Pleasant Plains in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Will Marion Cook Family Residence Site
2232 Sixth Street, NW
— African American Heritage Trail, Washington DC —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 22, 2017
1. Will Marion Cook Family Residence Site Marker
Will Marion Cook (1869-1944) was an internationally renowned violinist and composer. After studying music at Oberlin College (Ohio) and the National Conservatory of Music (New York), Cook turned to creating musical comedies. Among them was Clorindy, the Origin of the Cakewalk, the first musical comedy written, directed, and performed entirely by African American artists. Later Cook's New York Syncopated Orchestra toured Europe, playing classical music and introducing audiences to American Jazz.
Cook's father, John Hartwell Cook, graduated from Howard University Law School in 1871. His son, Mercer Cook (1903-1987), taught Romance languages at Howard and later served as a U.S. ambassador. The family home once stood at this spot.
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the African American Heritage Trail, and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.
Location. 38° 55.264′ N, 77° 1.258′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Pleasant Plains. Marker is at the intersection
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tau Beta Pi (within shouting distance of this marker); Andrew F. Hilyer Residence Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Sara Winifred Brown, M.D. (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cleaning Up Cowtown (about 300 feet away); Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (about 400 feet away); Phi Beta Sigma (about 400 feet away); Day of Honor 2000 (about 500 feet away); Fortitude (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
More about this marker.
Image caption:
Will Marion Cook
Moorland-Springarn Research Center, Howard University
Also see . . . Will Marion Cook Family Residence Site, African American Heritage Trail. (Submitted on December 22, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
Additional keywords. HBCUs
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 22, 2017
2. Will Marion Cook Family Residence Site Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 294 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 22, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
