Mount Vernon Square in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

For the Working People

Midcity at the Crossroads

— Shaw Heritage Trail —

For the Working People Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 16, 2009

1. For the Working People Marker

Inscription.

"There is not a wrong too long endured that we are not determined to abolish." Samuel Gompers.

This large office building opened in 1916 as the headquarters of the American Federation of Labor. With 2.5 million members, this union was the nation's largest and most powerful. The building's design by Milburn, Heister & Co. symbolized the union's maturity and strength.

The AF of L's first president was London-born Samuel Gompers (1850-1924). Gompers immigrated to New York in 1863, became a cigar maker and, in 1873, president of the Cigar Makers Union Local 144. When a number of unions formed the American Federation of Labor in 1886, they elected Gompers president, a position he held until his death. A memorial to Gompers is found nearby at 10th Street and Massachusetts Avenue. The AFL-CIO moved to 18th Street in 1956, and the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitters Industry took its place here.

Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, across the intersection in 1917 for a congregation dating from 1869. In 1935 as the population of nearby Chinatown was peaking, the church invited the Chinese Community Church to share its space. A year later, the church developed the Mount Vernon Players. This drama group welcomed racially integrated

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audiences when most Washington theaters did not. Under Managing Director Edward Mangum and Assistant Managing Director Zelda Fichandler, the group evolved into Arena Stage. In 1950, Arena's first production opened in the former Hippodrome movie theater at 808 K Street, since demolished.

Erected by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number 2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Entertainment • Labor Unions • Landmarks. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks, and the Shaw Heritage Trail series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.

Location. 38° 54.182′ N, 77° 1.425′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Mount Vernon Square. Marker is at the intersection of Mount Vernon Place Northwest (U.S. 1) and 9th Street Northwest (U.S. 1), on the right when traveling west on Mount Vernon Place Northwest. Marker is on the sidewalk at the southwest corner of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 Mount Vernon Place Northwest, Washington DC 20001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Central Public Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Words and Deeds (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 14, 2009

2. For the Working People Marker

with the 1916 AFL headquarters in background across 9th Street, NW.

line); Roots of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral / Remembering "the Village" (about 700 feet away); The Place to Shop (about 700 feet away); Power Brokers (approx. 0.2 miles away); Morrison-Clark Inn (approx. 0.2 miles away); Blanche K. Bruce House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Asbury United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

More about this marker. [Photo Captions:]
Samuel Gompers breaks ground for his union's new headquarters (The George Meany Memorial Archives).

On the AF of L's building, photographed in 1916, you can see the union's seal (The George Meany Memorial Archives).

Mount Vernon Players build a set for their outdoor theater production of Shakespeare in Shirtsleeves on the church plaza, 1947 (The Historical Society of Washington, D.C.).

Arena Stage founders Zelda Fichandler and Edward Mangum on opening night at the old Hippodrome movie theater, 1950 (The Washington Post).

Rev. Carroll Gunkel greets Alan and Beatrice Tok at the

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 14, 2009

3. For the Working People Marker

with the Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church in the background between K Street & Massachusetts Avenue, NW.

Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, 1994 (The Washington Post).

Regarding For the Working People. The American Federation of Labor building was designated an National Historic Landmark in 1974.

Additional keywords. Chinese-Americans AFL Building National Historic Landmark

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,448 times since then and 54 times this year. Last updated on March 8, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 22, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A photo of the marker reverse. • Can you help?