Georgetown in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Parrott Ropewalk
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 14, 2013
1. Parrott Ropewalk Marker
The ropewalk receives its name from the long path used for the laying out of individual yarns of rope prior to twisting them together.
Rope making was accomplished by first combing hemp and attaching it to a clockwise revolving hook spinning it into yarns.
Several yarns were then attached to separate hooks and twisted together counterclockwise to form strands. These three strands were twisted together clockwise again making rope.
Because of the constant change in direction, the rope would not unravel. If a larger rope was needed, three ropes could be twisted together to form anchor cable.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location. 38° 54.781′ N, 77° 3.647′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Georgetown. Marker can be reached from the intersection of R Street Northwest and Avon Place Northwest, on the left when traveling east. Marker is in Montrose Park in Georgetown Heights. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3048 R Street Northwest, Washington DC 20007, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are
this page online
Additional commentary.
1. Elderslie, Parrott's Woods and the Ropewalk
Industrialist Richard Parrott put together a large property here between 1804 and 1813. He built a ropewalk and a Federal Style mansion house he called Elderslie. The area around including the grounds of Oak Hill Cemetery came to be known as "Parrott's Woods." The property passed to Clement Smith in 1822 when Parrott died. In 1837 it became the property of Mary McEwan Boyce and later the property of her husband Captain William Boyce. The Boyce's named the the place Montrose. In 1911 the property became Montrose Park after extensive lobbying by Sarah Rittenhouse. The decaying house was torn down and formal grounds were designed by George Burnap and Horace Peaslee under supervision by the Commission on the Fine Arts and Frederick Law Olmstead.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 14, 2013
2. Parrott Ropewalk Marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 15, 2013
3. Ropewalk
The wooden "top" keeps the strands separate until they are twisted together.
Close-up of image on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 14, 2013
4. Some common types of rope
Hauser Laid 3 strands laid right-handed or "with the sun".
Shroud Laid 4 strands with the sun.
Cable Laid 3 strands of 3 yarns each laid against the sun.
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A Strand is made of two or more rope yarns.
Close-up of image on marker
Shroud Laid 4 strands with the sun.
Cable Laid 3 strands of 3 yarns each laid against the sun.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 14, 2013
5. The Armillary Sphere at Montrose Park
Sarah Louisa
Rittenhouse
1845 - 1942
This memorial erected by the Georgetown Garden Club in 1956 marks the location of the old mansion house.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 14, 2013
6. Montrose Park
1911
1911
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service.
National Park Service.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,088 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 16, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
