“The Stars We Do Not See” – at the National Gallery of Art East Building through March 1. A once-in-a-life-time exhibit of Australian Indigenous art – the largest ever shown in North America.
Collaborative painting – Spirit Dreaming through Napperby County
Painting representing a coming of age ceremony – Elders initiation boys into adulthood.
Painting of a rain spirit, traditionally found on cave walls.
“Burdi, Burdi” (Fire, Fire). A red space where the performance artist sings in the native language of the threats of colonization.
Bark painting showing interaction of Australian natives with global trade partners prior to arrival of the British in the 18th Century.
A group of 12 paintings by Australian Indigenous artists.
The Week Ahead…
Monday, December 29
CANCELLED. ANC6A Community Outreach Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
The standard business of the Executive Committee is adoption of upcoming meeting agendas. At December’s Executive Committee meeting, the agendas for the December ABC, Transportation, and Planning & Zoning Committee meetings will be voted on as will the agenda for the January Full Meeting of ANC 6B.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
On going:
Folger Library
Ring in the New Year with Folger Consort’s Resplendent Joy. Streaming on-demand now through January 4
In case you missed it, or you want to relive the magic, you can now enjoy Folger Consort’s Resplendent Joy from the best seat in your house. Ring in the new year with touching songs of simple beauty and celebratory odes to the season as many times as you’d like through January 4.
Unlimited access is pay what you will, starting at $25. Pay the price you can afford, your generosity supports programming at the Folger.
Hundreds of community members showed up for the lighting of the Capitol Hill Tree on Saturday night.
Members of the Capitol Hill Chorale performed, leading up to…
…the countdown and illumination. The annual lighting ceremony features the evergreen tree “Sonny” in the SW Quadrant of Eastern Market Metro Plaza, honoring the late George Didden III for his many contributions to the Capitol Hill community. Members of the Didden family were on hand to flip the switch.
ANC6B is holding a Special Call Meeting on Monday night to discuss the ANC’s protest of the application from Aloha for a license to sell medical cannabis at 539 8th Street, on Barracks Row. Recent changes in ABCA regulations could spell trouble for Aloha. See details below in The Week Ahead….
Here’s the first glimpse of the interior of the Taco Bell coming to Barracks Row at 411 8th Street, SE. A source tell CHC the plan is to open in December or early January.
Blackbird Salon at 8th and Virginia Avenue, SE (which occupies the ground floor corner space at far right in the photo) was probably happy to see the city’s treatment of the scruffy empty lot in front of their store. When the city cleaned up the pile of cut stones salvaged from the demolition of the CSX tunnel and stored underneath the freeway next to Garfield Park, they moved them to this corner. Over the past month, they became the basis for a landscaping project.
The Week Ahead…
Monday, November 24
ANC6A Community Outreach Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
ALOHA – Medical Cannabis Retailer – 539 8th Street SE. Second application for medical cannabis retailer license, including Delivery Endorsement. ANC6B has retained legal counsel (Kerry Verdi) to assist with protest.
For additional information, please contact Ellen Opper-Weiner, Resident Member Chair of ANC 6B Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee at eowlaw@aol.com and Commissioner Samuel Pastore Vice Chair of the ABC Committee at 6B05@anc.dc.gov
Capitol Hill Corner Would Also Like You to Know About:
Now through Sunday, December 7
4th Annual Better Together Small Business Gift Card Exchange
Native American Heritage Day Featuring Hoop Dancer Joseph Secody
Friday, November 28
National Museum of the American Indian: 11:30am – 4:00pm
Learn about the art and power of the Hoop Dance with performances by award-winning dancer Joseph Secody (Navajo). Performances begin at 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:30 PM.
At 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM join curator Anya Montiel (Mestiza/Tohono O’odham descent) for a closer look at the museum’s special installation Making a Statement, featuring custom Gucci gowns worn by actress Lily Gladstone (Siksikaitsitapi [Blackfeet]/Nimiipuu [Nez Perce]) at the 96th Academy Awards.
Eastern Market & Hill is Home Holiday Time Machine (21+ only)
6:00pm – 10:00pm
Eastern Market’s Holiday Time Machine promises to be a homegrown, historic antidote to the impersonal shopping experience of Black Friday: a festive gathering of local makers and artists, plus the introduction of delicious, social-media ready hot chocolate drink by Melt by Hippie Sippin.’ Republic Restoratives, a small batch, women-owned distillery will be at the event, offering samples of their award-winning spirits.
The event – co-hosted by local blog The Hill is Home – is a preview of the entire holiday experience. For only $30 at the door or $25 for early-birds who buy online, you can attend a holiday party you actually want to go to… Go here for more https://www.thehollydays.com/ and here for tickets https://bit.ly/4rfcftn
Labyrinth Games and Puzzles at 645 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, hosts their Annual Staff Cookie battle to benefit Toys for Tots. Staff members bake cookies (subsidized by management). Customers eat the cookies, vote for their favorites with donations and the cookie that earns the most wins. All of the donations go to Toys for Tots.
Sunday, November 30
11:00am – 1:00pm
Eastern Market.
The Betty the Yeti Welcome and Parade (all ages!)
Santa Claus – who will appear Saturdays from 11am to 1pm at the Market, and iconic cryptid Betty the Yeti – who will appear Sundays from 11am to 1pm.
Monday, December 1
Leaf Collection in underway. Here’s a link to DPW’s real-time leaf collection tracker. https://dpw.dc.gov/leaf (The search for your home address doesn’t appear to be working, but you can track which neighborhoods and undergoing leaf collections. Monday, December 1, leaf pick up will start in Section C.)
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Tonight: Tree Lighting on Eastern Market Metro Plaza & Schedule for Capitol Hill’s Holiday Events
By Larry Janezich
Posted November 22, 2025
The Capitol Hill Holiday Tree Await’s Tonight’s Illumination at 5:30pm on Eastern Market Metro Plaza
Saturday, September 29th – Small Business Saturday –Labyrinth Games and Puzzles at 645 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, hosts their Annual Staff Cookie battle to benefit Toys for Tots. (See below)
Schedule of Events:
Saturday, Nov 22
Capitol Hill BID’s 19th Annual Capitol Hill Tree Lighting.
5:30pm
Eastern Market Metro Park
“Men in Blue” will serve hot chocolate and doughnuts while local musical groups perform.
Entertainment: Joyous Voices, Washington Men’s Camerata, Capitol Hill Chorale, and Capitol Hill Arts Workshop’s Suzuki Strings
Masters of Ceremonies: Kojo Nnamdi and Tom Sherwood
All festivities will be held at the tree known as “Sonny” in the SW Quadrant of Eastern Market Metro Plaza (Corner of 7th and D St SE). Members of the Didden family will flip the switch to illuminate the tree that was planted to honor the late George Didden III for his many contributions to the Capitol Hill community.
Also, launching of 4th Annual Better Together Small Business Gift Card Exchange running Saturday, November 22 through Sunday, December 7, 2025.
Outside on 7th St. SE and NC Avenue SE. During the outdoor market from 10am until 3pm, shoppers can find the Jazz Café – green bistro tables and chairs at the north end of 7th Street, SE.
Eastern Market & Hill is Home Holiday Time Machine (21+ only)
6:00pm – 10:00pm
Eastern Market’s Holiday Time Machine promises to be a homegrown, historic antidote to the impersonal shopping experience of Black Friday: a festive gathering of local makers and artists, plus the introduction of delicious, social-media ready hot chocolate drink by Melt by Hippie Sippin.’ Republic Restoratives, a small batch, women-owned distillery will be at the event, offering samples of their award-winning spirits.
The event – co-hosted by local blog The Hill is Home – is a preview of the entire holiday experience. For only $30 at the door or $25 for early-birds who buy online, you can attend a holiday party you actually want to go to… Go here for more https://www.thehollydays.com/ and here for tickets https://bit.ly/4rfcftn
Saturday, September 29th Small Business Saturday
Labyrinth Games and Puzzles at 645 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, hosts their Annual Staff Cookie battle to benefit Toys for Tots.
10:00am
Members of the staff bake cookies (subsidized by management). Customers eat the cookies, vote for their favorites with donations and the cookie that earns the most wins. All of the donations go to Toys for Tots.
Sunday, November 30
11:00am – 1:00pm
Eastern Market.
The Betty the Yeti Welcome and Parade (all ages!) Santa Claus, who will appear Saturdays from 11am to 1pm at the Market, and iconic cryptid Betty the Yeti, who will appear Sundays from 11am to 1pm.
Monday, December 1
The Barrack’s Row and Eastern Market Main Street’s Sip and Shop.
5::00pm – 8:00pm – with wine tastings and exclusive in-store specials.
Co-hosted by the BID and Hill Havurah, the annyual event celebrates Hanukkah on the front steps of Reformation (212 East Capitol Street NE). This year’s celebration will take place on the second night of Hanukkah.
The 9-foot Menorah was gifted to the Capitol Hill Community in 2014 by the Capitol Hill Business Improvement District in honor of past Chairman of the Board and Community Leader, Paul L. Pascal, Esq. The “Men in Blue” will serve jelly donuts and hot cocoa.
Capitol Hill’s Small Business Gift Card Exchange Starts Saturday, November 22
by Larry Janezich
Posted November 21, 2025
A slew of Capitol Hill business organizations are sponsoring the 4th Annual Better Together Small Business Gift Card Exchange running Saturday, November 22 through Sunday, December 7, 2025. The event is one of two local promotion efforts to encourage community support for local small businesses this holiday season. This Saturday launches the holiday season with the lighting of the Capitol Hill Holiday Tree at Eastern Market Metro Park starting at 5:30pm.
Here’s how the exchange works: shop at any of the 31 participating business (see below) between 11/22 and 12/7 and receive a free gift card from another local favorite. Some terms apply and gifts are available while supplies last.
Participating Businesses include:
Eastern Market Pottery, Clothes Encounters, Relume, Photopia, La Casina, Music on the Hill,
Labyrinth Games & Puzzles, Hill’s Kitchen, East City Bookshop, Mr. Henry’s, Barrel, Little District Books, Awakening Bar & Grill, DCANTER Wine Boutique, Ambar, Frame of Mine, The Miracle Theatre, Bistro Cacao, Café Berlin, The Queen Vic, Granville Moore’s, The Pug, City Dogs, Jade Fitness, Hill East Burger, The DC Dentist, Ginkgo Gardens, Santa Rosa Taqueria, Good Stuff Eatery, We, the Pizza, Hawk & Dove.
Launched by Kathleen Donahue, owner of Labyrinth Games & Puzzles, during the post-COVID recovery, Better Together celebrates the strength and spirit of Capitol Hill’s small business community. Shopping local means investing in your community – supporting the people, schools, and organizations that make Capitol Hill thrive.
The second event is The Barrack’s Row and Eastern Market Main Street’s Sip and Shop onMonday, December 1 from 5pm to 8pm with wine tastings and exclusive in-store specials. DCanter will be providing different wines to each location so it will be a walking wine tasting.
Participating businesses include:
Clothes Encounters DC, Eastern Market Pottery, Refume, Capitol Hill Books, Groovy DC Cards and Gifts, Paris Bleu, Spin Time Records, East City Books, Labyrinth, Hills Kitchen, DCanter.
Update on Spotify’s Purchase of 440 New Jersey Avenue, SE
by Larry Janezich
Posted November 19, 2025
Last week, ANC6B discussed the Historic Preservation Application by the $137 billion Spotify Corporation (headquartered in Stockholm but operating in the US through one of its subsidiaries, Spotify USA). The company recently purchased the residence at 440 New Jersey Avenue, SE, along with the adjoining garage/carriage house at 435 1st St SE. The company plans to renovate the property.
According to ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee Chair Vince Marino, “…the renovations themselves are minor and clearly designed to respect the property’s history, so no one on the ANC objects to them as such.”
Some members of the Committee, however, are concerned about Spotify’s claim that it does not need an exemption from zoning regulations for the residential property, because they fear Spotify will use the property for commercial purposes at the expense of the residential fabric of the neighborhood – as has happened with other residential properties on the block.
Marino says, “One may suspect that Spotify might succumb to the temptation to use the home as an employee hotel, or as a lobbying office. Spotify denies that it will. But that’s certainly what we seem to be seeing with many other Capitol Hill homes owned by corporations and advocacy groups. … We need to have a neighborhood-wide conversation about whether more areas should be upzoned for mixed use and/or higher density.
ANC6B went on to unanimously approve a proposal to designate ANC6B Commissioner Tyler Wolanin – in whose single member district 440 New Jersey is located – to attempt to reach a settlement agreement with Spotify.
Marino says, “We hope that such a settlement agreement would confirm that Spotify will indeed use 440 New Jersey Avenue SE as a residence rather than as a hotel or office. This would provide Spotify with the reassurance that we are not trying to evict them, and it would provide the neighbors with the reassurance that ANC6B is trying to contain the situation, one home at a time, while the BZA and the City Council work on a broader solution to the tight property market.”
The Week Ahead…& Some Day of the Dead Photos from the Past Week
By Larry Janezich
Posted November 2, 2025
The National Community Church (NCC) will launch $5M renovation of historic Navy Yard Car Barn – according to a story by Daniel Sernovits in the Washington Business Journal. NCC Pastor Mark Batterson plans on turning the “Capitol Turnaround” – formerly and informally named “The Blue Castle” at 8th and M Streets, SE, into an event space with a coffee shop. CHC talked to events staff who said that the 8th Street and M Street sides of the building will be renovated to provide event space. Another venture owned by NCC – “Ebenezers Coffeehouse” – will be located inside the main entrance at the corner of 8th and M Streets. The original Ebenezers, founded in 2006, is at 201 F Street, NE.
Here’s the space inside the main entrace at 8th and M Street, SE, which will be the future home of Ebenezers Coffee House.
Día de los Muertos at Congressional Cemetery. This day is a tradition that honors loved ones who have passed, celebrating the ongoing bond between the living and the dead. Millions in Mexico, Latin America, and beyond celebrate by creating colorful ofrendas (altars) to welcome spirits back to the earthly world.
Sunday, November 2, was the cemetery’s second celebration of Día de los Muertos, where the chapel in the center of the cemetery was transformed into a place of learning, remembrance, community gathering, and celebration of the “Day of the Dead.”
The ofrenda alter is traditionally set up in the home to honor decease loved ones and decorated with marigolds, photographs of the deceased, candles, and offerings like sugar skulls, favorite foods, drinks, mementos and religious symbols. Key elements often include references to the four elements: water, aid, earth and fire. The paper banners (papel picado) represent air.
Here’s a detail photo of the main altar.
Visitors decorate traditional sugar skulls and craft paper flowers.
A festival atmosphere dominates Dios de los Muertos as relatives and friends celebrate those who have gone before them and joyfully welcome their spiritual return.
This free community event is made possible by the Congressional Cemetery’s nonprofit, The Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery.
The Week Ahead…
Highlight: Tuesday: First District MPD Community Advisory Committee Meeting. Discussion: The Wharf and Navy Yard Juvenile Safety Concerns. See below.
Highlight: Thursday. Free John Philip Sousa Birthday Concert at Congressional Cemetery. See below under “Capitol Hill Cornor Would Also Like You to Know About:”
Monday, November 3
ANC6C ABC Committee is scheduled to hold a meeting at 7:00pm, but has not posted an agenda.
Presentation by DC Sentencing Commission on Homicide and Car Jacking Convictions
The Wharf and Navy Yard Juvenile Safety Concerns
3rd – 14th Streets NE Safety concerns
G-K Streets NE Safety Concerns
Burglaries, Carjacking/Stolen Autos and Homicide Reports
Policing 14th Place and 15th Street, NE
Policing North Capitol Street, NE/NW
ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee will hold a hybrid meeting at 7:00pm.
Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; Second Floor, Conference Room 1 (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).
For info on how to join the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
ABC Renewals
Hawk N’ Dove – 329 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Renewal of Class “C” Tavern License with Cover Charge, Dancing, Entertainment, and Sidewalk Café Endorsements.
Dos Toros Taqueria – 215 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Renewal of Class “C” Restaurant License with Sidewalk Café Endorsements.
Kaiju Ramen – 525 8th Street SE. Renewal of Class “C” Tavern License with Sidewalk Café and Summer Garden Endorsements.
Lola’s – 711 8th Street SE. Renewal of Class “C” Tavern License with Entertainment and Sidewalk Café Endorsements.
Hill East Burger – 1432 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Renewal of Class “C” Tavern License with Entertainment and Sidewalk Café Endorsements.
Protests & Other Updates
Ambar – 523 8th Street SE. Ongoing negotiation regarding settlement agreement and protest hearing. Parties have requested continuance while discussions proceed.
ALOHA – Medical Cannabis Retailer (Second Application) – 539 8th Street SE. Second application for medical cannabis retailer license, including Delivery Endorsement. ANC6B has retained legal counsel (Kerry Verdi) to assist with protest. (Roll Call Hearing 11/03/25)
Continue Discussion for “Vision for Barracks Row”/Roundtable Planning
Consideration of Letter Regarding Cannabis Licensees
Wednesday, November 5
ANC6B Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
For info on how to join the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
DDOT Update on Penn/Potomac Intersection Redesign Project
Calming Measures at 6th & G SE
Issues at Capitol South Metro
Speeding in Barracks Row Alleys
Automated Curb Management
ANC6C Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Congressional Cemetery Event:
Thursday, November 6, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm. Free, but please register here: https://bit.ly/47vGNzr
John Philip Sousa Birthday Concert 2025. Please join Congressional Cemetery and the Marine Band, “The President’s Own,” for a celebration of the life and legacy of John Philip Sousa. The Marine Band plays the music the “March King” composed at his graveside every year on his birthday and the public is welcome and encouraged to attend, for free!
Congressional Cemetery will start the program at 12:30 pm with a short awards ceremony, followed by a brief lecture by a John Philip Sousa impersonator.
The Marine Corps band will enter through the 17th Street gate at precisely 1:00 PM for a 25 minute concert at the grave site, located near the chapel.
Folger Library Event.
Friday, Nov 7–9. Virtuosos of Violin and Verse. Tickets start at $20.
Folger Consort, in a special collaboration with the O.B. Hardison Poetry Series, will open its 2025-2026 season of “exquisitely played programs”
Wolfgang Puck’s Place in Union Station. Here are some photos of where Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant is going to be in Union Station, and a rendering of what it’s going to look like. It will be at the top of the escalator – which from the mezzanine – will lead UNIQLO on the west end of Union Station.
On the right hand side of the up escalator in the space formerly occupied by Pizzaria Uno is where you’ll find Wolfgang Puck’s BAR + Bites.
And here’s an architect’s rendering of what it’s going to look like.
Construction Update on SE Library Renovation. Photos from the DC Library’s October 23 Construction update – a view of the skylight from the historic entrance on 7th Street, and the view from the inside looking toward the historic entrance. (Apparently the postings on the bulletin boards inside the historic entrance will be last to go of the interior features of the original libarary.)
Inside the universal entrance at the South Carolina Entrance at street level.
Photo of the glass façade and canopy at the South Carolina Avenue Entrance. For more, go here: SE Library Construction Update for October 23: http://bit.ly/4noq3yI
Triple Candies’ monthly installations in the former Li’l Pub at 655 Pennsylvania Avenue,SE. For nearly 50hears, DC artist Betsy Packard has transferred the objects she encountered in her life into art:paintings made from dryer lint; tapestries sewn with used clothes and hair clippings: and toys. Accoring to curators Triple Candies, her work references Constructibism, Surrealism, Pop Art, Nouveau Realism, Fluxus, Feminist Art, etc. Triple Candies is a research-oriented curatorial agency run by art historian co-founders Shelly Bancroft and Peter Nesbett.
The Week Ahead….
Highlight: Monday, ANC6B Public Safety Committee discussion with DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb. 7:00pm. See below.
Monday, October 27
ANC6A Community Outreach Committee holds and IN PERSON meeting at 7:00pm.
Location: 1207 H Street NE (Old Autozone Building).
Among items on the draft agenda:
Announcements and Reminders: People’s Front of H Street, Sunday Clean ups in 6A01.
Meet your ANC Commissioner.
FreeDC with COC Member Ashley Blake.
ANC6B Public Safety Committee will hold a hybrid meeting at 6:30pm.
Physical Location: 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE, 2nd Floor – Conference Room #2 (Entrance Adjacent to Trader Joe’s)
For info on how to join the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
Briefing from MPD 1st District (Captain Crist).
Discussion with DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb.
Planning for next meeting.
ANC6B Southeast Library Task Force will hold a hybrid meeting at 6:30pm.
Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; Second Floor, Conference Room #1 (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).
For info on how to join the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
Update on renovation from Jaspreet Pahwa, of the library system (DCPL), & from Terri Bosnick, of general contractor Whiting Turner.
Discuss progress on maintaining & expanding access to the interim library at the Arthur Capper Recreation Center, 1000 5th St., SE.
Tuesday, October 28
ANC6A Alcohol Beverage & Cannabis Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Saturday, November 1
CHRS House Expo Set for Saturday, November 1, in the North Hall of Eastern Market.
The Expo connects homeowners with contractors & experts. Free House Expo is hosted by the Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS) , from 9am to 3pm Saturday, November 1, in Eastern Market’s North Hall.
A “Day of the Dead” celebration in collaboration with Capitol Hill resident Rosa Moreno. The public is invited to contribute memories to a shared ofrenda. 11:00 am – 3:00 pm.
Folger Library Tours: Tuesday – Friday | 11:30am – 4:30pm | Each tour lasts 1 hour. We invite groups of all ages to sign up for guided tours of the Folger’s building and grounds. All tours are led by experienced guides who can share details about the Folger’s collection, the architecture of the building, and fascinating facts about Shakespeare, his world, and our own. Priced at $25 per person with discounts for student groups, tours must be booked at least two weeks in advance. Special student experiences are also available for classes. http://bit.ly/43t0LYS
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Map of the proposed land swap. The deal involved exchanging a 15 acre parcel of land in the SE corner of the Navy Yard (blue at lower right) for a 6 acre GSA parcel just outside the NW corner of the Navy Yard on M Street SE (red at upper left).
Secretary of Navy John Phelan has withdrawn the Navy from the land swap agreement it forged with the DC city government announced last year to construct a “National Museum of the United States Navy” near the Navy Yard.
This news came from former Secretary of the Navy, Kenneth Braithwaite, who serves as the chair of the Naval Museum Development Foundation, as first reported in Tuesday Tidings, the newsletter of the National Maritime Historical Society. See the October 21, 2025 edition of the newsletter here: https://seahistory.org/education/navyhistory/)
During a Q&A session in last week’s annual “Congress” of the Naval Order of the United States held in Philadelphia, Braithwaite announced that Secretary Phelan has pulled the Navy out of the deal for construction of the long-awaited museum, halting his fundraising efforts pending identification of a new site. The Navy had expected to open the museum by 2030.
Last October, city officials, including DC Deputy Mayor Nina Albert, attended a ceremony at the M Street site to celebrate the construction of the museum, envisioned as “an enduring memorial to honor the service of American Sailors, inspire selfless service, and enhance public understanding of the Navy’s history and heritage.” See here: http://bit.ly/3WSv7jR
No other details were forthcoming, though Tuesday Tidings added that “an overview of previous sites considered for the Navy Museum will be provided in next week’s TT.” During the selection process, 42 potential sites in 18 cities were considered for the location of the museum before the Navy chose DC. Other candidates included San Diego, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston and Norfolk.
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Photo Essay: Dedication of Hill Center’s New Gathering Space
By Larry Janezich
Posted October 2, 2025
Wednesday night, The Hill Center dedicated and celebrated the opening of its new community space – seating in the round for the Center’s outdoor activities and public gatherings. The space is named in honor of Hill Center visionary John Franzén. Franzén, who died in 2020, was one of the Center’s founding board members and a former president of the Old Naval Hospital Foundation which created Hill Center.
Some two hundred community members participated in the event. Radio host, author and podcaster Bill Press was the master of ceremonies and recounted Franzén’s efforts leading Congress gifting the former Old Naval Hospital to the District and the sites subsequent transformation into the Hill Center which opened in 2011.
Mayor Bowser had planned to attend, but the closing of the federal government disrupted her schedule. Press introduced the speakers which included Jennifer Cartland, President of the Hill Center Board of Directors; Ward Six Councilmember Charles Allen; Nate Franzén, a nephew of Johnathon who represented the family; and Mary Early, sculptor and juror of the six sculptures featured in the opening of the new sculpture garden.
In his remarks, Allen paid tribute to Franzen’s vision of community: “This is a space where you’ll run into friends whenever you come here…a place where the community can all come together. John saw value in creating this space…he talked about the power of community and wanted to be part of making that community. We are now a part of that effort and will carry it forward.”
Following the dedication of the space, Mary Early, sculptor and juror spoke to the dedication of the newly established Hill Center Outdoor sculpture garden and announced the Best of Show: “X and Why” by Luc Fiedler.
Here are the six pieces inaugurating the new garden display. The garden will feature a rotating exhibit featuring primarily local artists. The current exhibition will continue through March of 2026.
Left to right: Searching, by Nicholas Femia; Split Decision, by Todd Smitn; Repose, by Mimi Frank and Breon Gilleran. Roots in Black and White, by Dalya Luttwak; Acorn, by Kirk Seese; and Best of Show, X and Why, by Luc Fieller.
Herb Scott, founder of the Capitol Hill Jazz Foundation, and his band provided entertainment for the reception before and following the dedication.
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The wrought iron entrance to Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E Street, SE. The gate house is at left.
Anthony “A.J.” Orlikoff, Interim Director of the Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery
It’s easy to overlook the community building attributes of Congressional Cemetery. In truth, the cemetery is powerful unifying force on Capitol Hill.
CHC interviewed Anthony “A.J.” Orlikoff, Interim Director of the Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery: “Cemeteries need to be places of solemn contemplation of grief or mourning – they need to be that space – but what we’re seeing now across North America is cemeteries more as places of community, engaging people in different ways. There are a lot of reasons for that and it comes out of communities themselves organizing and using these places.”
We take cemeteries for granted until they fill up and are taken for granted. Their fortunes wax and wane, driven by demographics and other factors, and Congressional Cemetery’s history has been one of periods of prominence and affluence and then periods of decline.
Orlikoff says, “Congressional cemetery was in decline in the 1980s and when you look at the cemetery as a community building organization it really starts with a group of neighbors who lived nearby in the late 1980s that began walking their dogs here and they realized, ‘Hey, this amazing historic place that I’m walking my dog in is really overgrown and it’s dangerous and there’s open-air crime.’”
Asserting that this was not something they wanted in the neighborhood, neighbors began organizing the first group of community dog walkers and started thinking about raising money to hire a landscaper and about alerting MPD on some of the criminal activity on the grounds. As the conditions improved, the cemetery started filling with people who appreciated the green space and cared about the community. Orlikoff said, “And so it really was from this kernel of community that you can chart the activity that led to calls to Congress to save the cemetery and the later appropriation of funds.” Congress now provides matching funds for the Congressional Cemetery Endowment administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
And the dog walkers are now organized as the K-9 Corps. They have a committee made up of K-9 members which oversees the dog walkers’ use of the cemetery by the Corp’s 700 families and 1,000 dogs. Those families constitute the core of the Congressional Cemetery community, but equally important (though more loosely organized) are the component parts of the community within the larger community. This includes the large number of residents and visitors who attend and participate in the cemetery’s programs. Some of these programs are the Cinamatery (the outdoor summer movie screenings), 5k races (including the upcoming Dead Man’s Run), tours (including the upcoming historically theatrical outdoor Soul Stroll Tours), the Death Awareness program, the Bee Keeping program and the Book Club. In addition to the attendees, there are hundreds of community volunteers ranging from tour guides to Adopt-A- Plot volunteers to Association Board members.
There’s considerable overlap with respect to the contributions of volunteers and Orlikoff says, “You need to have harmony – you need everybody in the symphony kind of playing together or it’s just going to be 21 notes.“
Congressional Cemetery held its Spring Fair on Sunday, March 30, featuring more than two dozen vendors, an Introduction to Green Burial in the Chapel, a tour of historical trees and grave sites, and a presentation on Equinox Gardening.
Orlikoff is a historian by profession and came to Congressional Cemetery after working as a contractor for both the Navy and Army at several military museums. He says, “I see myself as a history translator – someone who can help people find the meaning in those things that maybe otherwise could be inaccessible, and you do that through programming and education. So when I heard about the opportunity here at Congressional Cemetery for a Director of Programming position it was a perfect fit for me.” That was three years ago. When the then-Director of the Association Jackie Spainhour left last January, Orlikoff was named Interim Director by the Association’s Board. He says he is proud of his work since then, including supporting the team of professionals working at the cemetery even in areas outside of his expertise. He also counts the collective effort of the team in the World Pride programming this year, and especially becoming part of and getting up to speed on the newly initiated Master Plan – an expansive project to chart the next two decades of the cemetery’s future which had just launched when he took the job of Interim Director.
The Master Plan Initiative came about because one of the major issues facing Congressional Cemetery is the question of how to sustain the cemetery after running out of space – how to make it a place people will continue to want to support.
Orlikoff says that many cemeteries have to figure out how to keep the cemetery going with a model that is ultimately unsustainable once capacity for full casket site burial is reached: “How do you pivot – how do you change those revenues? What we’re trying to do is pivot and become more of a nonprofit model. And the strategy is to find ways to maximize what site space is left – because there’s not much (hundreds but not thousands of burial sites) – and then really adopt a nonprofit model that relies on programming and institutional giving and development.”
There are three primary components addressed in the Master Plan: storm water management (the cemetery has a drainage issue – never good in a cemetery), burial site expansion (including the development of columbariums for the interment of ashes), and enhancing the visitor experience (including things like gatehouse and chapel upgrade, signage, etc.).
The Board will continue seeking community feedback on the Master Plan throughout the process; the next community meeting will be October 15 at Christ’s Church. The Board is scheduled to receive a finalized Master Plan in February of 2026. After that, Orlikoff says, the Board will be undertaking several fundraising initiatives to realize the plan.
Orlikoff says of the cemetery, “It’s a place for people who love history – it’s a place for people who want to walk their dog. It’s a people place for people who love nature – it’s a place for people who want to attend our programs. But most of all it’s a place where living people want to come and gather. And we’re always going to be taking care of our first mission as a place of grief and solemn contemplation in mourning. We always have to remember that we still serve families. It’s our original mission. But cemeteries can be so much more than just that and I think that’s something that we’re really helping chart for North American cemeteries.”
The Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit who realizes its mission in large part through charitable donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. For more, including a calendar of events and programs and how to support, go here: https://congressionalcemetery.org/
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 