The Anacostia neighborhood in D.C., east of the Anacostia River, has a storied past and a distinct charm. Here are five things to do in Anacostia, unbeknownst to most people.
Let's start with the name. The name "Anacostia" comes from the area's early history as Nacochtank, a settlement of Necostan or Anacostan Indians on the banks of the Anacostia River. Over hundreds of years, groups ranging from Native Americans, traders, freedmen and freedwomen, and the U.S. military have all found a home on the rolling hills along the river. Today's Anacostia neighborhood started as two 19th-century villages, one white and one African American, which remained separate for a century. Learn more about Anacostia and check out these five things you didn't know you could do there today.
1. Travel John Wilkes Booth’s Escape Route
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Courtesy of abraham-lincoln-history.org[/caption]
After he assassinated Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theater, John Wilkes Booth frantically fled D.C. The Anacostia Heritage Trail retraces the path Booth took, which eventually led him into Maryland and then farther south. (He was found and killed in Virginia 12 days after the assassination).
The trail is loaded with informational signs about Booth, the Civil War, and lots of other factoids about the neighborhood's history. Not a bad way to spend a day if you’re an outdoor recreation and/or history buff.
Courtesy of abraham-lincoln-history.org[/caption]
2. Visit Frederick Douglass's House
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Courtesy of www.nps.gov[/caption]
"I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong." -- Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass spent his life fighting for equality. He was born a slave in 1818, but he escaped as a young man and became a leader of the abolitionist movement. People everywhere still find inspiration today in his struggle, words, and vision of humanity. Douglass's legacy was preserved at Cedar Hill, where he lived his last 17 years.
The centerpiece of the site is the historic house, which sits on top of a 50-foot hill and eight acres of the original estate. Restored to its 1895 appearance, the house is furnished with Frederick Douglass's personal belongings and things that belonged to other household members. Tour the historic house, look at exhibits, watch the film, and explore the grounds while you're there.
(You have to be on a guided tour, for a mere $1.50, to get inside the house. Visiting the property is free otherwise)!
Cedar Hill is located at 1411 W. Street SE.
3. Go See the Big Chair
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Courtesy flickr.com User myrick_andy64[/caption]
The Big Chair came to life as an advertisement for a furniture store, but now it's a rooted landmark in the community. Built from mahogany in 1959, the chair rotted over the years and was taken apart in 2005 after coming dangerously close to collapsing. The owner, Curtis Properties Inc., introduced a rebuilt version in 2006, which was constructed from brown-painted aluminum. At the unveiling, longstanding residents hooted and hollered in celebration; the chair was a part of their history. A 2006 Washington Post article quoted Anacostia pastor Willie Wilson saying the chair represents:
“a seat at the table where all of us can come together.”The famous Chair lives at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and V Street SE.
4. Peruse the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum
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Courtesy www.washington.org[/caption]
Since 1967, the Anacostia Community Museum has, in its own words, worked to “challenge perceptions, generate new knowledge, and deepen understanding about the ever-changing concepts and realities of communities.”
When it first opened, it featured an eclectic mix of art and artifacts from other Smithsonian museums. But locals soon voiced their desire to have a museum relevant to their experiences and history. As a result, a bunch of exhibitions and public programs focused on African American history, community issues, local history, and the arts were developed. Such exhibition projects as the Frederick Douglass Years, Lorton Reformatory: Beyond Time, The Rat: Man's Invited Affliction, The Anacostia Story, and the Barnett-Aden Collection have been among the most memorable.
The museum also made a strong connection with local school teachers and created a hands-on children’s room as well as a youth advisory council. All of this work made the museum a model for community museums and a principal force in the African American museum movement.
The Anacostia Community Museum is located at 1901 Fort Place SE.
5. Take a Spin at D.C.'s Only Roller Rink
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Courtesy www.popville.com[/caption]
Can you remember the last time you backward-couple-skated at a real, bonafide roller rink? OK, I don't remember ever being coordinated enough to backward skate by myself, let alone with someone else, but still! Make brand spankin' new memories with this fun-for-the-whole-family activity. In this open air roller rink, you can rock and roll to DJ music, but only in the summer. Any other time, I guess you have to BYOJ (bring your own jams). This is the one and only roller skating rink in the National Park Service, so it's FREE!
Season: Free skate rentals are available seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Rates: Skates are free with a valid I.D. Call (202) 472-3884 for availability.
The skating pavilion is located at 1500 Anacostia Drive SE, Washington, D.C., near the DC-295 and Pennsylvania Ave. SE interchange.
Now you have five things to do in Anacostia, so what are you waiting for? Get down there and tell us all about your visit in the comments!
