resources or values broader know ledge of African American associated w ith visitor experience under this stories in the D.C. area and result in alternative. continuing moderate long-term beneficial cumulative impacts on the overall visitor experience. ALTERNATIVE 2 (PREFERRED)

Analysis

Acquiring an additional property w ould enhance the visitor experience. Increased

93 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES space would provide an orientation area for History National Recreation Trail, w hich is groups and more space to enlarge the part of the national tails system. Participa- scope and number of exhibits, including tion in these tours w ould provide an avenue changing exhibits. Added space for exhibits to make visitors aw are of the national would permit the presentation of a broad but historic site and its importance in African comprehensive interpretation of Dr. American history. Visitors would have the Bethune’s accomplishments and contribu- opportunity to learn through various sources tions. Additional space w ould reduce about Bethune’s life and times and her con- crowding during tours and provide more tributions as a political activist to education restroom facilities. A separation of site and society in general. Information, orienta- functions would be possible w ith more tion, and interpretive programs and activities space, and there w ould be fewer intrusions at the site, combined w ith similar activities into the visitor experience by administrative at other sites, w ould result in visitors gaining activities. a broader know ledge of African American stories in the D.C. area and result in Increased staff numbers w ould permit a moderate long-ter m beneficial cumulative greater number of visitors than currently impacts on the overall visitor experience. possible to experience a guided tour and gain a comprehensive understanding of significant stories of the historic site. A Conclusion larger staff would be able to contact a w ider audience of people in the schools and the Increased space w ould provide an orienta- community through the outreach program tion area for groups and more space to and to create new interpretive programs and enlarge the scope and number of exhibits, changing exhibits, some of w hich w ould be including changing exhibits. Crow ding w ould from research on archival materials, on a be reduced, more and accessible restroom regular basis. Providing researchers w ith a facilities w ould be available, and more visi- state-of-the-art work area w ould expedite tors than currently would have the oppor- their research efforts. Information on the tunity to gain in-depth know ledge of Dr. Internet w ould provide additional and Bethune and her accomplishments. With an alternative opportunities for both research- increase in staff, more visitors w ould have ers and other visitors. An increase in space, guided tour opportunities, and the outreach staffing levels, and research opportunities program w ould be expanded. Added space, would have long-term moderate beneficial increased staff, and more opportunities for impacts on the quality of visitor experience. education w ould have moderate long-term beneficial impacts on the quality of the Par king w ould be as difficult to find as in visitor experience. alternative 1, resulting in an inconvenience to visitors arriving in private automobiles. Research efforts would be expedited, and Lack of parking space w ould have a long- opportunities for information w ould be term moderate adverse impact on these greatly enhanced (onsite and over the visitors. Internet) w ith more staff and improved technology. There w ould be long-ter m moderate beneficial impacts on the quality Cumulative Impacts of the visitor experience.

Mary McLeod Bethune National Historic Site As a result of opportunities to tour other is one of the sites on the self-guided tour, museums and African American sites, Dupont-Kalorama Museum Walk, and also visitors would gain a broad know ledge of is part of the Washington, D.C., Black African American stories in the D.C. area,

94 Impacts on Visitor Use / Experience resulting in moderate long-term beneficial would be provided in the same location as cumulative impacts on the overall visitor the orientation area. A separation of site experience. functions would be possible w ith more space and result in few er intrusions into the visitor experience by administrative Impairment activities than is currently possible. Leased space could include a parking area, w hich Because there w ould be no major adverse would be a minor long-term beneficial impacts on resources or values directly impact on visitors by increasing availability related to the significance of the site and of parking. whose conservation is (1) necessary to fulfill specific purposes identified in the A larger staff would be able to contact a establishing legislation or proclamation of wider audience of people in the community Mary McLeod Bethune Council House and schools through an in-depth expanded National Historic Site, (2) key to the cultural outreach program, new interpretive pro- integrity or opportunities for enjoyment of grams, and changing exhibits on a regular the site, or (3) identified as a goal in the basis. The implementation of this alternative site’s general management plan or other would have a moderate adverse impact on relevant NPS planning documents, there visitors who w ere expecting a traditional would be no impairment of site resources or house tour and a moderate beneficial values associated w ith visitor experience impact on visitors or community members under this alternative. involved in special w orkshops or programs.

The onsite interpretive program w ould be ALTERNATIVE 3 primarily self-guided. Some visitors might not have the opportunity for a guided tour, Analysis but the special programs and the permanent and changing exhibits w ould provide visitors As in alternative 2, acquiring or leasing an with a comprehensive presentation of story additional property w ould enhance the elements. Outreach programs w ould be visitor experience. Increased space w ould greatly expanded providing a major benefit provide an orientation area for groups and to schools and local groups. An increase in more space to enlarge the scope and space and staffing levels w ould have long- number of exhibits, including changing term moderate beneficial impacts on the exhibits. Added space for exhibits w ould quality of visitor experience. permit the presentation of a broad interpre- tation of Dr. Bethune’s accomplishments and contributions, focusing on her role as Cumulative Impacts an activist. An additional property w ould provide space for groups to meet, conduct Mary McLeod Bethune National Historic Site workshops, and provide lectures and is one of the sites on the self-guided tour, activities w ithin the historic site’s goals for Dupont-Kalorama Museum Walk, and also social consciousness, but the council house is part of the Washington, D.C., Black w ould still remain inaccessible for visitors History National Recreation Trail, w hich is with mobility disabilities. An area for part of the national trails system. Participa- programmatic interpretation w ould allow tion in these tours w ould provide an avenue these visitors to learn about the site more to make visitors aw are of the national easily than they can now . Added space historic site and its importance in African would reduce crowding during tours. For American history. Visitors would have the visitor convenience, restroom facilities opportunity to learn through various sources

95 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES about Bethune’s life and times and her con- whose conservation is (1) necessary to fulfill tributions as a political activist to education specific purposes identified in the and society in general. Information, orienta- establishing legislation or proclamation of tion, and interpretive programs and activities Mary McLeod Bethune Council House at the site, combined w ith similar activities National Historic Site, (2) key to the cultural at other sites, w ould result in opportunities integrity or opportunities for enjoyment of for visitors to gain broad know ledge of the site, or (3) identified as a goal in the African American stories in the D.C. area site’s general management plan or other and result in moderate long-ter m beneficial relevant NPS planning documents, there cumulative impacts on the overall visitor would be no impairment of site resources or experience. values associated w ith visitor experience under this alternative.

Conclusion ALTERNATIVE 4 Increased space w ould provide an orientation area for groups, more space to Analysis enlarge the scope and number of exhibits, and space for activist/community programs. Visitors to the council house w ould benefit An area for programmatic interpretation from a ‘traditional’ cultural park experience would accommodate visitors w ith mobility with primarily permanent exhibits including disabilities. Crow ding would be reduced, historic furnishings and some changing more restroom facilities w ould be available, exhibits such as archival materials. Interpre- and more visitors than currently w ould have tive media, including electronic exhibits, the opportunity to gain in-depth know ledge would focus on and help visitors understand of Dr. Bethune and her accomplishments. Dr. Bethune in the context of her era and With an increase in staff, more visitors than the long-lasting influence of her are currently contacted would benefit from accomplishments. an expanded and comprehensive outreach program. If space is leased in a nearby Moving the archival collections offsite and office, parking might be available for constructing a building behind the council visitors. Added space and increased staff house w ould enhance the visitor experience would have moderate long-ter m beneficial by increasing space at the national historic impacts on the quality of the visitor site. Increased space w ould provide an experience. orientation area for groups and more space to enlarge the scope and number of As a result of opportunities to tour other exhibits. More space for exhibits w ould museums and African American sites, permit a comprehensive interpretation of Dr. visitors would gain a broader know ledge of Bethune’s accomplishments and contribu- African American stories in the D.C. area, tions. Added space w ould also reduce resulting in moderate long-term beneficial crowding during tours and provide more cumulative impacts on the overall visitor restroom facilities. A separation of site experience. functions would be possible w ith more space and result in few er intrusions into the visitor experience by administrative Impairment activities than is currently possible.

Because there w ould be no major adverse Par king space w ould be as difficult to find impacts on resources or values directly as in alternative 1, resulting in an inconveni- related to the significance of the site and ence to visitors arriving by private

96 Impacts on Visitor Use / Experience automobile a long-ter m moderate adverse opportunities to gain a broad know ledge of impact. African American stories in the D.C. area and moderate long-term beneficial cumu- An elevator at the back of the house and/or lative impacts on the overall visitor the new building w ould make the council experience. house handicapped accessible and allow visitors w ith mobility disabilities to experi- ence the site more easily than they can Conclusion now . This action w ould have major long- term beneficial impacts on this segment of Visitors to the council house w ould benefit the population. from a ‘traditional’ cultural park experience with interpretation focusing on Dr. Bethune. Staffing numbers w ould be one more than There w ould be more space than currently the current level, and rangers w ould lead available for an orientation area and scheduled guided tours for groups and, as enlarging the scope and number of exhibits, time per mitted, for other visitors. Some permitting a comprehensive interpretation of visitors might be unable to experience a tour Dr. Bethune’s accomplishments and contri- if appropriate personnel are conducting butions. Crow ding during tours w ould be other tours or are aw ay from the site. reduced, and there w ould be more restroom Traveling exhibits w ould enable community facilities. A separation of site functions groups to learn about Dr. Bethune w ithout would be possible w ith more space and visiting the site, but the programs w ould be result in few er intrusions into the visitor somew hat limited w ith minimal staff. The experience by administrative activities than level of staff numbers w ould result in is currently possible. The result w ould be a moderate long-ter m adverse impacts on moderate long-ter m beneficial impact. visitors’ opportunities to experience the site and its stories. Overall, implementing An elevator at the back of the house and/or alternative 4 w ould have long-term minor the new building w ould have major long- beneficial impacts on the visitor experience. term beneficial impacts on visitors w ith mobility disabilities.

Cumulative Impacts Staffing numbers w ould be one more than the current level, w hich w ould slightly Mary McLeod Bethune National Historic Site expand the extent of outreach programs is one of the sites on the self-guided tour, and the number of tours conducted on site. Dupont-Kalorama Museum Walk, and also The level of staff numbers w ould result in is part of the Washington, D.C., Black moderate long-ter m adverse impacts on History National Recreation Trail, w hich is visitor’s opportunities to experience the site part of the national trails system. Participa- and its stories, but partners assisting w ith tion in these tours w ould provide an avenue interpretation activities w ould help mitigate to make visitors aw are of the national these impacts. Overall, implementing historic site and its importance in African alternative 4 w ould have long-term minor American history. Visitors would have the beneficial impacts on the quality of the opportunity to learn through various sources visitor experience. about Bethune’s life and times and her con- tributions as a political activist to education As a result of continuing opportunities to and society in general. Information, orienta- tour other museums and African American tion, and interpretive programs and activities sites, visitors would have opportunities to at the site, combined w ith similar activities gain a broad know ledge of African American at other sites, w ould result in visitors having stories in the D.C. area, resulting in

97 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES moderate long-ter m beneficial cumulative establishing legislation or proclamation of impacts on the overall visitor experience. Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site, (2) key to the cultural integrity or opportunities for enjoyment of Impairment the site, or (3) identified as a goal in the site’s general management plan or other Because there w ould be no major adverse relevant NPS planning documents, there impacts on resources or values directly would be no impairment of site resources or related to the significance of the site and values associated w ith visitor experience whose conservation is (1) necessary to fulfill under this alternative. specific purposes identified in the

98 IMPACTS ON THE SOCIOECONOMIC ENVIRONM ENT

METHODOLOGY Dur ation

The impact analysis evaluated three socio- The duration of the impact considers economic areas, including the local econ- whether the impact w ould occur for a short omy and population, land use, and visual term and be temporary in nature and resources. Quantitative analysis of potential associated w ith transitional types of effects on socioeconomic areas w as not activities, or if the impact w ould occur over a conducted because the additional cost of long ter m and/or have a per manent effect that analysis w ould not be reasonably on the socioeconomic environment. related to the expected increase in the quantity and/or quality of relevant informa- tion. The analysis of effects is qualitative, Type of Impact and professional judgement is applied to reach reasonable conclusions as to the Type of impact refers to w hether the impact intensity and duration of potential impacts. on the socioeconomic environment w ould be beneficial or adverse. Beneficial socio- The impact analysis is based on changes to economic impacts w ould improve local the local economy and visual resources as economic conditions, such as providing jobs a result of construction activities and and increasing sales revenue of local changes to land use w ith the acquisition of businesses. Beneficial impacts on land use additional property. would include those changes that w ould be compatible w ith local land use plans, regula- tions, and trends. Impacts beneficial to Intensity visual quality w ould improve the streetscape through maintenance activities and efforts to The intensity of the impact considers preserve historic character. whether the impact on the socioeconomic environment w ould be negligible, minor, Adverse socioeconomic impacts w ould moderate, or major. Negligible impacts were negatively alter local economic conditions, considered undetectable and w ould have no including increasing the unemploy ment rate discernible effect on the local economy, or decreasing sales revenues to local including employ ment and retail sales; businesses. Adverse impacts on land use would not result in incompatible changes to would negatively alter use patterns or result land use trends, and w ould not perceptibly in new uses that w ould not be compatible modify the quality of the visual landscape. with current trends. Adverse impacts on Minor impacts w ere effects that would be visual quality w ould degrade the scenic slightly detectable but not have an overall resource through lack of maintenance and effect on the local economy, changes in the addition of modern intrusions. land use trends, or the quality of the visual scene. Moderate impacts w ould be clearly detectable and could have an appreciable ALTERNATIVE 1 effect on the local economy, land use trends, and the quality of the visual land- Analysis scape. Major impacts w ould have a sub- stantial influence on and could per manently The implementation of alternative 1 w ould alter the local economy, land use trends, be expected to result in negligible changes and the quality of the visual landscape. to the socioeconomic environment. Current

99 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES trends in contributions by visitors to the local Relative to the local employ ment and economy w ould likely continue. The historic economic base, the economic benefit from site w ould maintain the current configuration implementing alternative 2 w ould be short- of space, and current land use, visual term and minor. resource conditions, and site access trends would be expected to continue into the Construction activities could have short- future. term adverse impacts on drivers using the alleyw ay behind the council house. Unavoidable inconveniences such as Cumulative Impacts construction vehicles blocking access to some residences and businesses along the The past and present preservation efforts of alley w ould result in temporary delays and the historic site along w ith rehabilitation and possible traffic congestion. How ever, maintenance of nearby private properties construction activities w ould be conducted have resulted in major long-ter m beneficial to ensure the least possible restriction to cumulative impacts on the visual resources neighborhood residences and businesses. of the neighborhood. These improvements Safety and convenience of the general could result in increased sales and eco- public and residents w ould be provided at nomic benefits in the future to commercial all possible times. An increase in ambient proprietors along the street behind the noise and a sense of loss of privacy for council house as the surrounding neigh- residents w ould likely occur in the immedi- borhood becomes more upscale. ate neighborhood as a result of construction activities. Inconveniences and noise w ould There w ould be no know n cumulative be temporary, and adverse impacts w ould impacts on land use because the historic be minor. site w ould maintain its current landow nership and visitation patterns. Under alternative 2, the Park Service w ould pursue acquiring the property adjacent to the council house to provide space for Conclusion administrative offices and visitor services. The private property w ould be purchased at Impacts on the socioeconomic environment fair market value, resulting in monetary from implementing alternative 1 w ould be benefit to the landow ner. The property negligible because current site operations would be removed from the local real estate would continue. tax rolls, resulting in a corresponding loss of revenue to the community. Although the loss of tax revenue would be long term and ALTERNATIVE 2 (PREFERRED) adverse, it w ould be minor relative to the overall tax base. The sale of the property Analysis would result in a minor short-term beneficial economic impact for the current property The rehabilitation of the carriage house ow ner. would have a minor short-term beneficial effect on the local economy. The project Acquisition of the adjacent property w ould would result in additional short-term result in a decrease in land available for employ ment opportunities in the building residential use w ithin the neighborhood and trades during the period of construction. preclude the possibility of future private Some businesses w ould have an increase development. Use of the land w ould change in sales for purchases of supplies and from a residential function to public park equipment for construction activities. use. The administration and visitor services

100 Impacts on the Socioeconomic Environment facility w ould remain compatible w ith the rental market. The removal of another adjacent land uses in the neighborhood. In residential property from this market by the addition, there w ould be no know n conflict Par k Service w ould contribute to the lack of with land use plans or regulations. The affordable housing for some people. impacts of alternative 2 on land use w ould Relative to the overall housing availability, be beneficial, long-term, and minor. implementing alternative 2 w ould have a minor, short-term, adverse cumulative Implementing alternative 2 w ould likely impact on some people. displace one or more occupants in a structure. The relocation w ould be a short- A nearby hotel is being converted into term major disruption to those having to condominiums, and more apartments are move. How ever, the sense of disruption being constructed in the neighborhood, would decrease over time as relocatees which w ill provide additional housing units. adjust to a new home and surroundings. How ever, the market value of these properties is unknow n at this time. As a Economic impacts on residential relocatees result, more people w ill be living in the would be negligible. Eligible residents w ould neighborhood and in the event that an receive federal relocation assistance increase in visitor numbers occurs, there through the Uniform Relocation Assistance would be greater competition for parking and Real Properties Acquisition Act of 1970, space. Implementing alternative 2 w ould Public Law 91-646, w hich ensures that have major long-ter m adverse cumulative residential relocatees w ould be offered impacts on local parking availability. decent, safe, and sanitary housing w ithin their financial means. The program renders The past and present preservation efforts of assistance in determining eligibility and the historic site along w ith rehabilitation and relocation needs, provides information on maintenance of nearby private properties availability and prices of comparable have resulted in major long-ter m beneficial housing, ensures availability of comparable cumulative impacts on the visual resources dw ellings, and provides advisory services to of the neighborhood. Improvements include minimize relocatees’ adjustment to a new increased maintenance, compliance w ith location. the historic attributes of the neighborhood, and renovation of façades and front yards. Beneficial impacts on visual resources These improvements could result in would be anticipated from implementing increased sales and economic benefits in alternative 2. Treatment of an acquired the future to commercial proprietors along building w ould be according to NPS the street behind the council house, as the maintenance and preservation guidelines. If neighborhood becomes more upscale. the property w ere from the Victorian era, acquisition w ould help preserve the character of the historic district and result in Conclusion a long-ter m beneficial effect on the neighborhood’s visual resources. Rehabilitation of the carriage house w ould have minor short-term benefits on the local economy w ith an increase in employment Cumulative Impacts opportunities and sales of materials during the construction period. An increase in Past, present and potential future rehabili- noise and possible delays from construction tation efforts by private ow ners are resulting traffic would result in temporary and minor in an upscale neighborhood, w hich is likely inconveniences in the neighborhood. This to price some of the current residents out of alternative potentially w ould require the

101 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES relocation of occupants of the adjacent The acquisition of a property w ould result in residence, resulting in minor to major a decrease in land available for residential adverse impacts on current occupants of or commercial use w ithin the neighborhood the property. Land use w ould change to that and preclude the possibility of future devel- of a public, park use, and beneficial impacts opment. Use of the land w ould change from on the appearance of the neighborhood a residential or commercial function to properties w ould be expected. public park use, but the administration and visitor services facility w ould remain compatible w ith adjacent land uses in the ALTERNATIVE 3 neighborhood. In addition, there w ould be no know n conflict w ith land use plans or Analysis regulations. Leasing w ould have the same impacts except that the possibility of future As in alternative 2, rehabilitation and development w ould not be precluded. The expansion of the carriage house w ould have impacts of alternative 3 on land use w ould a minor short-term beneficial effect on the be long-ter m, beneficial, and minor. local economy. The project w ould result in additional employ ment opportunities and an As in alternative 2, implementing alternative increase in sales in the building trades 3 w ould likely displace one or more during the period of construction. Relative to occupants in a structure. Eligible residents the local employ ment and economic base, would receive federal relocation assistance the economic benefit from implementing under the Uniform Relocation Assistance alternative 3 w ould be short-term and minor. and Real Properties Acquisition Act of 1970, and economic impacts on residential Construction activities w ould have the same relocatees w ould be negligible. short-term adverse impacts as alternative 2 on neighborhood traffic, with unavoidable If the property that w as acquired or leased delays and possible traffic congestion. houses a business, the relocation assist- How ever, safety and convenience of the ance program includes provisions for general public and residents w ould be moving costs of personal property, provided at all possible times. An increase expenses in searching for a replacement in ambient noise and a sense of loss of site, and necessary expenses for reestab- privacy for residents w ould likely occur in lishment at the new site. Businesses such the immediate neighborhood as a result of as stores and service establishments that construction activities. Inconveniences and rely on a customer base from the immediate noise w ould be temporary, and adverse surrounding area potentially w ould experi- impacts w ould be minor. ence short-term to long-ter m major adverse economic impacts if a comparable site for Under alternative 3, the Park Service w ould relocation is not available nearby. Impacts pursue acquiring or leasing a property near would be short-term and minor to those the council house to provide space for area-dependent businesses that w ould be administrative offices and visitor services. able to relocate w ithin the same neighbor- The purchase of private property would hood. It is possible that the impact could have the same economic impacts as become long ter m if the business relocates alternative 2. The seller(s) would benefit to an inconvenient site that results in the monetarily w ith a sale at fair market value. loss of a major portion of the customer The property w ould be removed from the base. Customers might experience minor local real estate tax rolls, but the loss of tax long-term adverse impacts such as the revenue w ould be minor relative to the inconvenience of requiring more time to overall tax base. travel to more distant locations.

102 Impacts on the Socioeconomic Environment

Beneficial impacts on the appearance of the space. Implementing alternative 3 w ould neighborhood properties w ould be antici- have major long-ter m adverse cumulative pated from implementing alternative 3. impacts on local parking availability. Treatment of an acquired building w ould be according to NPS maintenance and preser- The past and present preservation efforts of vation guidelines. Acquisition or leasing the historic site along w ith rehabilitation and would be anticipated to help preserve the maintenance of nearby private properties character of the historic district and result in have resulted in major long-ter m beneficial a long-ter m beneficial effect on the cumulative impacts on the visual resources neighborhood’s visual resources. of the neighborhood. These improvements could result in economic benefits in the Some lifestyle and social changes might future to commercial proprietors along the result from visitors walking or otherw ise street behind the council house. traveling betw een the council house and a nearby property, particularly w ith respect to neighborhood residents. Potential impacts Conclusion might include a loss of privacy for neighbors and possible trespass by visitors. How ever, Rehabilitation and expansion of the carriage because of the urban character of the area, house w ould have minor short-term benefits the magnitude of these adverse changes on the local economy. An increase in would be anticipated to be short-term and employ ment opportunities and sales of minor. mater ials w ould occur during the construc- tion period. An increase in noise and pos- sible delays from construction traffic would Cumulative Impacts result in temporary and minor inconveni- ences in the neighborhood. This alternative Past, present and potential future rehabili- potentially w ould require the relocation of tation efforts by private ow ners are resulting occupants of a nearby residence or busi- in an upscale neighborhood, w hich is likely ness resulting in minor to major and short- to price some of the current residents out of to long-ter m adverse impacts on these the housing market. The removal of another occupants. Land use w ould change to that residential property from this market by the of a public, park use, and beneficial impacts Par k Service w ould contribute to the lack of on the appearance of the neighborhood affordable housing. Relative to the overall properties w ould be expected. housing availability, implementing alterna- tive 3 w ould contribute to an increase in local property values and have a moderate ALTERNATIVE 4 long-term adverse cumulative impacts on some residents. Analysis

A nearby hotel is being converted into Similar to construction activity impacts in condominiums, and more apartments are alternatives 2 and 3, removing the carriage being constructed in the neighborhood, house and building a new structure behind w hich w ill provide additional housing units. the council house w ould have a minor short- How ever, the market value of these term beneficial effect on the local economy. properties is unknow n at this time. As a The project w ould result in additional result, more people w ill be living in the employ ment opportunities and an increase neighborhood and in the event that an in sales in the building trades during the increase in visitor numbers occurs, there period of construction. Relative to the local would be greater competition for parking employ ment and economic base, the

103 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES economic benefit from implementing commercial to public w ould have negligible alternative 4 w ould be short-term and minor. impacts, w hereas changing land use from residential to public w ould be a minor Construction activities w ould have the same impact. Depending on the existing land use short-term adverse impacts as alternatives mix and specific neighborhood, this impact 2 and 3 on neighborhood traffic w ith could be adverse or beneficial. Although the unavoidable delays and possible traffic numbers w ould be anticipated to be small, congestion. How ever, safety and conveni- staff and researchers arriving at the facility ence of the general public and residents in a residential neighborhood w ould have would be provided at all possible times. An higher visibility than in a commercial area. A increase in ambient noise and a sense of change in land use, w hether from commer- loss of privacy for residents would likely cial or residential, w ould be anticipated to occur in the immediate neighborhood as a remain compatible w ith adjacent land uses, result of construction activities. Inconveni- and no conflict w ith land use plans or ences and noise w ould be temporary, and regulations w ould be expected. adverse impacts w ould be minor.

Removing the carriage house from the rear Cumulative Impacts property line could open a view from ground level to the garages across the alley from The past and present preservation efforts of the historic site and to the space that w ould the historic site along w ith rehabilitation and become available for parking. If the new maintenance of nearby private properties building w ere constructed directly behind have resulted in major long-ter m beneficial the council house in the space of the court- cumulative impacts on the visual resources yard, the sense of tw o spatially separated of the neighborhood. These improvements buildings w ould be replaced w ith a feeling of could result in economic benefits in the enclosure and structural development. future to commercial proprietors along the Construction in this location w ould eliminate street behind the council house. the secluded residential patio. The new structure would be compatible w ith the architectural style of the council house. Conclusion Structure and landscape treatments vary behind nearby row houses. None of these Removing the carriage house and construc- changes w ould be visible from the street ting a new building behind the council house (because the council house is a row house). would have minor short-term benefits on the Only people using the alley and the tw o local economy. An increase in employ ment adjacent neighbors w ould be impacted. opportunities and sales of materials w ould Implementing alternative 4 w ould result in occur during the construction period. An long-term minor adverse impacts on visual increase in noise and possible delays from resources from w ithin and outside the construction traffic would result in temporary historic site. and minor inconveniences in the neighbor- hood. Removal of the carriage house and Leasing an established facility for storing construction of a new building w ould have archival collections w ould have negligible long-term minor adverse impacts on visual impacts on the socioeconomic environment. resources w ithin the historic site by How ever, if an established facility w ere not removing the patio. available, leasing another property w ould have negligible to minor long-ter m impacts Leasing an established facility for storing on land use depending upon land use in the archival collections w ould have negligible surrounding area. Changing land use from impacts on the socioeconomic environment.

104 Impacts on the Socioeconomic Environment

If leasing a residential or commercial The follow ing information contributed to the property were necessary, negligible to minor determination that none of the actions of the changes to land use w ould occur. alternatives w ould result in major direct or indirect adverse effects on any minority or low-income population or community: ENVIRONM ENTAL JUSTICE 1. The actions proposed in the alterna- Under a policy established by the secretary tives w ould not result in any identifiable of the interior to comply w ith Executive adverse human health effects. Therefore, Order 12898 ("Federal Actions to Address there w ould be no direct or indirect Environmental Justice in Minority Popula- adverse effects on any minority or low- tions and Low -Income Populations"), income population or community. departmental agencies should identify and evaluate, during the scoping and/or plan- 2. The impacts on the physical environ- ning processes, any anticipated effects, ment that w ould result from implementing direct or indirect, from the proposed project any of the alternatives w ould not have or action on minority and low -income major adverse effects on any minority or populations and communities, including the low-income population or community. equity of the distribution of the benefits and risks. If any significant impacts on minority 3. The alternatives w ould not result in and low -income populations and communi- any identified adverse effects that w ould ties w ere identified during the scoping be specific to any minority or low -income and/or planning processes, the environ- community. mental document should clearly evaluate and state the environmental consequences 4. The National Park Service has had an of the proposed project or action on minority active public participation program and and low -income populations and has equally considered all public input communities. from persons regardless of age, race, income status, or other socioeconomic or It w as determined that none of the actions demographic factors. of the alternatives considered in the Final General Management Plan / Environmental 5. No minority groups in the Logan Circle Impact Statement w ould result in major neighborhood, the District of Columbia, direct or indirect adverse effects on any or the National Capital region w ould be minority or low -income population or com- disproportionately affected. munity. How ever, NPS acquisition of one residence in the neighborhood could result 6. Effects on the Logan Circle neighbor- in a minor impact on a minority or low - hood, the District of Columbia, and the income population if the property com- National Capital regional socioeconomic manded relatively low rents. The Logan environment because of implementing Circle neighborhood, in w hich the national the alternatives w ould be marginally historic site is located, has a population beneficial and w ould occur over a consisting of mixed racial and economic number of years. Impacts on the socio- groups and a mixture of land use and economic environment w ould not be building conditions, and the area has been expected to significantly alter the undergoing revitalization in recent years as physical and social structure of the a result of restoration and preservation county or region. efforts.

105 IMPACTS ON SIT E ADMINIST RATION AND OPERATIONS

METHODOLOGY Type of Impact

Basis of Analysis Type of impact refers to w hether the impacts on site operations and facilities Impacts for each alternative w ere evaluated would be beneficial or adverse. Beneficial by assessing changes to operations that impacts w ould improve site operations would be necessary to meet various and/or facilities. Adverse impacts w ould operational requirements outlined in each of negatively affect site operations and/or the alternatives. The effects were compared facilities and could hinder the site staff’s to existing operations, facilities, and staffing, ability to provide adequate services and which are described in alternative 1. facilities to visitors.

Intensity ALTERNATIVE 1

The intensity of the impact considers Analysis whether the impact w ould be negligible, minor, moderate, or major. Negligible Because no additional property w ould be impacts are considered undetectable and acquired or leased, the house w ould would have no discernible effect on site continue to have insufficient space for tour operating costs, facilities, staff numbers, groups, creating noise and disruptions that and staff efficiency. Minor impacts are distract the staff. High demand for on-street effects on site operations and facilities that parking w ould continue to result in incon- would be slightly detectable but not veniences for staff and make access to the expected to have an overall effect on the site difficult. This w ould result in moderate costs or ability of the site staff to provide short-term adverse impacts over a long services and facilities. Moderate impacts time. Also, adequate space for administra- would be clearly detectable and could have tive functions would continue to be lacking, an appreciable effect on site operating and the adaptive use of residential spaces costs, staff efficiency, and facilities. Major results in inefficient office operations. impacts w ould have a substantial influence Maintenance and upkeep of the council on site operating costs, staff efficiency. house w ould continue as funding permits and in response to structural deterioration, without a more proactive preservation plan. Dur ation This w ould result in the continuation of moderate long-ter m adverse impacts. The duration of the impact considers whether the impact w ould occur for a short The archival collections w ould remain in the term and be temporary in nature, and carriage house. There w ould be no room for associated w ith transitional types of activi- the storage of expected additional collec- ties, or if the impact w ould occur over a long tions. Space for researchers and their w ork term and/or have a permanent effect on site would continue to be inadequate. These operations and facilities. conditions w ould continue to result in moderate long-ter m adverse impacts.

Because of the space, staff, and budget limitations, and the continuing conflicts

106 Impacts on Site Administration and Operations betw een administrative and visitor functions, in the adjacent property w ould increase the the approach to managing the site, carrying capacity of the house to about 180 archives, and educational programs is more people per day. Three existing parking reactive, w hich decreases overall site spaces would be available on the alley for operational efficiency. administrative use. Using the offsite space as a primary storage for the archives would Because alternative 1 w ould continue cur- leave the carriage house available for use rent management policies, there w ould be as a research center. no change in site operations, staffing, and facilities, thus implementing this alternative The adjacent row house has a door from the would continue to have moderate long-ter m sidew alk to the basement that could serve adverse impacts on operations. as an entrance for visitors and employees with mobility problems. Use of this row house w ould alleviate the need for making Cumulative Impacts an entrance into the council house, w hich would have an adverse impact on the No know n cumulative impacts on site opera- historic façades one reason the Logan tions, staffing, and facilities w ould be Circle Historic District w as formed. The expected. No projects or actions in or out- acquisition of the property, therefore, would side the historic site w ould combine w ith provide long-ter m major benefits for admini- actions described in alternative 1 to result in strative staff and researchers accessing the cumulative impacts. archives.

The additional space w ould also allow for Conclusion increasing the size of the staff. This alternative proposes increasing the staff to Implementing alternative 1 w ould have 13 – w hich w ould include an assistant site moderate long-ter m adverse impacts on site manager, another ranger, a visitor use administration and operations. Conflicts assistant, a museum educator/ curator, an resulting from incongruent uses and lack of additional archivist, an archival technician, space would continue. The lack of acces- and a maintenance w orker. These sible access to the council and carriage additional staff members w ould have a houses w ould continue to limit access by major long-ter m beneficial impact on more mobility impaired employees and visitors. efficient site operations and the staff’s ability This violates NPS policies. to provide enhanced visitor services compared to alternative 1. Moving the archives to the Museum Resource Center ALTERNATIVE 2 (PREFERRED) would decrease operational efficiency because staff w ould sometimes be required Analysis to retrieve archival materials from the center for researchers at the carriage house. In The purchase of the row house adjacent to addition, the operating hours w ould be the council house w ould double the space extended to seven days a week. The available for the administrative, visitor, and increased long-term costs w ould be a trade- archive functions. The use of the adjacent off for the enhanced visitor services. house to provide an orientation and movie space for large groups and site admini- Doubling the square footage of the site strative offices (upper floor) would separate would (presumably) double the mainte- the administrative and visitor functions w hile nance and utility costs a major long-ter m keeping the staff together. Orienting visitors adverse impact. An additional full-time

107 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES maintenance w orker would be added to would be offset by the long-term gain for handle the added w ork. visitors from the additional services provided.

Cumulative Impacts ALTERNATIVE 3 No know n cumulative impacts on site operations, staffing, and facilities w ould be Analysis expected. No projects or actions onsite or offsite would combine w ith the action Acquiring or leasing space near the council described in alternative 2 to result in house and expanding the existing carriage cumulative impacts. house w ould increase the space available for current functions and add an additional room for activities and w orkshops and Conclusion seminars a major long-term benefit in accommodating site functions. The primary functions of the site the museum and archives would receive Using the new area to provide space for major long-ter m benefits from implementing orientation, a movie, and comfort stations this alternative. They w ould both be able to for large groups would have a moderate expand into much-needed space. Orienting long-term benefit on efficiency by making visitors in large groups in another structure the process easier for site staff. It w ould would help decrease the level of w ear and also increase the carrying capacity of the tear and maintenance for the council house. house to 180 people per day (as in alternative 2). Using the new space for Orientation, restrooms, book sales and offices and the council house and carriage other visitor services that do not relate to house for ranger staff and archival staff interpretation and education but create w ear would cause a minor long-term adverse on the historic house w ould be moved to the effect by segregating the staff by function, new space. NPS staff would be provided therefore adding some communication and with more space, and that space w ould be operation impacts, less communication more conducive to w ork, free from noise betw een functional groups, increased and unavoidable intrusions from tours and transportation time and costs betw een the visitors. Site operational efficiency would be buildings, and increased difficulty getting increased, along w ith the staff’s ability to staff together for meetings. How ever, it provide visitor services. Operational would separate the administrative staff from efficiency for the archives would decrease the visitor functions, which w ould decrease slightly due to staff sometimes being visitor noise and interruptions for the staff required to retrieve archival materials from working in the offices. If space is leased in a the center. How ever, staff would also nearby office building, parking for staff and benefit due to the additional space for visitors could be provided, resulting in processing collections. Three parking moderate long-ter m benefits. spaces for staff would be available in the alley. The additional space allows for increasing the size of the staff. The composition of the With the acquisition of a new building, staff is directed toward the additional maintenance and utility costs would function of setting up and coordinating presumably double. Additional employees programs. This alternative proposes (seven) would mean a major long-term increasing the staff to 14. This includes tw o adverse impact on the site’s budget but rangers because the interpretive function

108 Impacts on Site Administration and Operations occurs in tw o locations, an assistant site meetings, as w ell as space for that function manager, a program coordinator, a would have moderate long-ter m beneficial education specialist/curator, an additional impacts on site operations. Site operations secretary, a maintenance w orker, and a would have the necessary space to function visitor use assistant. These staff members effectively. If space if leased in a nearby would have a moderate long-ter m beneficial office, staff parking space might be impact on site operational efficiency and the available. staff’s ability to provide enhanced visitor services compared to alternative 1. How ever, separating the staff into three Increased staff would provide more and locations w ould be a minor long-ter m varied programs, including outreach adverse impact on site operations requiring programs. Additional staff assigned to more effort for communication. primarily administrative functions w ould provide other staff time for more in-depth With the acquisition of a new building, and research and program development. new programs being given in it, mainte- nance and utility costs would increase. Staff would need to be available for Additional employees (eight) w ould mean a programs outside standard operating hours moderate long-ter m impact on the site’s to accommodate w orkshops, lectures, and budget but w ould be offset by the long-term other programs This w ould mean additional gain for visitors because of the additional salary costs but w ould be offset by the services provided. opportunities provided to visitors.

Increasing the square footage of the site ALTERNATIVE 4 would have major long-ter m adverse impacts on site maintenance costs. The Analysis extent of the impact w ould be greatly affected by whether the new space is Accommodating the archives offsite in a leased or acquired. The new services professional archival facility (operated by workshops and seminars would increase leased and contracted operator) and demol- maintenance needed for setting up and ishing the carriage house and reconstruc- cleaning up. A maintenance position w ould ting a building in its location w ould have a be added to handle the additional w ork. moderate long-ter m beneficial impact on site operations by providing additional space for site functions offices, the Cumulative Impacts bookstore, and restrooms. The cost of offsite archival storage would increase site No know n cumulative impacts on site operating costs. Access and parking w ould operations, staffing, and facilities w ould be continue as they are now a moderate expected. No projects or actions onsite or long-term adverse impact. Carrying capacity offsite would combine w ith actions for the house would continue as in the no- described in alternative 3 to result in action alternative, w hich w ould continue to cumulative impacts. result in inadequate space for administrative functions and continued inefficient office operations. Conclusion Replacing the carriage house w ith a new Providing additional space for the archives facility w ould decrease maintenance and and site administrative functions, and utility costs and increase energy efficiency. providing a new function, programs and Construction of the new carriage house

109 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES could allow for the addition of one or tw o Conclusion parking spaces. The new spaces would accommodate close accessible parking and The implementation of alternative 4 w ould parking for one NPS vehicle. This w ould have minor to moderate long-ter m beneficial provide a long-ter m minor beneficial impact. impacts on site operations by providing additional space for offices, the bookstore, Adding one additional ranger or visitor use and restrooms, allow ing for more efficient assistant w ould have minor long-term functioning than alternative 1. adverse impacts on operating costs (w hich would be a trade-off for slightly increased Maintenance of the facility that replaces the operational efficiency and staff ability to carriage house w ould be easier w ith sus- provide increased visitor services compared tainable modern plumbing, a modern to alternative 1). heating and ventilation system, and modern electrical circuits. More of the archivists’ Moving the archives offsite could have a time w ould be used for research and moderate short-term adverse impact on interpretation. Maintenance of the archives researchers if they had to travel farther to would be improved by contracting that reach that site or traveled to the council service offsite. Visitor services and site house not know ing that the archives had administration w ould gain space and been moved offsite In addition, more of the function more efficiently. The cost of offsite archivist’s time w ould be used for research archival storage and the addition of one and interpreting files. Some of this lost time staff member w ould increase the site’s would be balanced by needing less time to operating costs but w ould be offset by the maintain the archival collections, w hich additional services provided. would be maintained by a contractor. There would also be a long-ter m moderate The cost of offsite archival storage and the adverse impact on the site’s operating costs addition of one staff member w ould increase for leasing the archival storage facility. the site’s operating costs but w ould be offset by the long-term gain for the protection of the archives, slightly more Cumulative Impacts efficient site operations, and slightly enhanced staff ability to provide additional No know n cumulative impacts on site visitor services compared to alternative 1. operations, staffing, and facilities w ould be expected through implementing this alternative. No projects or actions onsite or offsite would combine w ith the actions described in alternative 4 to result in cumulative impacts.

110 OTHER IMPACTS

UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE EFFECTS Alternative 2

Unavoidable adverse impacts are those Implementation of this alternative w ould be impacts that cannot be fully mitigated or expected to have minor long-ter m adverse avoided. impacts on the council house and adjacent historic property due to the addition of doorw ays to the council house and an Alternative 1 elevator and doorw ays in the adjacent property. Unless the funds became available to upgrade the carriage house, the inability to Lack of parking space w ould have a long- expand, process, and preserve the archives term moderate adverse impact on visitors for research use w ould continue to pose who arrive by private automobile. major cultural resource management issues for NPS management into the future and Increasing the square footage of the site would have moderate to major long-term would (presumably) double the mainte- adverse impacts on the expansion, nance and utility costs − a major long-ter m preservation, and use of the collections adverse impact.

Staffing numbers at their current level and Construction activities could have short- physical limitations of the house w ould term impacts on drivers using the alley continue to result in long-ter m moderate behind the council house. Unavoidable adverse impacts on visitors’ opportunities to inconveniences such as construction experience in-depth the stories of Dr. vehicles blocking access to some resi- Bethune and the council house. dences and businesses along the alley would result in temporary delays and Par king limitations, lack of accessibility for possible traffic congestion. An increase in visitors w ith disabilities, inadequate ambient noise and a sense of loss of restroom facilities, and inadequate space to privacy for residents w ould likely occur in handle groups w ould continue to have long- the immediate neighborhood as a result of term major adverse impacts on the visitor construction activities. Inconveniences and experience. noise w ould be temporary, and adverse impacts w ould be minor. The lack of space for visitors and offices would result in the continuation of moderate Implementing alternative 2 w ould likely to major long-term adverse impacts. displace one or more occupants in a structure. The relocation w ould be a short- Because alternative 1 w ould continue term major disruption to those having to current management policies, there w ould mov e. be no change in site operations, staffing, and facilities; thus, implementing this alternative w ould continue to have moderate Alternative 3 long-term adverse impacts on operations. Enlarging the carriage house could have a major long-ter m adverse effect on the structure because its architectural values could be lost.

111 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

Implementing alternative 3 w ould have a betw een the buildings, and increase moderate adverse impact on visitors w ho difficulty getting staff together for meetings. were expecting a traditional house tour and a moderate beneficial impact on visitors or Increasing the square footage of the site community members involved in special would have major long-ter m adverse workshops or programs. impacts on site operating and utility costs. The extent of the impact w ould be greatly Construction activities w ould have the same affected by whether the new space is short-term adverse impacts as alternative 2 leased or acquired. The new services − on neighborhood traffic, with unavoidable workshops and seminars − w ould increase delays and possible traffic congestion. An maintenance needed for setting up and increase in ambient noise and a sense of cleaning up. A maintenance position w ould loss of privacy for residents would likely be added to handle the additional w ork. occur in the immediate neighborhood as a result of construction activities. Inconveni- ences and noise w ould be temporary, and Alternative 4 adverse impacts w ould be minor. Demolition of the carriage house and its Adverse impacts w ould be short-term and replacement w ith a modern structure w ould minor to those area-dependent businesses constitute a major long-term adverse effect that w ould be able to relocate w ithin the on a historic property and on any remaining same neighborhood. It is possible that the architectural features of the carriage house impact could become long ter m if the busi- and the landscape. ness relocates to an inconvenient site that results in the loss of a major portion of the The installation of an elevator at the rear of customer base. Customers might experi- the council house w ould result in some ence minor long-ter m adverse impacts such minor long-ter m adverse impacts on the as the inconvenience of requiring more time structure, but the building’s documented to travel to more distant locations. architectural values that contribute to its listing on the National Register of Historic Some lifestyle and social changes might Places w ould not be affected. result from visitors walking or otherw ise traveling betw een the council house and a Construction activities w ould have the same nearby property, particularly w ith respect to short-term adverse impacts as alternatives neighborhood residents. Potential impacts 2 and 3 on neighborhood traffic w ith might include a loss of privacy for neighbors unavoidable delays and possible traffic and possible trespass by visitors. How ever, congestion. An increase in ambient noise because of the urban character of the area, and a sense of loss of privacy for residents the magnitude of these adverse changes would likely occur in the immediate neigh- would be anticipated to be short-term and borhood as a result of construction activi- minor. ties. Inconveniences and noise w ould be temporary, and adverse impacts w ould be Using the new space for offices and the minor. council house and carriage house for ranger staff and archival staff would cause a minor The new structure would be compatible w ith long-term adverse effect by segregating the the architectural style of the council house. staff by function; therefore, adding some Structure and landscape treatments vary communication and operation impacts, less behind nearby row houses. None of these communication betw een functional groups, changes w ould be visible from the street increased transportation time and costs (because the council house is a row house).

112 Other Impacts

Only people using the alley and the tw o RELATIONSHIP OF SHORT-TERM USES adjacent neighbors w ould be impacted. OF T HE ENVIRONMENT AND THE Implementing alternative 4 w ould result in M AINTENA NC E A ND ENHA NC EM ENT OF long-term minor adverse impacts on visual LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY resources from w ithin and outside the historic district. This section discusses the effects of the short-term use of resources resulting from Changing land use from commercial to implementing each alternative on the long- public w ould have negligible impacts, term productivity of resources at the whereas changing land use from residential national historic site. to public w ould be a minor impact. Depending on the existing land use mix and specific neighborhood, this impact could be Alternative 1 adverse or beneficial. The continuation of current management Moving the archives offsite could have a trends, including the absence of a historic moderate short-term adverse impact on structure report and cyclic maintenance researchers if they had to travel farther to preservation program, as w ell as possible reach that site or traveled to the council increases in visitation, w ould jeopardize the house not know ing that the archives had long-term protection/ preservation of the been moved offsite. In addition, more of the historic buildings, landscape, and historic archivist’s time w ould be used for research furnishings/ artifacts at the national historic and interpreting files. There w ould also be site. Current management trends could also an adverse long-term moderate impact on jeopardize future acquisition and expansion the site’s operating costs for leasing the of the site's historic furnishings/ artifacts and archival storage facility. archival collections.

Separating the staff into three locations Providing a dehumidifier, a vapor barrier, would be a minor long-term adverse impact insulation, and a fire protection system in on site operations, requir ing more effort for the carriage house w ould provide enhanced communication. environmental archival preservation standards for the archives and would be a Par king space w ould be as difficult to find long-term benefit for the archival collections as in alternative 1 for visitors arriving by in the carriage house. private automobiles, resulting in a long-term moderate adverse impact. Alternative 2 Limited staff numbers w ould result in moderate long-ter m adverse impacts on Improving the management of the cultural visitors’ opportunities to experience the site resources at the historic site, as provided in and understand its stories. the preferred alternative, w ould contribute to their long-ter m protection and preservation. Adding one additional ranger or visitor use Preparing a historic structure report and assistant w ould have minor long-term establishing an enhanced cyclic mainte- adverse impacts on operating costs. nance preservation program w ould enhance protection of the documented historic architectural values of the council house and the carriage house. The separation of functions between the council house and the adjacent row house would afford better

113 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES protection of the council house’s historic facility. Thus, actions under this alternative fabric and enhance visitor experience at the could result in the further long-ter m loss of site. Improved maintenance of the the carriage house's architectural integrity. landscape, supported by the preparation of Redesign of the current landscape to a cultural landscape report and a cultural accommodate accessible entry to the landscape preservation plan, w ould protect buildings and to make it compatible w ith significant elements of the site's historic those of surrounding neighborhood proper- designed landscape. ties could result in the long-ter m loss of significant elements of the site's historic The acquisition, preservation, and use of designed landscape. Because historic historic furnishings and artifacts as furnishings and artifacts would primarily be permanent, semiper manent, or traveling used in traveling exhibits and outreach exhibits w ould be enhanced as a result of programs, their display in the council house preparing an exhibit plan and a historic would be minimized, thus removing such furnishings plan. objects from their historic context and negatively affecting their onsite interpretive Renovating the carriage house interior, value on a short-term basis. within the constraints of historic structural considerations and local zoning ordinances, would provide a modern state-of-the-art Alternative 4 archival/ research repository that meets modern professional archival standards and Actions under this alternative w ould have would help ensure the long-ter m protection the same beneficial effects on the council of the archival collections. house as described in alternatives 2 and 3. How ever, under this alternative the carriage house w ould be demolished and replaced Alternative 3 by a modern building, thus resulting in the removal and long-ter m loss of a historic The documented architectural values of the structure. council house w ould be preserved as described in alternative 2. The emphasis on Actions for acquiring, processing, preserv- activist programs, expanded traveling ing, and using the archival collections w ould exhibits, and offsite programs w ould have the same beneficial effects as those potentially limit the number of persons described in alternative 3, although the visiting the site. Many people w ould learn management of the collections w ould be the story offsite. Offsite visitors would learn transferred offsite via contract to a the story, exhibits, and possibly a video at professional archival/research repository. the orientation center, but may not have time to visit the historic house. This w ould The acquisition, preservation, and use of afford increased long-term protection to the historic furnishing pieces and artifacts historic fabric of the council house. throughout the council house w ould be improved, enabling the structure to serve as Although protection and preservation of the an authentic historic house museum. Thus, archival collections w ould be the same as this alternative w ould provide for the described in alternative 2, facilities for the greatest degree of preserving historic expansion, processing, preservation, and furnishings and artifacts and of interpreting use of the archival collections under this them w ithin their historic context. alternative w ould be provided onsite by expanding the carriage house to provide The historic designed landscape w ould be space for a modern state-of-the-art archival restored and maintained as recommended

114 Other Impacts by a cultural landscape report and a cultural structure's documented architectural values. landscape preservation plan. Thus, this Redesign of the current landscape to alternative w ould provide for the greatest accommodate accessible entry to the degree of preserving the historic designed buildings and to make it compatible w ith landscape. those of surrounding neighborhood properties could result in the loss of significant elements of the site's historic IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE designed landscape. Thus, these actions COMMITMENTS OF RESOURCES could be irreversible commitments of resources. Also, enlarging and developing An irreversible commitment of resources is the carriage house w ould require the one that cannot be changed once it occurs commitment of building materials. except perhaps in the extreme long ter m for example, the loss of character-defining features such as the loss of a building’s Alternative 4 façade. An irretrievable commitment means the resource is lost for a period of time and Replacing the carriage house w ith a modern likely cannot be recovered or reused for building w ould result in an irreversible example adding another story to a historic commitment of resources. This w ould result structure. in the loss of the historic attributes of the structure. Building a new building w ould require a commitment of building materials. Alternative 1 These resources are not in short supply, and their use w ould not have an adverse The lack of a comprehensive preservation effect on the availability of these resources. maintenance program for the council house and the carriage house, as w ell as increased visitation to the site, could result IMPACTS ON ENERGY REQUIREM ENTS in the loss of historic fabric and structural AND CONSERVATION POTENTIAL deterioration, thus resulting in the loss of the buildings' historic integrity and an irretriev- Limited amounts of nonrenew able resour- able commitment of resources. The lack of ces would be used for construction projects, a cultural landscape report and a cultural including rehabilitation/ preservation of the landscape plan could result in the loss of buildings and landscape (alternatives 1-4), significant elements of the site's historic expansion of the carriage house (alternative designed landscape and an irretrievable 3), and demolition and replacement of the commitment of resources. carriage house (alternative 4). This expendi- ture of energy would be short term and negligible and include fuel for construction Alternative 2 vehicles, construction materials, and energy used in manufacturing materials. Renovating the carriage house w ould require commitments of small amounts of A temporary increase in energy expenditure building mater ials. These resources are not would occur if the archival collections w ere in short supply, and their use w ould not moved to an offsite repository. The increase have an adverse effect on the availability of would result from the transfer of the these resources. collections as w ell as staff and researcher transportation betw een the national historic site and the offsite facility. Alternative 3

Enlarging and developing the carriage house into a modern archival facility could have a major adverse effect on the

115 CONS ULTATION A ND C OORDI NATI ON

SCOPI NG A ND OT HER P UBLIC collected and made available for INVOLVEMENT EFFORTS researchers. • Encourage our kids to see w hat has The National Park Service completed the happened in the past. scoping phase through a public involvement effort, including three public meetings and tw o newsletters requesting comments Potential Elements for Some Alternatives regarding the future of the site. During the period from February to June, 1998, public • Use the house as a teaching mechan- meetings w ere held in Washington, D.C., ism. (Alternatives provide different Chicago, Illinois, and Daytona Beach, approaches.) Florida. After mailing out a newsletter that • People living nearby do not know about described the draft alternatives, an open the site; there needs to be more house w as held in December 1999 to community outreach. (Alternatives receive public comments on these draft provide different approaches.) alternatives. • Broaden the thinking of the surrounding community, talk about the Shaw district, Public comments w ere given at the public Black Washington, broad interpretation: meetings, and letters and Internet mes- bring out the history of the city, not the sages were received in response to the national city, the local city (Alternatives new sletters. All comments given in provide different approaches to broad response to the scoping process have been interpretive concepts. Comprehensive considered and w ill remain in the admini- Interpretive Plan determines details.) strative record throughout the planning • Spread the information on the council process. A summary and listing of the public house throughout the nation. Sending comments are available to the public and brochures to churches will help can be obtained through the site manager. encourage visits. (Alternatives provide different approaches.) In consideration of public responses during • Establish partnerships w ith other African the scoping for this project, the planning American conventions/organizations team deter mined that the follow ing things nationw ide and w ith churches, colleges, were to be considered in developing the and associations. (Alternatives provide alternatives: different approaches.) • Acquire the property next to the site to allow for expansion, accessibility, and For All Alternatives archives. (Alternatives provide different approaches.) • Encourage visitor participation and • Put organizations’ records in one place. feedback. (Alternatives provide different • It is important to have a place w here approaches.) African American w omen’s history is • Raise consciousness in the African collected. American community of the importance • The limited history of African American of and need for preserving materials. women’s accomplishments points out (Alternatives provide different the need of having a place w here approaches.) African American w omen’s history is • Move archives to another building that is centrally located or purchase adjacent

116 Consultation and Coordination

building for archives. (Alternatives Officers, certain undertakings require only provide different approaches.) internal NPS review for Section 106 • Increase space for researchers. purposes (see table 5). Other undertakings (Alternatives provided different require standard Section 106 review in approaches.) accordance with 36 CFR 800, and in those instances the National Park Service A Federal Register notice and media consults as necessary w ith the State announcements initiated the beginning of a Historic Preservation Office, the Advisory formal public comment period on this draft Council on Historic Preservation, and other plan. All interested agencies, groups, and interested parties. individuals are invited to review the document and submit comments. Coordination Public meetings on the draft plan w ill be held if issues raised by this document The Final General Management Plan / warrant them. Environmental Impact Statement has been developed pursuant to Section 102(2)c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of Consultation 1969 ( Public Law 91-190) and the Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 During development of this Final General CFR 1508.22). The intent of this planning Management Plan, the National Park process is to prepare a general manage- Service consulted on a regular basis w ith ment plan that discusses protection and the historic site’s Federal Advisory enhancement of the values for which Mary Commission. This commission appointed McLeod Bethune Council House National four representatives who have participated Historic Site w as authorized as a unit of the and w ill continue to participate as members national park system. During the planning of the project planning team and serving as process, management alternatives have liaison w ith other members of the advisory been developed that address cultural commission. The full commission reviewed resource protection, visitor experience at elements of the plan as they w ere drafted the site, and limitations of site facilities. and provided review comments on the draft Through scoping and the public comment plan. review process, the planning process was conducted w ith other federal agencies, state In accordance w ith Section IV of the 1995 and local governments, and interested programmatic agreement among the organizations and individuals. National Park Service, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation

117 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION

TABLE 5. CULTURAL RESOURCE COMPLIANCE W ITH SECTION 106

Actions programmatically excluded from Actions requiring consultation with the State Section 106 review outside the National Park Historic Preservation Office during project Service design development Preservation/maintenance treatment of Elevator added to adjacent structure; addition of structures in accordance with The Secretary of doorways on each floor of council house to the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of provide access from elevator Historic Properties (exclusion IV.B.1) Installation of elevator at rear of council house Preservation/maintenance treatment of landscape in accordance with The Secretary of Enlargement of carriage house the Interior’s Guidelines for the Treatment of Cul tural Landscapes (exclusion IV.B.2) Demolition of carriage house

Preservation/maintenance treatment of historic Redesign of extant landscape furnishings/artifacts in accordance with National Park Service Standards for NPS Museum Collections Management, Director’s Order No. 24, and National Park Service Museum Handbook, Part 1 (exclusion IV.B.1)

Rehabilitation of landscape (exclusion IV.B.9)

LIST OF AGENCIES AND Organizations ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING A COPY Ad Hoc Labor Committee OF T HIS FI NAL M ANAGEM ENT PLA N / African American Civil War Memor ial ENVIRONM ENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT African American Heritage Pre. Fd. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc An * indicates that a comment on the draft American Federal of Teachers plan w as received from this agency or Amistad Research Center, Tulane organization. University Association for the Study of African- Federal Agencies American Life and History Advisory Council on Historic Association of African American Museums Preservation Association of Black Women Historians Environmental Protection Agency* Bethune- Cookman College Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site Bethune Museum & Archives, Inc Women's Rights National Historic Site Black Fashion Museum Black Leadership Forum Congressional Representatives Capital Hill Restoration Society Eleanor Holmes Norton Charles Sumner School Museum Charlotte Haw kins Brown Historic Site State Agencies Chi Eta Phi Sorority State Historic Preservation Office Children's Defense Fund Chu ms , Inc Local Agencies Continental Societies Advisory Neighborhood Commission DC Heritag e To uris m Co alit ion DC Preservation League Delicados, Inc

118 Consultation and Coordination

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc National Council of Churches Dow ntown DC Business Improvement National Council of Negro Women, Inc District National Guard Chapter Dupont Kalorama Museum Consortium National Humanities Center E Morris Communications, Inc National Medical Association, Et a Phi Beta Sor or ity Fleming Auxiliary Friends of Lincoln Park National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Gamma Phi Delta Sorority National Women of Achievement Grand Temple Daughters of Elks National Women's History Project Historic House Museums Consortium of Pratt Library Metropolitan Washington, DC Pi Inucrib Rho Omega Sorority Historical Society of Washington, D.C. Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe College Ladies Auxiliary SCLC Women Lamba Kappa Mu Sorority Schomburg Center for Research in Black Las Amigas, Inc Culture Law yers Committee for Civil Rights Sew all-Belmont House Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Les Gemmes, Inc Tau Gamma Delta Sorority Logan Circle Community Association The Charmettes, Inc Manna Comm. Development Corp. The Women's Convention Mary McLeod Bethune Family Legacy Thurgood Marshall Trust for Service and Mary McLeod Bethune Foundation, Heritage Bethune- Cookman College Top Ladies of Distinction Mary McLeod Bethune Institute Trade Union Women of African American Moorland Springarn Research Center, Heritage How ard University Tw inks Social & Civil Club Mount Olivet Evangelical Lutheran Church United Negro College Fund N Street Village Women Law yers Division National Association of Colored Women's Woman's Home & Overseas Miss. Clubs Women's Missionary Council National Association of Negro Business & Women's Missionary Society Professional Women's Clubs, Inc Zeta Phi Beta Sorority National Association of University Women National Black Nurses Association

119 RESPONSES TO COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT PLAN

The National Park Service received 18 Many of the comments expressed an comments on the Draft Mary McLeod opinion on the alternatives presented in the Bethune Council House National Historic document. One individual expressed a Site General Management Plan / preference for the Alternative 1, No-Action; Environmental Impact Statement. One w as one individual expressed a preference for from the federal advisory commission, one Alternative 3, Emphasis on Activities and of the comments w as from a federal Programs, and one individual preferred agency, and sixteen comments w ere Alternative 4, Emphasis on Museum. received from individuals. Tw elve individuals indicated their preference for Alternative 2, Dual Emphasis, The Council on Environmental Quality the preferred alternative. Additional (1978) guidelines for implementing the comments w ithin letters received had ideas National Environmental Policy Act require that w ere outside the scope of the the National Park Service to respond to management plan / environmental impact "substantive" comments.” A comment is statement. The National Park Service substantive if it meets any of the follow ing values this input and w here applicable it w ill criteria from Director’s Order 12, be taken into account in future plans. “Conservation Planning and Environmental How ever, no response is provided to such Impact Analysis” (NPS 1999). comments in this document.

• It questions, w ith reasonable basis, the Photocopies of the letter from the agency accuracy of information. and the federal advisory commission follow . • It questions, w ith reasonable basis, the The federal advisory commission requested adequacy of environmental analysis. minor changes to the document, and the • It presented reasonable alternatives responses to them are provided. other than those proposed in the plan. • It w ould cause changes or revisions in the preferred alternative.

120

RESPONSES TO COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT PLAN

Responses to the Commission’s Letter Comment C. This request is not in the scope of this general management plan. I. Language regarding archival research, Comment D. Language has been processing, and collections has been changed/added to address this changed. comment. Comment E. This request is not in the No response w as made regarding scope of this general management plan. interpretation because it w ould be Comment F. Language has been inconsistent w ith the description in the changed/added to address this section that describes the alternatives. comment.

Language regarding African-American V. Requested changes w ere covered by women's history w as added to alternative 3 changes made in II above. in the “Alternatives, Including the Preferred Alternative” section. VII. Language has been changed/added to address this comment. II. Comments A, B, and C. Text has been VIII Language has been changed/added to added to the document to address these address this comment. concerns. IV. Language has been changed/added to III. Text has been added to the document to address this comment. address oral history interpretation. VI. Requested changes w ere covered by IV . changes made in II above. Comment A. Language w as added to consider parking enhancements. IX. Language has been changed/added to Comment B. Requested changes w ere address this comment. covered by changes made in II above.

122

APPENDIXES

SELECTED REFERENCES, PREPARERS, INDEX

127

APPENDIX C: COST ESTIMATE DETAILS

AL TE R N ATI V E O N E Area Description Qty. Unit Cost/Unit Net Cost Carriage House 1st Floor Archives 552 Sq ft Restroom/storage 138 Sq ft 2nd Floor Office 690 Sq ft Council House 1st Floor Interpretation 1,150 Sq ft Stairs and hall 314 Sq ft Bookstore 100 Sq ft 2nd Floor Interpretation 1,070 Sq ft Stairs and hall 314 Sq ft Office 100 Sq ft Restroom 80 Sq ft 3rd Floor Office 1,250 Sq ft Stairs and hall 314 Sq ft Exhibits Renovate existing 2,220 Sq ft $ 300 $ 666,000

Total $ 666,000

AL TE R N ATI V E TW O Area Description Qty. Unit Cost/Unit Net Cost Carriage House 1st Floor Archives 552 Sq ft Restroom/storage 138 Sq ft 2nd Floor Office 690 Sq ft Council House 1st Floor Interpretation 1,150 Sq f t Stairs and hall 314 Sq ft Bookstore 100 Sq ft 2nd Floor Interpretation 1,070 Sq ft Stairs and hall 314 Sq ft Office 100 Sq ft Restroom 80 Sq ft 3rd Floor Office 1,250 Sq ft Stairs and hall 314 Sq ft Exhibits Renovate existing/add new 3,470 Sq ft $ 300 $ 1,041,000 New Space Interpretive 2,650 Research lab 600 Additional office 1,286 New space subtotal 4,536 Sq ft $ 215 $ 975,000 Rehabilitation (Nonstructural) 4,536 Sq ft $ 80 $ 363,800

Total $ 2,379,000

149 APPENDIXES

ALTERNATIVE THREE Area Description Qty. Unit Cost/Unit Net Cost Carriage House 1st Floor Archives 552 Sq f t Restroom/storage 138 Sq ft 2nd Floor Office 690 Sq ft Remodel (structural) 1,380 Sq ft $ 180 $ 248,000 New space 690 Sq ft $ 200 $ 138,000 Council House 1st Floor Interpretation 1,150 Sq f t Stairs and hall 314 Sq ft Bookstore 100 Sq ft 2nd Floor Interpretation 1,070 Sq ft Stairs and hall 314 Sq ft Office 100 Sq ft Restroom 80 Sq ft 3rd Floor Office 1,250 Sq ft Stairs and hall 314 Sq ft Exhibits Renovate existing/add new 2,720 Sq ft $ 300 $ 816,000 New Space Conference rooms, exhibits 1,250 Additional office 1,878 New Space Subtotal 3,128 Sq ft $ 215 $ 673,000 Rehabilitation (nonstructural) 3,128 Sq ft $ 80 $ 250,000

TOTAL $ 2,125,000

AL TE R N ATI V E F O U R Area Description Qty. Unit Cost/Unit Net Cost Carriage House 1st Floor Archives 552 Sq f t Restroom/storage 138 Sq ft 2nd Floor Office 690 Sq ft Demolish Existing Building 1,380 Sq ft $ 10 $ 14,000 Public restroom/bookstore 650 Sq ft Office 1,216 Sq ft New Space Subtotal 1,866 Sq ft $ 250 $ 467,000 Council House 1st Floor Interpretation 1,150 Sq f t Stairs and hall 314 Sq ft Bookstore 100 Sq ft 2nd Floor Interpretation 1,070 Sq ft Stairs and hall 314 Sq ft Office 100 Sq ft Restroom 80 Sq ft 3rd Floor Office 1,250 Sq ft Stairs and hall 314 Sq ft Exhibits Renovate existing/add new 3,470 Sq ft $ 300 $ 1,041,000

TOTAL $ 1,522,000

150 Project/ Location: Mar y McLeod Bethune Council Hous e NHS General Management Plan 7/10/00 Subjec t Functional Component Altern ative 1 Altern ative 2 Altern ative 3 Altern ative 4 Description Project Life C ycle = 25 years Discount R ate = 7.00% Present Time = Current Date

INITIAL COSTS Quantity UM Unit Price Est. PW Est. PW Est. PW Est. PW Construction Cos ts A. ______$0. 00 666,000 666,000 2,379, 120 2,379, 120 2,125, 160 2,125, 160 1,521, 300 1,521, 300 B. ______$0. 00 ______0 C. ______$0. 00 ______0 D. ______$0. 00 ______0 E. ______$0. 00 ______0 F. ______$0. 00 ______0 G. ______0 Total Initial Co sts 666,000 2,379, 120 2,125, 160 1,521, 300 Initial Cost PW Savings (Compared to Alt. 1) (1,713,120) (1,459,160) (855, 300)

REP LACE ME NT COST/SALVAGE VALUE Descr iption Year PW Factor A. Visitor Orientation, Repl ace 5 0.7130 ____ 0 195,046 139,066 167,624 119,513 ____ 0 B. Visitor Orientation, Repl ace 10 0.5083 ____ 0 195,046 99, 152 167,624 85, 211 ____ 0 B. Visitor Orientation, Repl ace 15 0.3624 ____ 0 195,046 70, 694 167,624 60, 754 ____ 0 B. Visitor Orientation, Repl ace 20 0.2584 ____ 0 195,046 50, 404 167,624 43, 317 ____ 0 C______0 1.000 ____ 0 ____ 0 ____ 0 ____ 0 D.______0 1.000 ____ 0 ____ 0 ____ 0 ____ 0 E. _____ 0 1.000 ____ 0 ____ 0 ___ 0 ____ 0 Total Replacem ent/Salvag e Costs 0 359,316 308,795 0

ANNUAL COS TS Descr iption Escl. % PW A A. Leasing 0.00% 11, 654 ____ 0 ____ 0 ____ 0 22, 080 257,311 B. St affing 0.00% 11, 654 318,000 3,705, 839 689,000 8,029, 319 742,000 8,646, 859 371,000 4,323, 479 C. 0.00% 11, 654 ____ 0 ____ 0 ____ 0 ____ 0 D. 0.00% 11, 654 ____ 0 ____ 0 ____ 0 ____ 0 E. 0.00% 11, 654 ____ 0 ____ 0 ____ 0 ____ 0 F.______0.00% 11, 654 ____ 0 ____ 0 ____ 0 ____ 0 Total Annual Costs (present worth) 3,705,839 8,029,319 8,646,959 4,580,790

Total Life C ycle Cost s (present worth) 4,371, 639 10, 767,755 11, 080,914 6,102, 090 Life C ycle Savings (compared to Alt. 1) (6,395,915) (6,709,074) (1,730,251)

151 SELECTED REFERENCES

A d am s, Ru sse l L . Green, Katrina A. 1973 Great Negroes Past and Present. 1996 “Revisiting the History of ‘Council Chicago: Afro-American Publishing House’ in Legacy, vol. 5, no. 1, pg. 7. Company. Bethune Museum Association.

Bethune, Mary McLeod. Halasa, Malu 1955 “My Last Will and Testament.” Ebony, X 1989 Mary McLeod Bethune, Educator. New (August 1955), pp. 105-10. York: Chelsea House Publishers.

1950 “The Negro in Retrospect and Hine, Darlene Clark. ed. Prospect.” The Journal of Negro History, 1933 “Mary McLeod Bethune.” Black Women XXXV (January 1950), pp. 9-19. in America: An Historical Encyclopedia. 2 vols. Brooklyn, New York: Carlson Brawl ey, Benj ami n Publi shi ng Inc. 1973 Negro Builders and Heroes. Chapel Hil l: University of North Carolina Press. National Park Service, Historic American Buildings Survey Collier-Thomas, Bettye n.d. 1318 Vermont Avenue, NW (Mary 1981 “NCNW, 1935-1980. Washington, D.C., McLeod Bethune House). HABS No. Bethune Museum and Archives. DC-775.

1986 “Towards Black Feminism: The Creation Holt, Rackham of the Bethune Museum and Archives.” 1964 Mary McLeod Bethune: A Biography. In Women’s Collections: Libraries, Garden City, New York: Doubleday & Archives, and Consciousness, edited by Company, Inc. Suzanne Hildenbrand. New York: Haworth Press. Leffall, Delores D., and Sims, Janet L. 1976 “Mary McLeod Bethune – The 1996 “The Bethune Museum and Archives: Educator.” The Journal of Negro Entering New Frontiers” in Legacy, vol. Education, VL (Summer 1976), pp. 342- 5, no. 1, pg. 3. Bethune Museum 59. Association. McClusky, Audrey Thomas, and Smith, Elaine Dees, Jesse W. M. eds. 1963 The College Built on Prayer: Mary 1999 Mary McLeod Bethune: Building a McLeod Bethune. Daytona Beach, Better World: Essays and Selected Florida: Bethune-Cookman College. Documents. Bloomington: Indiana Un i ve rsi ty P re ss. Fl emming, Shei la Y. 1995 The Answered Prayer to a Dream: M cEl rath, Susan K. Bethune-Cookman College, 1904-1994. 1996 “The National Archives for Black Virginia Beach, Florida: Donning Women’s History: Then and Now” in Company. Legacy, vol. 5, no. 1, pg. 6. Bethune M u se um A sso ci a ti on . Flynn, James J. 1970 Negroes of Achievement in Modern National Register of Historic Places America. New York: Dodd, Mead & 1994 African American Historic Places, ed. by Company. Beth L. Savage.Washington, D.C.: The Preservation Press, National Trust for Historic Preservation.

152 Selected References

Peare, Catherine Owens 1981 “Federal Archives as a Source for 1951 Mary McLeod Bethune. New York: Determi ning the Rol e of Mary McLeod Vanguard Press. Bethune in the National Youth Administration,” in Afro-American Polski, Harry A., and Kaiser, Ernest. eds. History: Sources for Research, ed. by 1971 “Mary McLeod Bethune,” in Afro USA. Robert L. Clarke. Washington, D.C.: New York: Bellwether Publishing Howard University Press. Company, Inc. 1992 “Mary McLeod Bethune,” in Notabl e Pool e, Berni ce Anderson Black American Women, ed. by Jessie 1994 Mary McLeod Bethune. Los Angeles: Carney Smith. Detroit, Michigan: Gale Melrose Square Publishing Company. Research.

Reagon, Bernice 1995 “Introduction, A Guide to the Microfilm 1982 “Mary Jane McLeod Bethune.” In Edition of the Mary McLeod Bethune Dictionary of American Negro Papers: The Bethune-Cookman College Biography, ed. by Rayford W. and Collection, 1922-1955.” Bethesda, Mi chael R. W. Logan. New York: W.W. Maryland: University Publications of Norton. America.

Ross, B. Joyce 1996 “Mary McLeod Bethune’s ‘Last Will and 1975 “Mary McLeod Bethune and the National Testament’: A Legacy for Race Youth Administration: A Case Study of Vindication.” The Journal of Negro Power Relationships in the Black History, LXXXI (Spring, Summer, Cabinet of Franklin D. Roosevelt.” The Winter, Fall, 1996), pp. 106-22. Journal of Negro History, XL (January 1975), pp. 1-28.

Smi th, El aine M. 1999 “The Activism of Mary McLeod Bethune, 1980a “Bethune, Mary McLeod,” in Notable 1936-1945,” in The Legacy of African American Women: The Modern Period, American Leadership for the Present A Bi ographi cal Di ctionary, ed. by and the Future: Essays on African Barbara Sicherman and Carol Hurd American Leadership Past and Present, Green with Ilene Kantrov and Harriette ed. by Bernard E. Powers, Jr. Walker. Cambridge, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C.: Association for the and London, England: The Belknap Study of Afro-American Life and History. Press of Harvard University Press. Sterne, Emma Gelders 1980b “Mary McLeod Bethune and the National 1957 Mary McLeod Bethune. New York: Youth Administration,” in Clio Was a Knopf Press. Woman: Studies in the History of American Women, ed. by Mabel E. Wilson, Charles Reagan, and Ferris, William. Deutrich and Virginia C. Purdy. Eds. Washington, D.C.: Howard University 1989 Encyclopedia of Southern Culture. Press. Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and London, Engl and: The Uni versi ty of North Carolina Press.

153 PREPARERS AND CONSULTANTS

National Capitol Parks East John Hale, Superintendent Diann Jacox, Site Manger Karen Taylor-Goodrich, Assistant Superintendent Susan McElrath, Former Archivist, Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS

National Capitol Region Sal l y Bl umenthal , Deputy Associ ate Regi onal Di rector Patrick Gregerson, Chief of Planning John Parsons, Associate Regional Director Gary Scott, Regional Historian Pam West, Regi onal Curator

Denver Service Center Karen Arey, Landscape Architect, formerly Denver Service Center Margaret DeLaura, Community Planner Christy Fischer, Writer/Editor Betty Janes, Project Manager Philip Thys, Visual Information Specialist Harlan Unrau, Cultural Resource Specialist Terri Urbanowski, Job Captain, Landscape Architect and Planner

Harpers Ferry Center Jack Spinnler, Interpretive Planner

Federal Advisory Commission Dr. Brandi Creighton Dr. Bettye Collier-Thomas* Dr. Ramona H. Edelin Dr. Sheila Flemming Dr. Bettye Gardner* Dr. Brenda Girton-Mitchell Dr. Dorothy I. Height Dr. Janette Hoston-Harris Dr. Savannah C. Jones (deceased) Mr. Eugene Morris Dr. Frederick Stielow* Dr. Rosalyn Terborg-Penn* Mrs. Romaine B. Thomas Ms. Barbara Van Blake Mrs. Bertha S. Waters

* Commission members serving as members of planning team for the General Management Plan

154 INDEX access, 12, 15, 18, 32, 34, 35, 41, 42, 43, furnishings, 10, 18, 32, 39, 46, 47, 48, 52, 46, 47, 49, 50, 51, 52, 60, 73, 76, 77, 86, 69, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 96, 113, 89, 90, 92, 100, 106, 107, 111, 118 114, 118 advisory commission, 3, 9, 11, 16, 17, 21, hazardous materials, 20, 21 117 historic landscape, 25, 70 archival acquisitions, 32, 36, 39 interpretive theme(s), 10, 11, 34, 46, 52 archival collections, 4, 11, 14, 17, 18, 25, issues, v, 17, 18, 29, 36, 46, 56, 57, 58, 71, 26, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 39, 41, 46, 47, 48, 75, 85, 111, 117 49, 52, 72, 73, 77, 78, 85, 87, 88, 89, 90, landscape, 18, 48, 51, 52, 70, 76, 81, 85, 91, 96, 104, 106, 110, 113, 114, 115 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 99, 104, 112, 113, archives, 3, 9, 15, 17, 29, 30, 32, 41, 42, 46, 114, 115, 118 50, 67, 71, 73, 74, 77, 78, 85, 86, 107, laws and policy/policies, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 108, 109, 110, 111, 113, 116 15, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 44, 50, 60, 63, 75, Bethune Museum and Archives, 9, 30, 47, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 90, 105, 107, 67, 71, 73, 77, 78 111 Bethune- Cookman, 25, 56, 64, 65, 69, 118, Logan Circle Historic District, 4, 7, 22, 76, 119 81, 85, 87, 88, 90, 107 Black History National Recreation Trail, 24, National Archives for Black Women’s 81, 93, 94, 95, 97 History, 4, 11, 34, 47, 65, 67, 70, 71, 72 carriage house, 4, 9, 17, 18, 19, 20, 30, 34, National Association of Colored Women, 4, 38, 39, 41, 42, 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 66, 67, 10, 32, 56, 57, 58, 60, 66, 73, 119 70, 72, 76, 77, 78, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, National Council of Negro Women, 4, 5, 9, 90, 91, 92, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 106, 10, 11, 23, 30, 32, 36, 39, 46, 47, 57, 58, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 59, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69, 70, 71, 115, 118 72, 73, 78, 85, 119 carrying capacity, 16, 77, 107, 108 National Register of Historic Places, 4, 9, cost, 15, 38, 42, 50, 99, 109, 110 14, 22, 48, 83, 85, 86, 87, 91, 112 council house, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, National Youth Administration, 60, 63, 64 22, 29, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 39, 41, 42, 46, policy/policies, see law s and policy/ policies 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 59, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, research/researchers, 4, 14, 17, 25, 30, 32, 71, 73, 76, 77, 78, 81, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 34, 38, 47, 50, 52, 73, 77, 85, 87, 88, 90, 89, 90, 91, 92, 95, 96, 97, 100, 101, 102, 94, 104, 106, 107, 109, 110, 111, 113, 103, 104, 106, 107, 108, 110, 111, 112, 114, 116, 117 113, 114, 115, 116, 118 Schomburg Center, 25, 119 environmental consequences, 18, 79, 81, visitor experience, 3, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 84, 105 29, 32, 34, 35, 39, 42, 49, 52, 81, 93, 94, floodplain, 19 95, 96, 97, 98, 111, 114, 117 visual resource(s), 99, 100, 101, 103, 104, 113

155