Foggy Bottom in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Bench By The Road
There is no place you or I can go, to think about or not think about, to summon the presences of, or recollect the absences of slaves; nothing that reminds us of the ones who made the journey and of those who did not make it. There is no suitable memorial or plaque or wreath or wall or park or skyscraper lobby. There is no three-hundred-foot tower. There's no small bench by the road.-Toni Morrison 1989
The Bench by the Road Project was launched by the Toni Morrison Society in honor of Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison. This Bench is placed in recognition of the racial integration of Lisner Auditorium. On October 29, 1946, the opening night of the play Joan of Lorraine as the first commercial theater production in the Lisner Auditorium, the building was surrounded by protesters and picket lines. The protests were inspired by lead actress Ingrid Bergman, who was outraged by the theater's policy of racial discrimination. In response to continuing protests by the American Veterans Committee and others, the George Washington University Board of Trustees, in an action in 1947, decided that the university would no longer impose restrictions on attendance at the auditorium. This Bench provides a space for all who pass to contemplate the injustice of segregation—the enduring legacy
this page online
Erected 2011 by The George Washington University.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is October 29, 1946.
Location. 38° 53.967′ N, 77° 2.81′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Foggy Bottom. Marker is on 21st Street Northwest south of H Street Northwest, on the right when traveling north. On the grounds of the Lisner Auditorium. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 730 21st St NW, Washington DC 20052, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. GW's River Horse (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.
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Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 15, 2017
2. A Bench By The Road Marker with Bench in the Background
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 15, 2017
4. Plaque on A Bench by the Road
A Bench by the Road
Placed by Evelyn and Scott Schreiber
and
The George Washington University
September 21, 2011
Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 384 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 15, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
