Georgetown in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Volta Place: A Place in History
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 21, 2018
South of the park is the charmingly restored Pomander Walk, an alley once known as Bell's Court. Named for Alexander Graham Bell, who lived and worked at the west end of Volta Place, the alley's ten tiny dwellings each sheltered two African American families who worked as domestics and laborers. The houses had no running water or electricity. By the late 1940s the families were evicted as part of the city's effort to eliminate substandard housing.
At the west end of Volta Place is the Volta Bureau. It is the headquarters of the Alexander Graham Bell Associated for the Deaf, founded by Bell to promote teaching deaf children to speak. Bell made many scientific inventions, notably the telephone and the phonograph record, but this great passion was helping the deaf. The Bureau was named for the Volta Prize, awarded to Bell by France for scientific achievement in electricity. Helen Keller, the deaf and blind woman who inspired millions turned the sod at the groundbreaking in 1893. Bell's parents lived at 1527 35th Street, and the inventor used the small stucco carriage house behind as a workshop.
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the DC, Art on Call series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1769.
Location. 38° 54.585′ N, 77° 3.882′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Georgetown. Marker is at the intersection of Volta Place Northwest and Wisconsin Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling east on Volta Place Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3200 Volta Place Northwest, Washington DC 20007, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Montgomery Tavern and Slave Pen (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. John's: 200 Years of History (about 700 feet away); Kitchen Yard (about 700 feet away); Garage (about 700 feet away); Georgetown Theater, Slave Pen, and the Marshall Family (about 700
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 21, 2018
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 21, 2018
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 536 times since then and 124 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 21, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.