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As well documented, Georgetown University is wrestling with its history of owning enslaved people, and the sad choice it made in 1838 to sell 272 of them to stave off financial ruin. But less prominent is the similar process taking place next door to the university at Georgetown Visitation, which has its own history of owning enslaved people.

Formed in 1799, it was not unusual for Georgetown Visitation to own enslaved people. Slavery was common in Georgetown. But like Georgetown College next door, Visitation made several strategic sales of the humans they owned. For instance, in 1821 Visitation was given four enslaved people, including a pregnant woman and two children. Viewing the gift as more of a financial burden than a boon, the sisters in charge of the school sold the enslaved people (which included the newly born infant of the pregnant woman).

This sale was transacted in the wake of the construction of the school’s Chapel of the Sacred Heart. And the financial burden of the construction certainly contributed to the decision. Continue reading →

Photo by Bill Starrels.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• EGG, the children’s clothing store on Book Hill, is closing after the French Market this weekend. Domage.
• New Burmese salad bowl shop, Bandoola Bowl, opened yesterday on Wisconsin just south of M.

Montrose Park

Next Tuesday, the ANC will be meeting for its “May” session (it will still be April). As usual it will begin 6:30 pm at Georgetown Visitation.

The agenda has a bunch of issues likely to draw extended discussion. They include:

• The installation of 5G cell phone antennae all over Georgetown
• The proposed restoration and enhancement of the C&O Canal
• Washington Gas leaks
• The location of two Capital Bikeshare stations
• Signal light timing for streets approaching Key Bridge

Each one of these issues could probably generate a half hour of talk, easily. So hopefully the Commission will keep a tight lid on things or it’ll be a long, long night. Continue reading →

Photo by Mike Maguire.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• The Washington Times’ take on the state of Georgetown restaurants. (Staying on brand, it gets the history wrong.)
• This isn’t very different from other plans floated over the years, but the Mayor is trying to push forward big changes to K St., which would benefit Georgetown Metrobus riders a lot.

Dumbarton Oaks Park

The French Market returns this weekend to Book Hill. The festivities start Friday and they run all the way till Sunday. Friday and Saturday, it is from 10 am to 5 pm, and on Sunday it’s noon to 5:00.

This is always a great opportunity for huge crowds to descend on Book Hill, with stores from Q to Reservoir out showing their wares on the sidewalk. Like the past several years, this will also be a great example of temporary sidewalk widening, as the parking lane is shut down.
Continue reading →

Photo by Mike Maguire.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• People are always surprised to hear this, but Georgetown has a really, really good sailing team. (Sure, it fits with the stereotype, so in that way it’s not surprising. But that a campus not particularly near any sailing hotspot is so good is what’s surprising.)
• If you’ve got a free afternoon this week, this is the week to get to Dumbarton Oaks for its incredible collection of wisteria.

Dumbarton Oaks

Photo by M.V. Jantzen.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• The story behind the man behind the piano behind the Georgetown Piano Bar.
• Another look at the bizarre new art gallery on Cady’s Alley.