Dr. B. F. Cooling, author of several Civil War books and probably the foremost scholar of Washington’s Civil War defenses, sends along the following news item. I’m glad to see some recognition of Fort Stevens, site of a battle between Jubal Early’s Confederates and Union defenders on July 11 and 12, 1864. President Lincoln himself stood on the parapet and was narrowly missed by a Rebel sharpshooter. If you’re in the area drop by!
Dear Frank,
Please distribute this to your friends and colleagues, especially those with an interest in Civil War history. This Heritage Trail is especially rich in Civil War information, as its centerpiece is Fort Stevens.
On Saturday, August 16, 2008, please join Cultural Tourism DC and the Brightwood Heritage Trail Working Group for the official unveiling of Battleground to Community: Brightwood Heritage Trail.
The unveiling ceremony begins at 10 am with the trooping of the colors by the Marie Reed Civil War Cadets Academy representing DC’s first regiment of Colored Troops. At this writing, Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser, District Department of Transportation Executive Director Emeka Moneme, and Rock Creek Park Superintendent Adrienne Coleman will make remarks. Afterwards the crowd will be trooped across the street to unveil Brightwood Heritage Trail’s sign 2.
Beginning around 11 am and ending at 4 pm, is the Heritage Trail Stroll, combining the self-guided tour of the 18-sign Heritage Trail (approximately a 90-minute walk) with free refreshments and other incentives from Brightwood businesses and churches along the route. Members of FREED, Female RE-Enactors of Distinction, will portray Civil War era characters, and National Park Service rangers will be on hand at Fort Stevens and Battleground National Cemetery to answer questions.
Additional activities will be announced shortly, and an official invitation, suitable for forwarding, is forthcoming next week.
The Washington, DC, Neighborhood Heritage Trails Program is a project of Cultural Tourism DC in collaboration with the District Department of Transportation. Funding is provided by District Department of Transportation, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, and U.S. Department of Transportation.
In summary, please mark your calendars:
Brightwood Heritage Trail Launch and Stroll
Saturday, August 16, 2008
10 am: Ceremony at Emery Recreation Center, 5701 Georgia Ave., NW
11 am – 4 pm: Self-guided Heritage Trail Stroll, including free refreshments and business discounts in the Brightwood neighborhood and from churches and businesses along the route.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Best,
Jane
Jane Freundel Levey
Chief Program Officer and Historian
Cultural Tourism DC
1250 H Street, NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005
JLevey@CulturalTourismDC.org
www.CulturalTourismDC.org
202-626-1137
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