CTEVELAND PARK

vol-.8, NO.2 NEWSLETTER OF THE CLEVELAND PARK HISTORICAL SOCIETY FALL 1994

Connecticut Avenue Shopping Area Spntced Up

By Sam Friedman, Community out the many potholes in the service ever, the merchants did succeed in get- Projecls Coorilinator road and the broken sidewalks and ting a loading zone in front of Brookville and Eleni Constantine, Presidenl disintegrating curbs that pose a hazard Supermarket and additional parking Cleaeland Park Historical Society to pedestrians-many of them senior spaces in the commercial area. Also, it citizens-who shop in the area. Mayor is now legal to park in front of the Kelly also saw the median strip be- Uptown Theatre on weekdays during If you haven't been shopping in tween the service road and the main non-rush-hour times. Cleveland Park's Connecticut Avenue Avenue with its weed-fi lled tree boxes, But the city has also changed the commercial area recently, you're in for damaged street light bases, and dishev- parkingregulations so that all metered va pleasant surprise. Over the surlrner, eled brick paving. spaces along Connecticut between Por- the efforts of merchants-and the city- Early in September, the service ter and Macomb require quarters on resulted in significant improvements road, sidewalk, and curbing ontheeast Saturdays. Formerly, we only had to on both sides of the Avenue. Much of side of Connecticut between Ordway feed the meters on the west side of this activity stems from revitalization and Macomb were repaired, the tree Connecticut on Saturdays; now it is efforts initiated two and three years boxes weeded, and mulch and the brick both sides. A benefit of this is that, ago by the Cleveland Park Historical paving rese t. Mr. Shipman reports, "We except for Sundays, tour buses can no Society; now individual merchants have come even had a street sweeper Continued onnextpage taken up the ball. They deserve our through." We thank the city and the thanks, support, and encouragement. mayo/s Ward 3 Constituent Services Coordinator Harriet Quinn for quickly Repaving and Repair responding to the neighborhood's pub. While many of us were away in Au- lic service needs. gust, Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly walked through the Connecticut Avenue com- Changes in Parking Regulations mercial area on a Saturday morning, Since March 1992, Cleveland Parkmer- asking merchants and neighbors what chants on Connecticut, led by Lou the areaneeded and what she could do. Statzer of Uptown Bakers, have tried to fim Shipman, rnnager of Brookville get the city to change the metering on Supermarket, walked the mayor along the Avenue in order to provide more the east side of the Avenue from parking. The effort has taken much Ordway to Macomb Street, pointing longer than expected. The merchants' goal was to simplify the metering in the commercial area and have half-hour- only metered parking on a short por- tion of the service road, between Macomb and CVS Pharmacy, to allow for brief stops. The half-hour parking still has not been implemented. According to Charles Whalen of the city's Bureau of The Macomb Sheet Playgrormd is an active Parking Services, there is a backlog for haven for Cleveland Park children and o0rers new parking signs such as these. How- from all over the city. See story, page 7. CLEVELAND PARK VOICES

Connecticut Avenue Spruced Up Historic Preservation Resources in Washington Continued from page L By Sam Friedman longer park along the Avenue in Cleve- land Park, as they previously could do In pursuit of information about tions for exterior work on individually on the east side on Saturdays. building permits, comprehensive plan- landmarked properties and properties ning and zoning changes, technical ex- in historic districts, such as Cleveland Stseetscape Improvements pertise, funding, and landmark desig- Park. HPRB also designates properties Several merchants on the west side of nations, there are several citywide and to be listed on the D.C. Inventory of Connecticut in Cleveland Park have national organizations that serve as re- Historic Places and recommends to the improved the streetscape with new sources, educators, advocates, and ac- D.C. State Preservation Office which of plantings and maintenance of existing tivists for history, preservation, and those properties should be nominated ones. planning in Washington, D.C. They to the National Register of Historic Between the sidewalk and the Av- may not be household names, but their Places. enue in front of 3520 Connecticut, the work provides many benefits to Cleve- D.C. S tate Historic Preservation Of- long tree box stretching fromthe apron land Park and other neighborhoods, fice. In the states, including our neigh- of the firehouse to the Metro entrance is and they deserve our support. Here are bors Maryland and Virginia, the State now a lush garden of pachysandra some you might want to know about. Historic Preservation Office is respon- ground cover, plus five pots of annu- D.C. Historic Preservation Divi- sible for all National Register programs als, including pink impatiens. The sion. The historians, architectural his- "Section 106" review of historic prop building front itself has been terraced torians, and archaeologists of the His- erties owned by the Federal govern- and lined impa- with planters of red toric Preservation Division serve as staff ment (to ensure thatexterior workcom- tiens. A plaque in the curbside garden to three D.C. government entities: the plies with theNational Historic Preser- reads: "These landscape improvements D.C. State Historic Preservation Officer, vation Act), and the administering of have been graciously created by Mr. & the Mayor's Agent, and the Historic Federal funds available for grant and Mrs. D.E. Tsintolas." Credit for these Preservation Review Board. For infor- historic survey activities.In the Dstrict, enhancements goes to Steve Tsintolas, mation about additions or alterations Robert Mallett, GtyAdministrator, is the whose family owns the building. Steve to buildings in the Cleveland Park State Historic Preservation Officer. participated intheCleveland Park Main Historic District, contact Stephen The Historical Societyof Washing- Street Committee which, spurred by Callcott, 614H Street NW, Room 305, ton, D.C. (HSW) promotes the study of .:- CPFIS, explored the possibility of mer- Washington DC; 202-727 -7360. local history through programs, publi- chants, commercial property owners D.C. Historic Preservation Ir.eview cations, a research library, and exhibi- and neighbors working together to re- Board. Under D.C. law, every building tions. Housed in the Christian Heurich vitalize Cleveland Park's commercial permit issued for a landmarked prop Mansion near Dupont Circle, HSW has areas. erty or in an historic district must pass collected items illuminating local D.C. Further south, Yanni's Greek through preservation review. The D.C. history and encourages use by research- Taverna at the corner of Connecticut Historic Preservation Review Board ers. For information on membership, and Ordway has created a street gar- (HPRB) is a city agency and the review prograrns, or donatingor working with den around its outdoor seating area, body that has regulatory control in the research collections, contact HSW, 1307 with a lattice fence and pink and red District for building permit applica- Continued onbackpage geraniums and miniafure evergreens planted in white flowerboxes, pots and urns. Maintenance flowers, low-growing evergreens and In front of Uptown Vision next to At Starbucks Coffee next to Uptown a small tree, placing pavers for people the Uptown Theatre, the prototype tree Vision, manager Amy Tuttle partici to walk across the tree box, and then box planted in 1992by apartnership of pates in a "Green Sweep" program in- mulching to cover the soil. In early merchants and CPHS's Streetscape stituted by the company's environmen- September after several months of wear Committee is now being maintained tal group, the "Green Team." Every and tear, Chris had a larger oak tree by Steven L. Schneid of Uptown Vision weekend a Starbucks location is cleaned planted, along with new evergreens and Rodney Allenof the Uptown The- by five or six people, referred to as and marigold plants, and fresh mulch atre. Dr. Schneid planted marigolds partners, from different Starbucks cof- added. Chris has also planted mari- there in the spring and, at the end of feehouses. The partners clean trash in a golds around the miniature evergreens September, planted chrysanthemums two-block radius around the store. Re- in the concrete planters in front of the in all the tree boxes on the west side of cently, partners from the Dupont Circle small parking lot at Connecticut and the Avenue from the theater down to Starbucks came up to Cleveland Park Newark, donated several years ago by Supercuts. Rodney Allen of the Up for a "Creen Sweep." Amy estimates Thos. D. Walsh Inc., which opens onto town has been cutting the grass in the that this site will have a "Green Sweep" the parking lot. tree boxes since the late spring. every six weeks. in addltion, several merchants otl- As thisissueof Voices wentto press, Chris Hughes of Ireland'sFourProv- both sides of Connecticut, such as fim more colorful new plantings were spot- inces, a few doors further south, took on Shipman of Brookville, have faithfully ted in front of 34:32Connecticut, to the ttre tree box in frontof FourProvinces in watered the trees planted in front of north of the post office. latespring,plantingmarigolds and other their stores by the city and CPHS. CLEVELAND PARK VOICES

she lived on arrival in Washington dur- fwnC^ne gort ing wartime,in7942. Gilpin was born in Brownsburg, Vir- ginia, on ApilZl, 1916-under the sign Qersonaliaos of Taurus. '1'm as strong believer in the horoscope," she says. "Taurus has been C. Walker very helpful to me." An only child- Gilpin "so far ag | fu1gw/'-she was raised by her grandmother and an aunt. After By Jean van der Tak high school in Wheeling WestVirginia, where she moved at age 15, she went to You're sure to have noticed Gilpin West Virginia State College, graduat- 1940 a in Walker if you've seen her in our Con- ing in with degree sociology. (She's necticut Avenue shopping area. She's proud of the award she won at the handsome African American her 50th anniversary class reunion, in worrnn with the big smile and hearty 1990.) Her grandmother encouraged handshake, ready to greet all newcom- her pursuit of a degree. "She wasilliter- ers to Cleveland Park, and oldtimers ate and always said she didn't want too. anyone around her without an educa- "I guess I'm self-appointed," she tion." Sociology was an apt choice for has "always says. Even since her threeyearsaspresi- someone who been inter- dent of the Cleveland Park Citizens ested in people and social problems Association ended inlune, "I still go up and how to cope with them." Cilpin years graduate in so- and down and welcome the new shop did two of work Gilpin Walker keepers." During her presidenry, the cial work at Howard University when Association won the D.C. Federation of she got to Washington. "I didn't finish, did door-to-door selling-greeting I cards, Craft, Book, Fuller Civic Associations' 1991 award forOut- but I did well while was there." Child World "Blacks the Products ("an all-black company, not standing Civic Association. She herself were at the bottom of job Brush, twon the Federation's 1991 Outstand- totem pole" in the Washington Fuller wNch was all-white"). '-'ing Afro-American Delegate Award market of the 1940s, she recalls. She When widowed after only 11 years of and its 1992 award for Outstanding first worked part-time in a Department marriage, she realized str6 naa to earn Female Delegate. She was the of the Interior cafeteria. "That's all I more. A neighbor, a counselor at Association's delegate to the citizens could get. They'd say, You're too higtrly Dunbar High School, suggested substi- 'We a long advisory group of the Second Police educated' or don't have a place for tute teaching. That began career you.'Butat the same time, whites were as a substitute and long-term "tempo- District's Sector 3, and first black secre- English, history, tary and vice president of that group. being employed." Many black women ra4l' teacher, teaching even social psychology at Dunbar and She attracted a stellarlist ofspeakers- worked as charwomen, but still local university presidents, educators, "drersed fashionably," she notes. At many other schools. She especially re- politicians, historians, police and gov- theWeather Bureau where she worked calls her time at Boysf unior High fthool in D.C. The 50 ernment officials-to the Association's next, there was no cafeteria-to avoid Southwest boys there- cases"; many on probation- meetings, held the first Saturday morn- racial mingling-and a black woman all "court "with a very prominent pb" had to confronted her with the unruly condi- ing of the month, October to fune, in the library. place her desk in the hall. tions D.C. teachers face now. Gilpin Cilpin Walker gets involved wher- Gilpin met her husband while work- was later gratified when she derribed a radio ever she is. In her church, Simpson- ing in his photostatic lab at theWeather this experience on call-in show Hamline United Methodist on 16th Bureau. They had two daughters. and another caller phoned to say he'd Street, she has been chairperson of Glenda, the elder, lives with her mother been at the school and credited the to his life; Church and Society and of Race and at3446 Connecticut, where her former teachers for helping change husband, Pickett, once he was now a policeman. Religion, a layreader, and delegate to a George was conference on drug and alcohol abuse building rrnnager and directed Cilpin She reports that she is still on the list in Switzerland. At 3445 Connecticut, to a vacant apartment there when her of D.C. substitute teachers. And in renewed the apartment building at Connecticut rented Fairmont Street home was sold. August, she the notarypublic has 1940s, and Ordway where she's lived since Shekeepsinclose touch withhergrand- license she held since the for 1979, she organized the now-annual children by Glenda-Sakena, who at- when a realtor she worked briefly Christmas party and the tenants'asso- tended |ohn Eaton and is now a UDC needed a notary, offered to tutor her, ciation. In her previous 17 years on freshman, and twin brothers, Marcus and she passed the test. lFairmont Street NW, she started the and Marcellus. Younger daughter Gilpindirovered manyof her speak- block club and was president of the Gilda, who has never married, gradu- ers for the Cleveland Park Citizens - Pleasant Plains Civic Association. It's ated from Connecticut College and is a Association meetings among WRC 980 been like that ever since she was presi- realtor, with "abeautifulhome" inOxon talk-show guests. "I made sure I got the dent of Midway Hall, the 500-girl dor- Hill, Maryland. While the girls were small, Gilpin mitory at 25th and Oklahoma NE where Continued on page 5 CLEVELAND PARK VOICES

of emotional stock" in the shop, sh, o ur o r fw o? s ngLnef ers recalls understandingly. But she persel-. vered with the goal she found intellec- "6b66 tually demanding-to manage a suc- cessf ul independent bookshop in Cleve- Janie Hulme and the Cleveland Park land Park. A first step was to change the im- Bookshop pression of a religious reading room (the biblical name Simeon's had had an By Amanda MacKenzie effect) to one more contemporary. With the help of neighborsDonna and Burkey Belser, who run a commercial art and While her friends playing her favorite books: " Middlemarch and were with advertising firm, Janie settled on her dolls or soldiers, young ]anie P ortrait of a Iady,hands down-the most playful, yet serious logo featuring Presi- essential, Hollinshead was working with a beautifully crafted literature dent Grover Cleveland; in the 1880s he retailer's zeal on "book sales," her in the English language." The same brought his bride, Francis Folsome, to "readers"' interests, and the creation of firmness is apparent in her determina- summer at Redtop, the "cottage" then new opportunities for them through tion to provide qualitlr resources in her at the corner of 36th and Macomb. Clas- literature. After a discussion of their business. ]anie is the fourth owner of sic maroon and dark green were chosen needs and the news of the day, pretend Cleveland Park's neighborhood for smart new window designs and customers were sent off happily with bookshop and she treasures its past, signage. their carefully wrapped chosen books. the chance to develop it for today's The business of books at the Cleve- Today, Janie Hulme, a Cleveland requirements, and to fulfill her dreams land Park Bookshop only begins with Park a through her clientele's desires. She ten- resident, sits comfortably in stocking 1 0,000 books.{assics, the cur- wicker chair in the Cleveland Park derlyrecalls how evenchildren, among rent, the rare, and a wide range of the Bookshop, where real customers- enthusiastic fans, helped move all the expected and unexpected in literature. store's neighbors, authors, students, teach- contents in 1993 from Macomb janie says she is "just the proprietor; it is ers, whole families and tourists- Street to the present site at 3416 Wis- the neighborhood's shop.I listen con- come to browse, discuss their needs consin Avenue. And she expresses deep stantly to what customers want and and the news, and select material concern for the challenge in protecting how they define their tastes." That cli.- for new opportunities through lit- the privacy of our many prominent entele, she says, "is fairly intellectual, neighbors erature. Blessed with humor, sharp who seek both anonymity with a literary bent " and diverse--aca- intelligence and sensitivity, fanie and the pleasure of browsing or chat- demics and fans of literature, young responds adamantly when asked ting in a village center. professionals, Foreign Service officers, The shop's general standards and retirees, and "more authors per square philosophy have changed little since it foot than lawyers. Ourbusiness requires opened afterWorld War II onWiscon- care, tact, and a protective understand- GEVE- sin as SIMEON'S, named for its founder. ing of different needs. I suppose if s like The second owner, Ruth Chatfield, running a bar. It is a wonderful busi- moved it around the corner onto ness!" Macomb. later, under the proprietor- Competition? It is not felt keenly ship of Frances Swift, it became the here. "The presence of Crown did two PARK CLEVELAND PARK BOOKSHOP. things. It opened up bookstores to be In search of a new calendar over user-friendly, and frees '1.990, it usup to cover New Yea/s of fanie noticed a what's needed rather than everything B@K curious 'Tor Sale" sign on the shop's available." Of other nearby indepen- door. After a phone call-"just to see dent bookshops, |anie says, "I cheer- what it was all about"-she felt her SHOP fully send people to The Cheshire Cat entrepreneurial spirit rising. Frances and Politics & Prose" for topics "they're Swift, thebeloved owner, had recently good at and that we don't have a call died in an auto accident in Europe and for." her sister was looking for someone to Not thatJanie is limitingher scope; con tinue her work and warm, welcom- the Cleveland Park Bookshop has a sub- ing style. Janie and her husband fay, a stantial children's book section among lawyer and amateur computer whiz, others. Poetry Readings take place on decided she couldn't walk away from Wednesday evenings, attended by regu- the answer to her dream. Their chil- dren, Eliza and Max, were now of school age, and |ay would help all he could. |anie found it a challenge to meet theexpectations of Frances Swift's loyal The bmkshop's playful cussion book at a 10 percent dirount logo feahrres customers, who were not ready to see President Grover Cleveland, who summered and pin the group if you wish. The talk change of any kind. "They owned a lot nearby in the 1880s. is held over Starbucks coffee and led by CLEVELAND PARK VOICES

Mona Kanin, the store manager, a writer was good training for the bookshop. -;and former librarian. Instead of a full salary, she received fanie says she wants her staff to be tickets to operas and concerts and invi- both touchingbooks and in touch with tations to receptions.Similarly,she now customers. "I want to be sure that we're takes her "salary' from the shop in reading books, not about books; that books. Coming to Washington in 1980, I'm getting to know my customers; that she worked first at the Kennedy Center searches for a wanted book here or in in children's productions; one of her the United Kingdom are successful. The colleagues was Maurice Sendak of bookshop reaches out to local book children's books and "Magic Flute" clubs and schools. It is prepared to scenery fame. Then came stints in the match discounts because it wants to education and current affairs depart- perform that service for neighbors. ments of PBS, staying home on 34th Quite possibly, students will learn the Street with her infant children, and value of a neighborhood bookstore." working as assistant director of the This would be a good place for National Cathedral Association, over- them to learn because it is a browsing seeing public relations, writing, pro- store, with chairs in comfy corners, en- ducing a newsletter, and "learning what ticing stacks, and modest music. Among it meant to be a woman in business." the traditional offerings are special ex- Four-and-a-half years after em- tras: decorative posters of Picasso, barking on her latest interprise, fanie Louise Brooks, f ames Dean and others; and Cleveland Park reap rich rewards "cards of the week"; and at the very from her specialized care and creative back of the store, a discreet selection of retailing. The shop's clientele swells as unusual notecards, and el- well-known authors and readers are stationery, Janie l{ulme egant wrapping papers. The latter are offered a warm, low-key welcome to highly favored by a suburban clientele preserve their privacy and visitors of that shops for armloads of these spe- all ages stay to read, meet, and look cialties. about in easy comfort. She's come a -J fanie'sbackgroundexplainsmuch long, successful way, but fanie Hulme of her focused dynamism. After a child- continues to hone the product and hood in Philadelphia, with two broth- hopes you'll stop by--$ringing your ers and a fantasy bookstore, she stud- cup of coffee if you like-to share your ied literature and music. As a classi- ideas. callytrained jazz pianist and composer "of sorts," she went to Middlebury Ananda MacKcnzie, a 26 -y ear rcsident o I Cbw- College, where she met her husband- hnd Park and CPHS Board tnember, is a con- to-be. Whilehe studied law,sheworked sultant in ilewlopment, public relations, and at G. Shirmer, music publishers, which information.

Gilpin Walker signed up the probation officers; some in warm weather, where "the many Continued from page 3 of themhad nevervoted." She hascam- nationalities we have would come in paigned for many local candidates, in- their native attire and have interna- phone numbers," and so lined up the cluding doing commercials on WOL. tional dishes along with American." likes of Howard University's archivist, An absorbing current project is the Gilpin says she still senses "quite a the head of D.C. Traffic Adjudication, book she's writing on courtesy. "I was bit of bigotr/' in Cleveland Park. But and radio commentator and D.C. histo- reared ina family thatbelieved inbeing she works hard to mitigate that, for rian ]ohn Daly. courteous to people, we called it man- example, making exFa sure that new She regrets that such speakers draw ners." Her sources are interviews she's shop people with a poor grasp of En- less of an audience than they merit. had with school officials, engineers, glish understand they're welcome. "People are missing a treat," she says of church members, the postman, pedes- We're lucky to have you, Gilpin, and the often sparse attendance at the Citi trians, street people-"I've been well look forward to many more years of zens Association's perhaps not-well- received." your presence on the Avenue as "Mrs. publicized meetings. "They say they're About Cleveland Park, Gilpin says WelcomeWalker." looking for information about the city, she likes the convenience----close to but then they don't come." stores, transportation, the library, res- lean oan der Tak is Editor o/ Voices. Cilpin'scivic-mindedness,she says, taurants. She wishes there were more -/ was instilled by her aunt. "She always police on foot patrol. She was instru- emphasized voting," even when blacks mental in getting three patrol officers had to pay poll taxes. Gilpin herself, in along Connecticut, but now there is a iob at the D.C. Superior Court, saw to only one. She would also like to see an it that people registered to vote. "I "international type of affair," outdoors CLEVELAND PARK VOICES

i1 I

\

Built in Cleveland Park from 1907 through the 1920s in a variety of styles, semi-detached house require extra care in planning renovations in order to preserve the special harmony between the two adjoining houses. Drawing byJohn Wiebenson.

except for the definitive common wall. olrchLTrpWrac What they all do share is a special harmony between both houses. Serni- Help Beautify the Ordway- C,orncr detached houses can be found through- Porter-34th-Street Triangle out the Cleveland Park Historic Dis- trict, influenced by the Anne, Queen This prominent triangle along Craf tsman, Georgian Colonial Revival, By Cherrie Anderson the 34th Street corridor, Spanish Colonial Revival, Tudor Re- iust vival, and English Cottage styles. In south of Porter, could be beau- Semi-detached designing appropriate renovations or tified with relatively little in- additions, owners should study the put. Three dogwoods and half a dozen azaleas, added to the This is the tenth example to appear in style descriptions which most closely houses. But just as existing cherry trees, would Voices ol the house styles to be featured in a fit their importantly, plannd CPHS Guide to Claxhnd ParkHouse they should study their adjoining make a colorful hillside splash Stylcs. Author Chenie Andersn is an interior houses. in the heart of Cleveland ilesigner. Illustrator lohn Wiebenson is an As originally designed, each semi- Park-with the cherry blos- architect. detached pair was a balanced whole, soms followed by the fapa- with form, materials, details, and col- nese dogwood (which blooms Although they do not constitute a ors carefully matched or coordinated. later), and then the azaleas. single, coherent style, semidetached Ideally, whatever is changed in one For summer color, we plan to houses require a special note in this should be considered in the context of plant black-eyed Susans. series. They were built in Cleveland both. This presents an additional chal- If you are interested in Park from 1907 through the 1920s with lenge for owners of semi-detached helping with this neighbor- a wealth of diverse materials and de' houses to work closely with their neigh- hood beautification project, applied to their basic form. Usu- tails bors, but it creates lwice the rewird please call fane Biltchik (a ally the form is a compact, rectangular when the special harmony between the CPHS Board member) at 363- massing, with one conunon wall and a two houses is preserved. 2581. If you'd like to make a mansard roof with dormers sur- Examples of semi-detached houses donation, send your check to mounted bya flat metal roof. Oftenthe can be seen at 3193 and 3195 Porter the Cleveland Park Historical two pined houses are bilaterally sym- (English Cottage Style),3038 and 3040 Society, P.O. Box 4862, Wash- metrical. However, some striking ex- Rodman (Tudor), and 3506 and 3508 amplesdon't even share thisbasic form, 36th Street (Spanish Colonial). ington DC 20008. CLEVELAND PARK VOICES

Macomb Street Playground

By Maria Constantine

Since the time, more than a century ago, when Cleveland Park was called "Pretty Prospects," this neighborhood has been a green oasis in Washington- and a haven for children. People have traditionally moved to the area in order to bring up children. The idea of a playground was part of this view. The Macomb Street Play- ground----on the north side of Macomb just west of 34th Shreet-was built to allow resident children not only to play among themselves but also to meet Macomb Street Playground has been a community "meeting and greeting" ground for over 50 years. other children who came from else- The Macomb Playground is the fo- The grounds are divided into the where in the city to play. It works, says cal point for many get-togethers, in- small children's area and the big D.C. Council member ]im Nathanson, cluding the Halloween Party and the children's grounds. While structured ground, asabig "meetingand greeting" fohn Eaton Block Party, held this Octo- activities occupy most of the play- among children. This situation repre- ber for the 25th year. In an interview ground, there are always facilities for sents only a small change from that of with fohn Eaton students a few years casual use, includinga field, basketball Pretty Prospects and what it was meant ago, neighbor Sally Craig said of the courts, and the small children's swings, to be. Children still congregate here Block Party: "Ifls really the one big slide, and sandbox. These casual uses from all over thecity to play; the differ- event that pulls together the whole of the playground serve neighborhood - ince lies with the iircreased and more neighborhood." The Block Party origi- residents, while the playground also - structured resources available. nated with and benefits nearby fohn gives children from all over the city a Macomb Playground was a play area Eaton Elementary School, but Sally in- chance to participate in supervised and long before it was an official city facil- sisted, "It's not just an Eaton event. It's structured events. ity. Early in the century, a certain Mr. the time of year when you're back from Periodicall/, the Macomb Play- Olmsted bought most of what is now vacation and things are just starting ground is re+valuated by the District upper Macomb Street. He had a philan- and you know the Block Party is the government to see whether or not it is thropic heart, apparently, and allowed place you're going to see everybody worth keeping open. Recently, that children free access to his property, you haven't seen all summer. We scrutiny of the D.C.operated facility including the forest that stood on the live right across the street and it's has become particularly intense and, in site of the present playground. The for- thrilling to see the playground fill line with its efforts to cut costs, the city est was cleared during the 1930s, and in uP every year." government is considering eliminating the 1940s, Mr. Olmsted laid down a The Macomb Playground and fohn fuanita Peterson's positionand leaving rubber mat for children to play base- Eaton have worked hand in hand on the playground unstaffed. It is a little ball on. (Fifty years later, children many of these volunteer events. f uanita playground-in official lingo, a still have baseball lessons on the same Peterson, the present playground di- "smaller facility''- and needs more of field.) The rubber had decayed by 1948 rector, finds it very easy to cooperate a defense as a valid operation for D.C. and was removed. About two years with the volunteers. It seems there are than the bigger playgrounds. But it is later, homeowners wives of around the decidedly both formal and casual fu nc- exactly its littleness that is our neighborhood petitioned the D.C. gov- tions in the Macomb Playground. playground' s greatest asset . It presents had land, ernment, which bought the The playground is formally run in a a relatively quiet play area, surrounded to put in an official playground. systematic fashion, with activities or- by the remnants of the forest, near the Already there was some equipment ganized for different seasons, depend- top of a hill cooled by breezes in sum- and a supervisor. The women orga- ing on what parents see the need for. In mer. It is a "Pretty Prospects" in the nized moneymaking events and solic- the summer, summer camp activities middle of the city, with a safe ballpark, ited the city government to allocate for children ages six to 12 start at nine in sandbox, slide and swings, guarded by funds for the basketball courts and the the morning and go till four. There are oaks and ivy. small building that stand today. The movies and arts and crafts in the little yearly Halloween Party was inaugu- -- house and trips to the theater and the Maria Constantine's t'amily moaed to Cleue- rated at the same rime. It is not surpris- Wilson High fthool pool. During the hnd Park when she was and ler skter was ing, given the rate of development in four school year, the after-school program, nine. Now her sister's children, Zoe and Ckn, Cleveland Park in the 1950s, that these from 3:30 till6:30, includes indoor and continue tlu tndition ot' playing in tlv Maanb were the years families began to insist outdoor games-soccer, baseball, vol- Phyground. on a formal playing area for children. leyball. CLEVELAND PARK VOICES

Historic Preservation Resources ticular, the historic Federal city. It dues, corporation and foundation Continued from page 2 helped establish the National Capital grants, endowment income, and mer-,-, Planning Commission in 1924. Today, chandise sales. About 22 percent is a New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washing- as an advocate and activist, the Com- matching grant from Congress, ton DC 2N35; 202-785-206. mittee works through seven subcom- through the Deparbnent of the Inte' D.C. Preservation League. Saving mittees: planning and urban design; rior. For information, contact National landmarks is what made the D.C. Pres- zoning; transportation; parks and natu- Trust Headquarters, 1785 Massachu- ervation League famous: the Old Post ral resources; housing; membership; and setts Ave. NW, Washington DC 20035; Office, the Willard Hotel, Warner The- historic preservation. In the Dstrict, the 202-6734741. atre, Greyhound Bus Terminal. Committee advocates historic preserva- Founded in 1971 as Don't Tear It Down, tion and compliance with preservation join the Cleveland Park League its have the and membership lawc For rrpre informatiory write to Corrr Historical Society kept these structures standing as living mittee of 100, Yost House, 1002 Peruesyl- testimonials to Washington's rich ar- vaniaAve. SE, Washington DC 2mm. The Cleveland Park Historical Society, chitectural and cultural history. As National Trust for Historic Preser- founded in 1985, achieved its initial public educator, surveyor, and designer vation, chartered by Congress in 1949, aims to have our neighborhood de' and shaper of local policy, the D.C. is a nonprofit organization with more clared a historic district and protect the sections Preservation League is Washington's than 250,000 members. As leader of the low-rise commercial along Connecticut and Wisconsin Avenues. premier advocate for historic preserva- national preservation movement, is it Now we are focusing on increas- tion.It is a private not-for-profit corpo committed to saving America's diverse ration whose activities are made pos- ing neighborhood interest in historic historic environments and preserving preservation and community projects sible by the financial support of con- and revitalizing the livability of com- Iike helping to revitalize our shopping cerned individuals, corporations, and munities nationwide. It has seven re- areas and replanting trees. foundations. To learn more, contact gional offices, owns 18 historic house If you are not a current member, D.C. PreservationLeague, 1511 KStreet museurns, and works with thousands please pin us now. Membership in- NW, Suite 739, Washington DC 20005; of local community groups in all 50 cludes our newsletter, Cleveland Park Voices, special pro- 202-737-1597. states. It publishes the bimonthly maga- and invitations to grams. Send your check for pay- Committee of 100 was founded in zine, Historic Preseroation, and a $05, 1923 and has served ever since as the able to Cleveland Park Historical Soci- monthly newspaper. Most of the Na- et, to: principal forum on planning for the tional Trust's budget comes from pri- National Capital region and, in par- vate sources, including membership Barbara and Dick Jorgensen CPHS Membership Co

Cleveland Park Historical Society NON-PROFIT Newsletter Editor ORGANZATION U.S. POSTAGE Street N.W. c/o2957 Newark PAID Washington, D.C. 2(n08 WASHINGTON DC PERMITNO. I4I5