The National Mall in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Rick Bartow

Wiyot, 1946-2016

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 3, 2020

1. Rick Bartow Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

We Were Always Here, 2012
Old-growth Western red cedar, Port Orford cedar, old-growth Douglas fir, oak, maple, stain, sealer
26/8842
Commissioned from the artist, 2011

In creating these two poles from a single old-growth cedar tree, artist Rick Bartow drew on patterns and symbols from his Northern California Native heritage. These include Bear's conscientious and protective role as a healer and Raven's playful acts that shaped the world and human society. The horizontal pattern on the poles' bases references the changing tides of Oregon mudflats and symbolizes the flow of knowledge and inheritance—in Bartow's words, "the movement down to generations or up through generations… little waves."

[Spanish translation:]
Rick Bartow
Wiyot, 1946-2016

Siempre estuvimos aquí, 2012
Cedro rojo occidental maduro, cedro de Port Orford, abeto de Douglas maduro, roble, arce, tintura, sellador
26/8842
Comisionado del artista, 2011

Al crear estos dos postes a partir de un único cedro maduro,

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el artista Rick Bartow se inspiró en los patrones y símbolos de su tradición indígena de California del norte. Ellos incluyen el meticuloso papel protector que desempeña Oso como sanador y las juguetonas acciones de Cuervo, que dieron forma al mundo y la sociedad humana. El patrón horizontal que se aprecia en la base de los postes hace referencia a las mareas cambiantes de las marismas de Oregón y simboliza el flujo de conocimiento y el patrimonio cultural. En palabras de Bartow, "el movimiento que asciende o desciende de generación en generación… como olas pequeñas".

Erected 2020 by Smithsonian Institution. (Marker Number 26/8842.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Arts, Letters, Music • Horticulture & Forestry • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 2012.

Location. 38° 53.323′ N, 77° 1.027′ W. Marker is in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in The National Mall. Marker is on Jefferson Drive Southwest just west of 4th Street Southwest, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 482 Independence Ave SW, Washington DC 20024, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cardinal Direction Marker: West (within shouting distance of this marker); Cardinal Direction Marker: North

<i>We Were Always Here</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 3, 2020

2. We Were Always Here

(within shouting distance of this marker); George Rivera (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Traditional Croplands (about 300 feet away); Eastern Meadow (about 300 feet away); Nora Naranjo-Morse (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Nora Naranjo-Morse (about 300 feet away); Cardinal Direction Marker: South (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southwest Washington.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 120 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 3, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.