Funkstown - History News, Notes, and Events!

By Frank Leone

Colbert King on Community Displacement and Renewal - Washington Post Pulitzer-Prize columnist and former West End resident Colbert King recently spoke to the West End Citizens’ Association about growing up in the area. Mr. King was born in Columbia Hospital for Women and lived at the corner of 24th and L Streets. He talked about the importance of the family and church-based community in the 1940s. In the 1950s, redevelopment evicted many residents from the Foggy Bottom/West End area. This breaking up of close-knit communities ended the sense of shared values and belonging, and dispersed residents to sometimes hostile neighborhoods. The consequences of this displacement have spanned further generations and continues to impact our city. Mr. King counseled that we need to foster rebuilding of communities to overcome the damage caused by displacement. You can hear more from Mr. King in our interview here.

Colbert King addresses WECA on April 26th at a GWU classroom.  (F. Leone, April 2025)

West End Jazz – Celebrating One Step Down – The West End Library hosted a tribute featuring reminiscences by jazz historian Bertrand Uberall and audience members and a wonderful performance to celebrate the intimate “One Step Down” jazz club. It was located at 2517 Pennsylvania Ave. (at the Alfred Mullet Rowhouses) and operated from 1963-2000. (Its space is now occupied by a smoke shop.) The stellar performance by the Dave Jernigan Quartet featured music composed by DC jazz musicians who frequently performed at the club (Reuben Brown, Buck Hill, and Lawrence Wheatley). Read the program, HERE. The April 27, 2025 event was sponsored the West End Library Friends, which held a book collection drive for its next book sale the day before, and would love to have you as a member!

The David Jernigan Quartet performing at the West Library – JC Jefferson (drums), Lyle Link (saxophone), David Jernigan (bass), and Donato Soviero (guitar). (F. Leone, April 2025)

Foggy Bottom in the Post.  The Washington Post, Local Living section, “Where We Live,” featured a two-page article on the Foggy Bottom Historic District, entitled “One of the District’s oldest neighborhoods preserves, creates history.” The article, which featured interviews with, and photographs of, John George (FBA President) and Denise Vogt (FBA History Project Co-Chair), and resident Scott Wayne ran online on April 16, 2025 and in the print edition on April 24, 2025. The article discusses some of the history of the neighborhood and why it is such a pleasant place to live.

Sophie the Cat Visits the White House.  Another story (originally on-line in the Washington Post) reported on the visit of Foggy Bottom Historic District four-legged resident Sophie to the White House lawn. When she crossed through the fence, she was scooped up by members of the White House Press Corps and returned to her owner.  I bet it was the best news day they have had in a while! Stories and adorable pictures here and here.

Remember the Pearl!  In 1848, 77 enslaved people left DC on the schooner Pearl seeking freedom. It was the single largest escape attempt. The group included young Emily Edmondson who fled from businessman Alexander Ray, who later owned the GWU President’s House (story here). Unfortunately, the ship was caught before it could sail up the Chesapeake Bay and most of the freedom seekers on board were sold to the deep south. On April 18, 2025, Congresswoman Norton (D-DC) introduced a resolution commemorating the historic event. 

Beagles Supervise Arts in Foggy Bottom installation. Foggy Bottom Historic District resident Bellini (left) joins artist’s assistant Hopper (right) at the new installation at 844 New Hampshire Ave. The installation had its challenges, so it was helpful to have extra sets of ears nearby.  (D. Vogt, April 2025)

Upcoming Events: 

• Join us at the DACOR Bacon House for a luncheon and talk on the “Washington Salon”: How Women Exercised Influence in 19th and 20th Century Washington, May 14, 2025, 12:00- 2:15 pm – info here.

• The Watergate Museum is presenting the next talk in its Speaker Series on May 20, 2025 at 6:00 pm, at The Cecchi Ballroom at the Watergate Hotel, 2650 Virginia Ave NW. The talk, “Moretti and Timchenko: Artists of the Built and Natural Environment,” will feature Professors Edward A. Eigen and T. Corey Brennan discussing the structural and landscape dimensions of the Watergate Complex’s architect, Luigi Moretti and landscape architect, Boris Timchenko, and how they altered DC’s skyline and natural venues as well as buildings and sites beyond the capital city. Scott Simon again will moderate. Admission is free, but register here!