Community Building in the Washington, DC area!!

SFP Editor: How did you become involved with the City Museum? Nedra Lee: I joined the Historical Society and City Museum staff in July 2002. I was a recent college graduate with an interest in local history and archaeology, and I was searching for jobs with organizations that also held that interest. I saw a job announcement in the City Paper, and got really excited about the prospects of working for a historical society. I applied and I have been with the museum for a year and three months.

SFP Editor: How did you become involved with the City Museum?

Nedra Lee: I joined the Historical Society and City Museum staff in July 2002. I was a recent college graduate with an interest in local history and archaeology, and I was searching for jobs with organizations that also held that interest. I saw a job announcement in the City Paper, and got really excited about the prospects of working for a historical society. I applied and I have been with the museum for a year and three months.

SFP Editor: What interests you the most about DC history

Nedra Lee: I am really intrigued by the flows in DC history. DC is often considered a transient city, but this is not always true. I am really amazed by the many diverse groups and communities that have made and continue to make this city their home. Many of these groups have had quite an impact on the city. You can see this with the politicians that come to DC with each presidential election and the early Native Americans and Africans. When the Historical Society was located at its former headquarters, the Heurich House, I was introduced to the many contributions of German immigrants. Like other immigrant communities to the District, the Germans created supportive social organizations and organized many small businesses and industries that were a significant part of the District’s economy.

SFP Editor: What have you learned at the City Museum that would surprise DC residents or DC history buffs about the city?

Nedra Lee: Working at the City Museum has given me the opportunity to learn more about less glamorous topics in Washington’s history like slavery. Slavery was legal, and many blacks fought for their freedom. The Pearl Affair is a good example of this resistance. In April 15, 1848, over 70 slaves attempted to escape to freedom on a ship called the Pearl. Despite careful planning, inclement weather prevented the slaves from traveling north. The slaves were caught and imprisoned and several were forced to return to a life of forced labor. Many free African-Americans, a white ship owner and the captain of the Pearl were involved in the planning of this escape. Several whites who were involved in the planning of this escape were imprisoned. The Pearl Affair is one of the largest attempts at escape from freedom.

SFP Editor: What is a little known fact about Washington, DC history?

Nedra Lee: Many people do not know that Hecht’s department store was once segregated. Many blacks, most notably Mary Church Terrell (Terrell fought to end Jim Crow segregation throughout her life and was the first black woman to be appointed to the District of Columbia Board of Education), protested to end segregation in this presently bustling business. That’s a fact that’s often overlooked. SFP Editor: When did Washington, DC become a city and how was it established?

Nedra Lee: There was much debate surrounding the location of a permanent seat of government. Going back and forth between New York and Philadelphia, northern legislators wanted the capital city to be located in a region that would allow for an urban economy. Southern legislators argued that the capital city be located in a region that survived on an agricultural economy that was supported by slavery. The 1790 congressional act, the Residence Act, ended this debate with a compromise that stated that the capital city be located in the South, along the Potomac River. In return, Southern legislators had to vote for legislation supported by the North to assume debt from the Revolutionary War. With help from the Ellicott brothers and Benjamin Banneker (a black scientist and astronomer), President George Washington chose the site of the District. The city was created from land given up by the states of Maryland and Virginia (it even included the port towns of Georgetown and Alexandria). The first 100 federal government officials arrived in the new federal city in December 1800. SFP Editor: What are the goals of the City Museum now that it has found a new home in DC?

Nedra Lee: The Historical Society’s mission is to serve the city, its residents and visitors as an educational institution that promotes the knowledge of the past for a better understanding of the future. With the recent opening of the City Museum, our goals are to strengthen our connection with the various communities in the District; to become a premiere resource for DC history; to share the city’s rich history and diverse stories with both local residents and national visitors. SFP Editor: What brought you to Washington, DC?

Nedra Lee: I am a native Washingtonian. I love this place. I went to college in Oberlin, Ohio and did not think twice about returning to the city after I graduated. SFP Editor: Do you have a favorite historical figure and why?

Nedra Lee:I don’t have a favorite historical figure. So many people have done so many great things, that it is really hard to select just one. In regards to DC history, I would have to say that Marion Barry is my favorite historical figure. He was a champion for civil rights and he did a lot for many underserved residents in the District. However, Barry had a tragic career, and I believe a few people may not share my sentiments about him because of the controversy surrounding his abuse of drugs. Nonetheless, Marion Barry was rather inspirational. SFP Editor: If you could make an impact on DC or American history, what would that be?

Nedra Lee: If I could make an impact on DC history, I would start by securing the vote. If you are familiar with the license tag slogan, “Taxation without representation” you can see that DC pays taxes to the federal government, and has very little voice in national concerns. The District does not have the right to a voting representative in Congress. This is strange because we are supposed to be the seat of this nation’s democracy. Does that sound democratic? SFP Editor: What programs are being held at the City Museum that are worth checking out?

Nedra Lee: Please check out the City Guild’s- that’s our young professionals’ organization- new member champagne brunch on Sunday, November 16, 2003 from 11 am to 1 pm. The City Guild is a group of young professionals interested in enriching their cultural and historical appreciation of Washington, DC through programs and service activities designed to explore the city’s diverse and dynamic history. The City Guild also has a wide range of social networking opportunities that allow people to explore the city while meeting individuals who share common interests. For further information on the champagne brunch, please see our website at www.citymuseumdc.org or contact us at 202-383-1827. Also, on November 16th, we will host a lecture on a 19th century neighborhood between the White House and the US Capitol. This neighborhood had several commercial and residential establishments, specifically the homes of working class families and brothels. Archaeologist Donna Seifert will discuss how archaeology gives us a better understanding of everyday life in this area.