Weekly Washington: Meridians and Monuments

photo by NCinDCWAMU Metro Connection's program this week, "In the Middle", featured me discussing the history of Washington's Prime Meridian, and the last remnant of that day: Meridian Hill Park. Obviously, I'm fascinating, but some of the other segments caught my attention as well. They catch local historian Paul Dickson taking in the midterms at one of my favorite Hill bars; Hawk 'n' Dove, and talking a little about our history of election watching.

The National Park Service is exploring options for moving the visitors screening facility underground. All of them seem to require some sort of subterranean facility to screen folks. This is a touchy issue, and many folks, including myself are confused as to the need for what will end up being an incredibly expensive and quite possibly intrusive measure. The Monument is already protected from car bombs, and the damage a potential bomber could do would be no worse than in any other crowded public space. Either way, the Park Service had a public meeting this way, and seemed stubbornly resistant to engaging the actual public on this issue. (WCP, WaPo)

Speaking of Washington Monument grounds, the area was once far less grand. In fact, it must have been downright disgusting. The whole area was at one time part of DC's network of cattle stockyards, getting beef fresh to your table. David Rotenstein discusses it in a great piece over at Greater Greater Washington.

Not in DC, but just up 95 in Philly, the National Museum of Jewish American History opened their new building this weekend. (Around the Mall)

Comments

[Leslie]

Have you read "Monument Wars"? I found pretty informative about the history of development of the various monuments and the Mall, given my lack of awareness about that era of DC urban development.

[Tim Krepp]

Not yet (which is a horrible failing, I might add). It's kind of fascinating the depths of passion each of these memorials have stirred up over the years.