Fort Stevens/ Vinegar Hill Meeting September 2, 2001

Fort Stevens/ Vinegar Hill Meeting

September 2, 2001

Prepared by Glenn Eugster, NPS-NCRO

On September 2, 2001 I met with a group of community leaders about their interest in the Military School building at 1375 Missouri Avenue. The meeting was in response to calls from Pat Tyson, Ft. Stevens/ Vinegar Hill Military School Road Heritage Alliance, and Phil Oglvie, George Washington University, Potomac Heritage Partnership, Interstate Commission for the Potomac River Basin, and other organizations.  Pat Tyson, Charles Powell, Loretta Newman, and others met me in front of the school and we talked briefly about their interest in trying to secure the building for community purposes.

The group would like to secure the school for community purposes.  Evidently it is owned by the District and leased to a woman who agreed to use it for a Charter School.  Although the lessee has had the building for several years the project has not progressed.  As a result the building condition is deteriorating, the grounds are unkempt and the school has not opened.

The group feels that because the lessee has not acted, and evidently lost her charter, there is a good opportunity to save the building and do something good for the community.

Despite being attacked by a variety of flying insects, the group held it's position near NPS lands looking up toward Ft. Stevens and talked about the area.  They briefly described a development proposal that would threaten the about a one acre tract along the tree line, adjacent to NPS lands across from the school.  Evidently they are working with the National Park Trust to find funds to acquire this property.  They talked about a residential structure owned by the Lightfoot family where Dr. George Lightfoot once entertained noted African American leaders such as Woodson, Kelly, DuBois, and others.

The group talked with pleasure about our lands and how they link to other civil war forts in the DC area.  This NPS site they feel is a "gateway" to the forts.

They also mentioned that there was once a school, perhaps on the school property--or on our land, that was used to educate Free Negro slaves.  They expressed an interest in recreating the original structure.

They pointed out with pride the successful community gardens not far from Ft, Stevens and the value of such urban agriculture--and their appreciation of NPS support for this activity.

As some of the group left to present their ideas at an ANC meeting, Mr. Powell and Ms. Newman, walked me to Ft. Stevens and talked of their vision.  Ms. Newman is working with Historic Takoma and wants to see if there is a way to link this area to her area.  She has had a great deal of experience with heritage corridors and envisions these features and values as being an important part of something larger.

Mr. Powell spoke eloquently about going attending the School and living in the community.  His vision is to restore the community by developing a stronger sense of historical and cultural pride and social commitment.  He believes

The group would like to meet with Superintendent Adrienne Applewhaite-Coleman, and other appropriate NPS officials, to share information on the interests of NPS and the Alliance for the future of the area.  They would like to exchange information to see if there is any basis for future collaboration.  Although money is needed to pursue some the ideas of the Alliance, the group indicated that they are not making a request for NPS financial assistance.

They may wish to come back to the Regional Office and ask for help to identify sources of funding for the adaptive reuse of the school--should they secure it.

On September 10, 2001 I discussed this meeting with Superintendent Applewhaite-Coleman and she agreed that I should have Pat Tyson of the Alliance contact her to arrange for a meeting.  On September 20, 2001 I contacted Pat Tyson and asked her to contact the Superintendent.  She indicated that she will contact the Superintendent very soon.