Columbia Heights in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Mansions, Parks, and People
Cultural Convergence
— Columbia Heights Heritage Trail —
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013
1. Mansions, Parks, and People Marker
On your right is Josephine Butler Parks Center, home of Washington Parks & People, a network of groups devoted to DC and its parks. The network's 1927 mansion, which once housed the Hungarian delegation, was part of an embassy row envisioned by Mary Foote Henderson for this area. Henderson built a "castle" across 16th street for her family, and commissioned important architects to create an enclave worthy of important residents. Meridian Hill Park was also a result of her influence. In the 1980s, the park (by then also called Malcolm X Park) had become forbidding and dangerous, and the mansion was vacant. Then Friends of Meridian Hill came together in 1990. By the end of the decade, when Parks & People bought the mansion, the park again thrived. The first phase of the National Park Service's restoration of the park to its original design was completed in 2009.
The Parks Center, housing nonprofit groups, memorializes Josephine Butler (1920-1997), a union and political activist and educator who led Washington Parks & People at the time of her death. Just ahead at the corner of Euclid Street is the Embassy of Ecuador, formerly the Netherlands Embassy. Please proceed through the park and turn right on 16th Street to reach Sign 17. Along the way you'll see Warder-Totten House at 1633 16th. George Oakley Totten Jr.
this page online
Erected by Cultural Heritage DC. (Marker Number 16.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Native Americans. In addition, it is included in the Columbia Heights Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.
Location. 38° 55.347′ N, 77° 2.111′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Columbia Heights. Marker is on 15th Street Northwest south of Euclid Street Northwest, on the right when traveling north. The marker is in front of The Josephine Butler Parks Center at 2437 15th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washington DC 20009, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Visionary and Park Champion (within shouting distance of this marker); Creating the "City Beautiful" (within shouting distance of this marker); Design Challenges (within shouting distance of this marker); Park Designers (within shouting distance of this marker); Campus to Army Camps and Back Again (within shouting distance of this marker); An American Meridian
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013
4. The Josephine Butler Parks Center
This Italian Renaissance revival house at 2437 15th Street was designed by George Oakley Totten for Mary Foote Henderson.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013
5. Welcome to the Josephine Butler Park's Center
"This historic Renaissance Revival mansion was built in 1927 as potential site for the home of the Vice President. It has house the embassies of Brazil and Hungary.
Today it is the headquarters of Washington Parks and People which share's the space with a group of dynamic nonprofit organizations dedicated to advanced inner-city community revitalization, reconnecting people with the land, and using the land to reconnect people with each other." (Sign on the door at 2437 15th Street)
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013
6. El Dorado Gold
El Dorado Gold -- a Pre-Columbian Tolima stylized sculpture in honor of indigenous peoples of the Americas by Allen Uzikee Nelson. Sculpture dedication - February 2008.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013
7. Granny D Tree
The stump of a tree dedicated to Granny D.
Doris Haddock, known as Granny D., was born on January 24, 1910. Josephine Butler was born January 24, 1920.
Doris Haddock, known as Granny D., was born on January 24, 1910. Josephine Butler was born January 24, 1920.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013
8. The Granny D Tree Plaque
Given to her on April 29, 2001
In recognition of her and
Josephine's Birthday of January 24th
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 817 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on March 7, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1. submitted on March 20, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 2, 3. submitted on July 16, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on March 20, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
