✯ Capitol* Capitol Hill Hi Restorationll Restoration Society Society * ✯

www.chrs.org October 2012 11th Street Bridges: Openings and Closings

By Beth Purcell and Shauna Holmes

hase One ($300 million) of the P11th Street Bridge project is 85% complete, with the project on budget, on time, and expected to be substantially completed by the end of the year. The new local bridge is scheduled to open in December, and its overlooks and adjacent fishing piers should open in 2013. The new outbound bridge is open, and the new ramp from southbound DC-295 T eam le v enth S treet B ridge P ro j ect DDOT/E courtesy image onto the inbound bridge opened mid- summer. The old outbound bridge is being demolished, and the concrete and steel from the old bridge will be recycled. Now Phase Two ($90 million), the project completion phase, has been launched. Its focus is primarily in the Capitol Hill/Navy Yard area, where feet. Some of the fill will be recycled it will further improve connections concrete from the old outbound Also in this issue between the SE/SW Freeway and the bridge, and the material piled on the ARTICLES new 11th Street Bridges and reconnect south side of the westbound freeway September Preservation Café...... 3 local streets west of the near the Marine Barracks is also part Hill East—Wardman Rowhouses..... 6 River. This phase includes closing of the fill that will be used to create Hill East—Early Speculators...... 8 and demolishing the existing stretch Southeast Boulevard. Out and About with CHRS...... 11 of the SE/SW Freeway between 8th Constructing this boulevard will COLUMNS Street SE and and then bring major changes for many Capitol President’s Column...... 2 replacing it with a new Southeast Hill drivers. The illegal shortcut Historic Preservation Briefs...... 4 Boulevard between Barney Circle and from 17th Street SE to the westbound CHRS Supporters...... 10 11th Street and new connections with SE/SW Freeway will be phased out LOOKING AHEAD the freeway. This freeway stretch is beginning in September and will Preservation Conference...... 4 now below grade compared to the be completely closed by November. October Preservation Café...... 5 11th Street Bridge, so to transform Many drivers love the illegal shortcut Fun Fall Auction...... 7 it to an at-grade boulevard, fill will Mark Your Calendar...... 12 be added to raise its level about 20 Continued on page 10 President’s Column: Celebrate and Advocate

By Janet Quigley

’ve been doing some research on 1848. Chester Arthur lived at the Some changes are positive, some Ithe area of our next house tour, a massive Butler House at 3 B Street, inevitable, and some detrimental. footprint just south and east of the US SE. The Fairfax House at 235 Second The key is that the local community, Capitol, and came across a delightful Street, SE was built by a Navy not external authorities, must booklet written in 1960 by Mrs. Captain, son-in-law of the builder of determine the future. The first citizen Mapheus Smith of the Capitol Hill the USS Constitution. Its beautiful associations in the District formed in Southeast Neighborhood Association chandeliers were featured on several 1887 and have been advocating for called “Places and Persons on house tours. The Bell School at 2nd their communities ever since. It is a Capitol Hill.” It shared a neighborly and D Streets SE was started in continuous effort. The Capitol Hill perspective on some of Washington’s 1807 by freed slaves who worked as Southeast Neighborhood Association oldest addresses. caulkers at the Navy Yard. had a slogan in the 1960s which still For example, according to the Presidents. Old Ironsides. rings true today: “Bring it back alive.” booklet, in 1791 built Lafayette. I set out walking one The point was not to create a museum a house south of the Capitol, but it sunny afternoon to get a first-hand neighborhood, it was to celebrate the was in the path of the future New view of this history. What do all of diversity of architectural styles and Jersey Avenue and Pierre L’Enfant these locations have in common? personalities that make up the Hill. demolished it. Carroll appealed to Those of you familiar with the area So I say, celebrate and advocate! and got the last have guessed it by now: Every one of Kudos … laugh when he received restitution those buildings is gone. to rebuild the house a few blocks The Duddington property … Are in order for the CHRS Web east and L’Enfant was fired. The new is now four pleasant residential Redesign Team, which is tuning house became Capitol Hill’s finest blocks. The Bell School site is now up the website to make it more mansion, Duddington Manor, on the “X Park” (Providence Park). user friendly. Special thanks go to grounds bounded by First, Second, Butler House has been replaced by webmaster Donna Breslin for her E and F Streets, SE. Over 50 years Capitol grounds. Carroll Row is now thorough research and analysis of Presidents Washington, Adams, the Library of Congress Jefferson our web needs, and for her uncanny Jefferson, Madison and Jackson were Building. ’s lodging ability to put it into plain English entertained there. is now the Longworth House Office for the rest of the team. Look for the In 1801 Thomas Jefferson Building. Joseph Holt’s house is now updated site in early 2013. ✯ lodged in the 200 block of New the Cannon House Office Building. Jersey Avenue. He walked to his The site of Fairfax House is now inauguration and back. On the same the Library of Congress Madison block President Buchanan’s Secretary Building. CHRS Combined of War, Joseph Holt, entertained The inns and houses along New Presidents Grant and Hayes over the Jersey Avenue’s west side to D Street Federal Campaign years. The George Washington Inn in are now a Congressional parking lot. Please remember CHRS the 300 block of Avenue The view southeast from First and C as you designate your boasted white marble mantels, Streets, SE, across a scar of asphalt to payroll contributions in the a gift from Lafayette to General the point where row houses resume, is upcoming Combined Federal Washington for his North Capitol a particularly stark reminder of why Campaign (CFC #50747). Street house built in 1799. Visitors we must continue to engage planners Your contributions to CHRS welcome, said the booklet. 309, 311 at every opportunity. Thankfully, past are fully tax deductible and and 315 New Jersey Avenue were this void the community thrives with enable us to help preserve and built in 1848 by the Richards family, row after row of beautiful old houses, protect Capitol Hill’s historic which still owned # 311 in 1960. large trees and gardens. Our 2013 neighborhood’s architectural Congressman Abraham Lincoln Mother’s Day tour will feature some and residential character. and his family lived in the unit block of the best. of First Street, SE (Carroll Row) in

2 • CHRS News October 2012 Capitol Hill Restoration September Preservation Café: Society (CHRS) BOARD OF DIRECTORS Historic Window Restoration President...... Janet Quigley 1st Vice President. . . . . Michelle Carroll By Donna Breslin 2nd Vice President . . . . .Monte Edwards Secretary...... Doriann Fengler Treasurer...... Sharon Weiss At Large ...... Chuck Burger eil Mozer, owner of Mozer Mr. Mozer’s passion for the At Large ...... Lisa Dale Jones NWorks, Inc., shared his passion subject was evident when he sadly At Large ...... Drury Tallant and expertise for old windows at the noted that 12 million window sashes At Large ...... Maurice Walters Preservation Café on Wednesday, go into landfills every year. He At Large ...... Lisa Wilson At Large ...... Vacant September 19. In a professional collects old windows. He encouraged Immediate Past President. . . .Beth Purcell 45-minute presentation Mr. Mozer, CHRS members to call him whenever who has been a carpenter/builder they find a discarded window. His COMMITTEE CHAIRS for more than 25 years, explained recycling re-uses the old glass and Beth Purcell, Beyond the Boundaries Paul Cromwell, Budget & Administration why old windows are important wood and reduces landfill. Vacant, City Planning and just what it takes to undergo a There was a lively question and Barbara Eck, Communications professional restoration. answer period which included the Monty Edwards, Community Development “I want to debunk the myth following opinions: Elizabeth Nelson, Community Relations that new windows are better,” he Beth Purcell, Environment • Double-glazed windows are not Larry Pearl, Grants noted and added that sophisticated worth the effort and old window Shauna Holmes, Historic Preservation studies had shown that sealed older frames are not designed to Michelle Carroll, House & Garden Tour windows plus good storm windows Membership accommodate two panes. Michelle Carroll, are better than new, high-end Gary Peterson, Zoning replacement windows. Old windows • Storm windows have a 4–5 year NEWSLETTER were made from slow-growth trees, return on investment. Lisa Dale Jones and Kelly Vielmo, editors rather than the fast-growth used in • Usually plastic is used to insulate Jean Kohanek, design & layout modern windows. The old windows while the windows are in the WEBMASTERS stand up to the elements much better. shop; however, plywood can be Donna Breslin, Paul Cromwell, Scott Knight “A restored 100-year-old window used for security. will last another 100 years, so it’s OFFICE MANAGER • He will work with the worth the investment,” he said. Gloria Junge homeowner to do a ‘partial In addition, restored old restoration’ if a full job is To reach any of the above, please contact windows preserve the architectural the Society offices at (202) 543-0425 or unaffordable. via e-mail: [email protected]. character of the building, look and work as they were intended, and • He will help DYIers if he’s able. www.CHRS.org improve energy efficiency. • If a window is restored (as Celebrating more than 50 years helping These improvements do not opposed to replaced), no to preserve and protect Capitol Hill’s residential character, the Society is the come cheaply, as demonstrated in permit is needed. However, it largest civic association on Capitol Hill, an interesting video that detailed is advisable to notify the DC and one of the largest in the District the labor-intensive steps needed for Historic Preservation Office of Columbia. From the beginning, a full restoration. A restoration can (HPO) about the project. HPO the Society has played a key role in take 15 to 20 hours and cost between maintaining the diverse, residential can be contacted via email at character of our neighborhood. With $900 and $2,000 depending on wear [email protected] or your participation, we will continue and complexity. Mr. Mozer uses very by phone at (202) 442-7600. to do so for many years to come. high-end products and a method To start or renew a CHRS membership: that slow-cures the treatments and For more information, contact paints needed. He also employs zinc Neil Mozer at www.mozerworks.com On the web at www.CHRS.org or bronze weather-stripping which or (240) 398-7688. ✯ Call (202) 543-0425; choose option 2 decreases drafts and makes the Pick up a form at one of our meetings windows operate “with one finger.” Starting at just $25 per year for a single The work is done in his facility in membership, it’s a great deal. Takoma Park.

CHRS News October 2012 • 3 Historic Preservation Briefs

By Shauna Holmes

The One City Streetcar Line: H Street/Benning Road, NE Citywide Preservation Conference—October 12 On September 10 the DC This year’s conference offers interesting topics: Historic district streetscapes, Department of Transportation new development in/near historic districts, plans for Union Station and the (DDOT) requested public review 3rd Street tunnel/I-395, and zoning regulations re-write. For more details, and comments on its proposed visit www.dcpreservation.org or call (202) 783-5144. measures to address effects of the One City Streetcar Line on historic properties. CHRS, which supports as practicable for future lines, and recommended that the car barn’s improved public transportation retrofitting the One City Line with design should match in quality the and advocates thoughtful planning wireless technology and removing exemplary architectural standards of new transportation options, the OCS as soon as is feasible. set by its remaining predecessors on took advantage of the opportunity CHRS supports the April the Hill on East Capitol Street, NE, to provide comments and make 2012 design of the mid-line power and M Street, SE. Further, “It should additional recommendations. CHRS substation, recommending that “it be respectful of and compatible with agrees with DDOT and the DC State should sit as quietly as possible Spingarn High School’s style, design Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) at its location, blend in as well as and materials so that it looks like it that installation of the Streetcar possible with its surroundings, and belongs on the educational campus, Line’s overhead catenary system do nothing to call attention to itself.” rather than being thrust upon it.” (OCS), with its overhead arms and Since the substation will be in public The full CHRS comments, as wires, will have adverse effects on space meant for green space, CHRS well as DDOT’s Proposed Mitigation the L’Enfant Plan for the City of also supports an option to mount document and a map of the project’s Washington, which includes H Street, greenery on the substation walls, Area of Potential Effects, can be by introducing visual clutter in the as well as a proposed mitigation found at www.chrs.org by clicking on historic streetscape. CHRS also agrees measure requiring DDOT to the Transportation link on the home that locating a new car barn and investigate ways to avoid locating page under Community Issues. any above-ground power substations maintenance facility on the grounds Union Station of historic Spingarn High School and in public space for any future placing an above-ground mid-line streetcar lines. In June the Federal Railroad power substation within public space CHRS has opposed DDOT’s Administration (FRA) determined at 12th and H Streets, NE, will have choice to sacrifice part of the that proposed plans to put two holes adverse effects on historic properties. beautiful, historic Spingarn for escalators in the floor of Union While none of the proposed campus for the Line’s car barn and Station’s Main Hall would have an mitigation would actually maintenance facility, but DDOT adverse effect on the historic station. alleviate the visual effects of the eliminated all other alternatives. (To US Investco (USI), which holds the OCS, which we greatly regret, its credit, DDOT hopes to include building’s long-term sub-lease, wants CHRS wholeheartedly supports a transit training facility at the site to install the escalators to provide a mitigation measure for DDOT for DC students and is exploring improved access to lower-level to actively investigate alternative that possibility with the DC Public retail. Because FRA has oversight modes of propulsion—which CHRS Schools.) Since locating the facility for federally-owned Union Station, recommended in a November 2009 elsewhere has been ruled out, CHRS the project is undergoing federal resolution and has advocated to supports mitigation requiring historic preservation Section 106 DDOT for the last three years—and ongoing project design review by review. On September 10, the Union recommended that the project’s the SHPO for the car barn, as well Station Redevelopment Corporation Memorandum of Agreement as other project components causing (USRC) held a meeting for the (MOA) include a schedule for its adverse effects, to ensure that design Section 106 Consulting Parties, implementation, a commitment treatments are appropriate for the including CHRS, at which USRC to adopt wireless systems as soon historic context of the area. CHRS described its Preferred Alternative,

4 • CHRS News October 2012 about the Coalition). We also urge our members to look at the proposed design and related information and submit comments as well—it’s important for USRC and FRA to hear from as many Capitol Hill residents as possible about a project that

COURTESY eli z abeth nelson s COURTESY IMAGE would have a huge effect on a major landmark in our neighborhood. Project documents, information, and presentations can be found at http://usrcdc.com/106_assessment_ effect.php. This page has links to, among other things: • FRA’s Letter of Adverse Effect, which describes the project and its need and includes near its end a list of potential mitigation measures under consideration; Author Tim Krepp at a haunted site on Capitol Hill. • A detailed Draft Assessment of Join us for the October Preservation Café: Effects; • Diagrams showing the Area of Capitol Hill Haunts Potential Effects; and There’s a nip in the air; leaves are starting to change color; spider webs • The presentation slides shown at as big as trampolines are festooning the trees; giant sacks of candy the September 10, 2012, meeting, are appearing in the stores and kids are preparing to impersonate a which show project options that variety of ghouls—Halloween is coming! In the spirit of the season, were considered as well as the local author and tour guide, Tim Krepp, will read from his recently Preferred Alternative. published book, Capitol Hill Haunts, at the October Preservation Café. To cut to the chase, look at the Enjoy the creepy thrill of his “true” tales of ghosts and hauntings on presentation slides that were shown Capitol Hill, October 17 from 6:30–7:15 pm at Ebenezers Coffeehouse at the September 10 consultation (downstairs), 2nd and F Streets, NE. meeting. The Preferred Alternative slides begin with Slide #21 and continue from there. The penultimate discussed the project design and covered with LED lights that would slide lists some mitigation measures possible mitigation, and responded advertise the shops on the lower level under consideration, including to questions and concerns raised by and create a downward rippling effect. removal of the Main Hall’s Center Consulting Parties. As part of the Section 106 Café and planters, and additional The Preferred Alternative would consultation process, there is a 45- mitigation measures may be require two holes in the floor of the day comment period during which recommended in comments. The Main Hall. Each hole would hold a Consulting Parties and members of final slide notes that the comment pair of escalators, one up and one the public may submit comments to period closes Thursday, October down, that would provide access to USRC about the proposed project, 25, and explains where to send or and from retail establishments on the its adverse effects on Union Station, email comments. Please view the lower level and be surrounded except and ways to avoid, minimize, and/ September 10 slides and consider at their tops by simple, low, clear or mitigate the adverse effects. CHRS sending USRC your comments, glass. USRC is proposing that a very will be providing comments as a concerns, and/or recommendations— tall pylon be placed between each pair Consulting Party and as a member it’s as simple as sending an e-mail of escalators, based on the lower level of the Union Station Preservation message to: [email protected]. ✯ and rising 30 feet above the floor of Coalition (see the September 2012 the Main Hall. The pylons would be CHRS News for more information

CHRS News October 2012 • 5 Hill East History—Square 1044: A Famous Early Resident and Real Wardman Rowhouses

By Donna Hanousek

Early History Square 1044 (actually a triangle) is bounded by 14th and G Streets, and Avenue, SE. In 1801,

President Jefferson received a report D onna H anousek courtesy image on the number and location of houses in the city, including two frame houses in Square 1044 in Hill East.1 , a well known judge, lived there. William Cranch (1769–1855), a relative of President , was born in and came to Washington in 1795 to work for , the land speculator. In 1795, Cranch married Ann (Nancy) Greenleaf (James Greenleaf’s sister). Cranch was a lawyer, and later an Associate Judge on the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia (appointed by John Adams) (1801–1805), and later served as the Chief Judge (1805–1855). He also organized the Supreme Court decisions and assisted in their publication as a service to American attorneys. (Cranch’s name is known A Wardman house to generations of attorneys who read in Square 1044. early Supreme Court cases reported in Cranch Vol. 1, etc.). During his long life he was active in civic affairs, including serving on the first school board. when he moved to 2nd and D Streets, brick porch-front rowhouses, filling At some point in the early 1800s, SE (now Providence Park). Square 1044 2: 701–715 14th Street SE, the Cranches lived in a frame house Judge Cranch was buried at 1343-1351 G Street SE, and 1330–1354 facing , SE in . In 1872, Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. These Square 1044. In the garden “peas and a school designed by Adolph houses are 20 feet wide, and 30 beans, cabbages, lettuce, radishes, Cluss at 12th and G Streets, SE was feet deep. They reflect Wardman’s turnips, cellery, [sic] onions and corn” named for him. The school was innovations: brick rowhouses with grew “finely.” He owned lot 2 in later demolished, and replaced by a a horizontal orientation, two rooms Square 1044, with an improvement Salvation Army building. deep, bringing daylight into each room, and a front porch. These valued at $1,000 in the 1824 real Wardman Rowhouses in 1907 property tax assessment. Lot 2 was houses were designed by the well- transferred to the Bank of Washington As of 1901, Judge Cranch’s former known architect Albert Beers. sometime between the 1819 and 1824 house in Square 1044 was still extant, Although all the houses in assessments. Between 1826 and 1854 and it also appears on a 1903 map. Square 1044 were built as dwellings, he lived at 217 Avenue, NE, In 1907, Harry Wardman built 20 many on Pennsylvania Avenue were

6 • CHRS News October 2012 1 Saul K. Padover (ed.), Thomas Harry Wardman (1872–1938) was one of the most famous real estate Jefferson and the National Capital, developers in Washington history. He built thousands of houses, (Washington, DC: Government including brick rowhouses in Columbia Heights, Bloomingdale, Printing Office, 1946), 245, 251. Eckington, Brightwood, and Hill East. He was well known for his In 1801, William Young, Ruth innovative daylighter rowhouses. He also built 400 apartment buildings Ann Young and their family and several hotels, including the Hay-Adams Hotel. lived in Square 1106 (overlooking Albert H. Beers (1859–1911) worked extensively with Harry Wardman. the , now inside Two of their projects appear on the National Register of Historic Places: Congressional Cemetery). William the Northumberland Apartments (2039 Avenue, NW), Young’s sister, Elizabeth Young and Wardman Row (seven apartment buildings at 1416–1440 R Street, Wheeler, and her husband Aquila NW whose names spell “Wardman”: Walton, Arden, Ripley, Dudley, Wheeler lived in Square 1048S Marcella, Ashton and Newton). Beers designed many rowhouses for on the Anacostia River, where Wardman and is credited with Wardman’s breakthrough designs for they operated a ferry. There was daylighter rowhouses. Beers designed the porch-front rowhouses for a frame house in Square 1067S Wardman in Square 1044 in 1907. He also worked with other builders, (near Square 1048S). There was including Harry A. Kite, Chris Cox Dawson, Michael Flannery, Frances also a brick house in Square 1114 Zepp, and T.J. McCubbin. There are many Albert Beers buildings in Hill (19th Street, D Street and Potomac East including: 1533–1539 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; 324–336 16th Street Avenue, SE). SE; 1600–1616 D Street, SE, (duplexes); 1606–1640 G Street, SE; 534-536 2 D.C. Building permit #2691 16th Street, SE; and 1605–1619 A Street, SE. (7 March 1907).

converted to commercial use. For Wardman rowhouses in Hill East example, 1330 Pennsylvania Avenue include 738–756 13th Street, SE (1903) (La Lomita) has been used as a (extant) and 1308–1316 Potomac restaurant since at least 1936. Other Avenue, SE, (1903) (demolished). ✯

In Honor of Our Members 3rd Annual CHRS Fun Fall Auction and Reception

Tuesday, November 13th • 7:00 pm Eastern Market, North Hall Please bring friends, neighbors, and family—all are welcome! We are now accepting auction items. We are looking for furniture, art work, kitchen items, collectibles, weekend getaways, rare books, unique items, etc. All items that are donated are tax deductible. To make a donation, please contact Michelle Pilliod Carroll at: [email protected] or (202) 544-7900. We look forward to seeing you at the Fun Fall Auction!

CHRS News October 2012 • 7 Hill East History—Famous Early Speculators Buy, Then Lose, Hill East Land

By Beth Purcell

and speculation ran wild in the each invested in a LU.S. after the 1/3 share in these War. Many dreamed to get-rich- 3,000 lots. The quick and vied to control millions commissioners of acres with borrowed money. later agreed to sell Three of the best known—James an additional 3,000 Greenleaf, Robert Morris, and John lots. The purchase Nicholson—were very active in DC, price and terms and bought thousands of city lots. were $80 per lot, Speculators often lost their land, went with 1/7 of the to debtors’ prison, went bankrupt, price payable in and their creditors ended up owning May, 1794, and everything. the balance to be Congress had appropriated no paid in six annual funds to acquire land or to construct installments, and buildings in the new capital. As a without interest result, the early commissioners needed (apparently very to raise funds from selling land in generous terms). the capital city. George Washington Greenleaf, Morris persuaded the original landowners and Nicholson to transfer half of their property to eventually the government. After all land was owned 7,234 lots. divided into squares and lots, the Greenleaf also Map by Brian Kraft, showing lots once owned by Greenleaf, Morris, government would sell its lots to the owned 1,341 lots and Nicholson. public and the remaining privately- individually, for a owned lots would become much total of 8,575 lots. line of credit, and Dutch banks agreed more valuable. The commissioners Of these 8,575 lots, 6,000 were public only to offer participation shares in held three auctions for public lots lots and 2,575 were purchased from the loan, which raised only a minimal between 1791 and 1793, but sold the original landowners. Greenleaf, amount. Without the loan funds, few lots. In 1793, Greenleaf, Morris, Morris, and Nicholson owned lots in Greenleaf, Morris and Nicholson and Nicholson wanted to buy city Squares 1041, 1045, 1046, 1047, 1061, faced financial disaster. They missed lots, and the commissioners greeted 1067, 1067S, 1078, 1080, and 1113, as the payments on loans for their lots them as saviors. Greenleaf came shown on the map with this article. in DC. The commissioners began to recommended to George Washington Morris and Nicholson also re-sell the DC lots which Greenleaf “as a gentleman of large property and planned to purchase millions of had bought but never paid for. Then having command of much money acres between Pennsylvania and some of the resale purchasers also in this country and Europe.” Morris , and needed money for the defaulted, and the lots were re-sold was renowned as the financier of the down payment and taxes. Greenleaf a second time. In addition, Greenleaf , believed to be claimed that he had a $1 million line had already “sold” lots to Morris one of the richest men in the country, of credit at Dutch banks. The three and Nicholson, who used them as and a friend of George Washington. formed the North American Land collateral to secure loans from a DC Nicholson was Pennsylvania’s highest Company in 1795. Before receiving bank. Meanwhile, in 1796, Greenleaf, ranking financial officer. any loan proceeds from Holland, Morrison and Nicholson assigned The commissioners sold Greenleaf their company began buying land in their claims to DC lots to a committee 3,000 lots near James Creek. One , and Georgia. of their creditors (Henry Pratt and month later, Morris and Nicolson As it turned out, Greenleaf had no others, the trustees of “the aggregate

8 • CHRS News October 2012 fund”). Greenleaf, Morrison, and in as of 1794 and moved ever more complex. For example, Nicholson believed that the aggregate to in 1795. In 1798, in 1793, he hired L’Enfant to design fund would pay their liabilities Greenleaf filed for bankruptcy in and oversee construction of a and afterwards, leave them with a Pennsylvania and . mansion in Philadelphia. Morris substantial equity. The trustees of In 1800, Greenleaf married Ann failed to monitor L’Enfant’s often- the aggregate fund contested the Penn Allen of Allentown, Pa. At first, changing and expensive design, commissioners’ attempts to re-sell the they divided their time between resulting in cost overruns and wasted lots. Greenleaf was involved in many Philadelphia and Allentown; later, funds on a grand scale. By 1795, court cases, including 13 that reached she remained alone in Allentown. In the expenses (approximately $1 the Supreme Court. Greenleaf, Morris, 1831, Greenleaf built a frame house million) on the unfinished mansion and Nicholson each spent time in in Washington at First and C Streets were exacerbating Morris’ financial debtors’ prison. Nicholson died there. (Square 725). It appears that he had problems, and at the worst possible Morris also died in poverty. Greenleaf a nice lifestyle: a three-bedroom time. The mansion was never fared the best, and enjoyed a nice house filled with furniture, paintings, completed, was later demolished, and lifestyle in DC in his later years. looking glasses and accessories, a the building materials were sold to We know which lots in Hill East large library (including books in pay Morris’ creditors. were once owned by Greenleaf, French, Dutch, Italian and Latin), plus By 1795, Morris’ financial Morris, and Nicholson. The DC real a stable and carriage. As of his death, problems were becoming property tax assessments in the early he still owned substantial land. He insurmountable. Under the law 19th century show lots owned by is buried at Congressional Cemetery. at the time, Morris was safe from their creditors, Henry Pratt, a trustee Greenleaf’s Point (now Fort McNair), creditors as long as he remained of the aggregate fund and by Gilles Greenleaf School, (and presumably, inside his home. Creditors circled his Groenveld, a Dutch banker. See the Greenleaf Gardens public housing, house. He wrote Nicholson in 1797 squares on the map accompanying near the 200 block of K Street, SW) that a creditor had arrived with a this article. were named for him. group carrying sledge hammers and For further reading, see Bob pickaxes. “They would have had me Robert Morris (1734–1806) Arnebeck, Through a Fiery Trial: in five minutes if every Pistol & gun Building Washington 1790–1800, Robert Morris was called the financier in the house had [not] been manned (Madison Books, Lanham, MD 1991) of the American Revolution. At one and fixed at them, for we could not point during the war, he used his have killed all.” But Morris was The Speculators personal line of credit to pay war eventually forced into debtors’ prison expenses. He was accused of blurring in Philadelphia on February 16, 1798, and remained there until August 26, James Greenleaf (1765–1843) the lines between his personal and public finances, and of conflicts 1801. After his release he lived with James Greenleaf is a controversial of interest. He served in the first his wife in Philadelphia. Gouverneur figure in DC history, often referred to Congress, and tried to keep the Morris (another key figure in the as “land speculator” and “schemer.” national capital in Pennsylvania. He American Revolution) arranged a Greenleaf was born in , was friendly with George Washington. small pension for Robert Morris. moved to Philadelphia, and went As of the 1790s, he was said to be Robert Morris is buried in a church into business there. He traveled to one of the richest men in the country. cemetery in Philadelphia. Holland in 1788, and was appointed At that time he became interested in John Nicholson (1757–1800) American consul for Holland in land speculation, and on a massive 1793. He married Baroness Antonia scale. In 1790, Morris purchased five Nicholson had a talent for numbers, Cornelia Elbertine Scholten van million acres in Genesee County in and rose from a clerk in the accounts Aschat et Oud-Haarlem. She western New York state for $75,000 department of the Continental remained in Holland with their child and sold it for double that in two Congress to the office of comptroller- and he returned to the US. He later years. This early success encouraged general of Pennsylvania as of 1781. obtained a divorce in . him to speculate in more land. He was accused of manipulating state During his stay in Holland he made As Morris himself later said, if he loan certificates; and although he was a fortune trading on American debt had stopped then, he might have exonerated, he was forced to resign notes and also attempted to negotiate remained a very wealthy man. from office in 1794. As a result of his loans for $1.3 million to buy land in Morris often failed to keep track land speculation he was defending the . Greenleaf lived of his transactions, which grew Continued on page 10

CHRS News October 2012 • 9 Early Speculators, continued from page 9 against 61 lawsuits in 1796. In 1797, Website Redesign—It’s About Time another 64 lawsuits were filed against We will be eternally grateful to the original developer of our website him. In 1797, he was confined to his who dragged us into the modern era. But the site has “grown like home to escape creditors. Nicholson Topsy” and has been in need of a serious overhaul for some time now. and Morris corresponded frequently A website redesign team (Janet Quigley, Shauna Holmes, Maurice during this difficult period. Walters, Monte Edwards, Lisa Dale Jones, Elizabeth Nelson and one Nicholson went to debtor’s prison of our webmasters, Donna Breslin) has been working hard on a draft in August 1799, where he died on design document to be shared with a future developer. A Request for December 5, 1800, survived by his Proposals for development and installation of the website will go out wife and eight children. ✯ sometime in October or November and will be posted on our website. If you are interested in submitting a bid, contact Elizabeth Nelson at [email protected].

11th Street Bridges, continued from cover Thank You CHRS and will miss it. Around January 2013 drivers, who think of I-695 as the the eastbound lanes between Barney Baltimore Beltway, so it may take a Supporters Circle and 8th Street SE will also while for us to get used to. However, be completely closed. Meanwhile, DDOT says that this section of the We thank the following new DDOT is starting to plan a new, freeway has been designated I-695 members, patrons and sponsors. additional project to redesign the since 1958. New signage has begun Barney Circle traffic circle. incorporating the I-695 designation, NEW MEMBERS Some other developments to and we can expect more signs to Deborah Bell watch for this fall: say I-695 as additional portions of Jennifer Eaton the 11th Street Bridge project are • By Thanksgiving, there should be Chern Chiat Kong completed. a new entrance to the westbound Christopher Kerry & For additional information, SE/SW Freeway from 11th Street Jessica Johnson see www.anacostiawaterfront. SE, near K Street SE. For many org/11thStreetBridge or call DDOT at drivers on the Hill and at the PATRONS (202) 741-8528. ✯ Navy Yard, this new entrance Albert & Margaret Crenshaw will be a welcome alternative to Joan Keenan the 3rd Street ramp. Stephen Sinclair • An outbound 11th Street freeway ramp to northbound DC-295 SPONSORS should open by Thanksgiving. Peter & Sandy Clark • Several new ramps that will David & Shauna Holmes join the local bridge to DC-295 Robert & Inez Lester and I-295 are scheduled for SILVER SPONSORS completion this fall. Kathryn Powers Another development is that the section of the SE/SW Freeway GOLD SPONSORS between the 3rd Street Tunnel and the I-295/DC-295 split east of the Lisa Delplace Anacostia River will have a new Pat & Virginia Quinn name: I-695. This may confuse many

10 • CHRS News October 2012 Out and About with CHRS

By Elizabeth Nelson

s part of our “Beyond the advertising for next year. Aside from By the time you read this, ABoundaries” program, Society promoting our organization, we had we’ll have completed our third fall volunteers are engaging in a variety a great time in a great location—kitty- outreach activity, passing out pencils of outreach activities, most recently corner to the Baltimore Rock Opera. with the CHRS logo and website hosting booths at both the H Street The following weekend we were address at Walk To School Day in Festival (September 15) and Barracks on Barracks Row. We had perfect Lincoln Park on October 3. Row Day (September 22). weather and an excellent turnout— While the street fair season First, what to say about the H though certainly not on the scale of is over for the year, there will be Street Festival?! Organizers estimate the H Street event. This charming plenty of other occasions to help that there were 45,000 attendees! tradition never seems to change; it’s with outreach. Preservation Cafés It’s easy to believe, as we greeted an always a delightful family-friendly could always use a few extra hands. unprecedented number of visitors experience. The kids never seem The Fall Auction is coming up in to our table. We gained several to tire of the beads we put out to November. Volunteers are always new members, made an important make bracelets and the temporary more than welcome—they are truly contact with a “sister” organization— tattoos are always a hit. Keeping the needed. Plus it’s a lot of fun to get the Trinidad Neighborhood young ones occupied allows us to out and meet friends, old and new. If Association—met a local craftsman have longer conversations with their you’re interested in becoming more with a passion for historic interiors parents. Once again, we had a prime involved, please contact Elizabeth (he may contribute to our newsletter location, just across the way from Nelson, [email protected] or do a Preservation Café for us), and the petting zoo. Much to our delight, or 543-3512. ✯ passed out a huge stack of leftover one of its denizens (a sweet-faced house tour catalogs—excellent pre- donkey) paid us a visit. eli z abeth nelson s COURTESY IMAGE

Members of the community stop by the CHRS booth at the H Street Festival to learn more.

A visitor from the petting zoo gets a hug from Michelle Carroll.

CHRS News October 2012 • 11 Capitol Hill Restoration Society 420 Tenth Street, SE Washington, DC 20003

Mark Your Calendar!

OCTOBER NOVEMBER 1 Monday, 6:30 pm 5 Monday, 6:30 pm 14 Wednesday, 6:30 pm CHRS Historic Preservation Committee, CHRS Historic Preservation Committee, CHRS Preservation Café: Topic to be Kirby House, 420 10th Street, SE, first Kirby House, 420 10th Street, SE, first determined (will be posted on website). floor. Details: Shauna Holmes, 546-5211. floor. Details: Shauna Holmes, 546-5211. Ebenezers Coffeehouse, 2nd and F Streets, NE, downstairs; 6:30–7:15 pm. Free, 11 Thursday, 7:30 pm 8 Thursday, 7:30 pm accessible, open to the public; no CHRS Zoning Committee, Kirby House, CHRS Zoning Committee, Kirby House, reservation needed. 420 10th Street, SE, first floor. 420 10th Street, SE, first floor. Details: Gary Peterson, 547-7969. Details: Gary Peterson, 547-7969. 20 Tuesday, 6:30 pm CHRS Board of Directors, Capitol Hill 16 Tuesday, 6:30 pm 13 Tuesday, 7:00 pm Townhomes, 750 6th Street, SE, second CHRS Board of Directors, Capitol Hill 3rd Annual Fun Fall Auction & Reception floor. Details: Janet Quigley, 543-0425. Townhomes, 750 6th Street, SE, second in Honor of Our Members, North Hall floor. Details: Janet Quigley, 543-0425. Eastern Market. Details: Michelle Carroll, 544-7900. 17 Wednesday, 6:30 pm CHRS Preservation Café: Local author, Tim Krepp, will read from his recently Saturdays, April 21–November 17 published book Capitol Hill Haunts, a 9 am–noon (rain or shine) “true” history of ghosts and hauntings H Street NE Freshfarm Market, located on Capitol Hill. Ebenezers Coffeehouse, at library kiosk, 13th and H Street, NE. 2nd and F Streets, NE, downstairs; Fresh fruits and vegetables, pasture- 6:30–7:15 pm. Free, accessible, open raised meats, local dairy, baked goods, to the public; no reservation needed. and more. www.freshfarmmarkets.org Details: Elizabeth Nelson, 543-3512.