Foggy Bottom in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
GW's River Horse
[Lisner Auditorium]
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, September 4, 2011
1. GW's River Horse Marker
Legend has it that the Potomac was once home to these wondrous beasts.
George and Martha Washington are even said to have watched them cavort in the river shallows from the porch of their beloved Mount Vernon on summer evenings.
Credited with enhancing the fertility of the plantation, the Washingtons believed the hippopotamus brought them good luck and children on the estate often attempted to lure the creatures close enough to the shore to touch a nose for good luck.
So, too, may generations of students of The George Washington University.
Erected 1996 by GWU Class of 2000.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Colonial Era • Paleontology. In addition, it is included in the Believe It or Not, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 2000.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. 38° 53.969′ N, 77° 2.807′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Foggy Bottom. Marker is at the intersection of 21st Street Northwest and H Street Northwest, on the right when traveling
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A Bench By The Road (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named GW's River Horse (a few steps from this marker); George Gamow (within shouting distance of this marker); Professors Gate (within shouting distance of this marker); At GW, Being Bright Comes Naturally (within shouting distance of this marker); Edward Teller (within shouting distance of this marker); Announcement of the Atomic Age (within shouting distance of this marker); Free Mandela (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
More about this marker.
Art for wisdom,
Science for joy,
Politics for beauty,
And a Hippo for hope.
A Gift to the George Washington University Class of 2000
August 28, 1996
**********************
The George Washington University, Washington, DC
John D. Zeghs – Chair, Board of Trustees
Stephen Joel Trachtenberg – President
Damian A. McKenna – President, Student Association
John G. Boswell – Chair, Faculty Senate Executive Committee
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, September 4, 2011
2. GW's River Horse Marker
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker which has different content.
Also see . . .
1. Lisner Auditorium. (Submitted on September 6, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. Trachtenberg reveals truth behind hippo. Article in the Washington Examiner from October 20, 2008. (Submitted on July 17, 2020, by Wendy Friday of Gibsonton, Florida.)
Additional keywords. sculpture; Potomac River; Lisner Auditorium
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, September 4, 2011
3. GW's River Horse Marker
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, September 4, 2011
4. GW's River Horse Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,825 times since then and 61 times this year. Last updated on September 10, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 6, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
