Penn Quarter in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Clara Barton: Angel of the Battlefield at Home
Civil War to Civil Rights
— Downtown Heritage Trail —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 26, 2022
"I have paid the rent of a room in Washington… retaining it merely as a shelter to which I might return, when my strength should fail me under exposure and labor at the field."
Clara Barton, December 1863
In November 1997, Richard Lyons peered into the dark clutter in the attic of 437 Seventh Street, inspecting the building in preparation for its planned demolition. His eyes settled on a sign, "Missing Soldiers Office, Clara Barton, 3rd Story, room 9." He had stumbled upon, and saved, the home and office of the Civil War nurse and Red Cross founder, known as the Angel of the Battlefield. It was a time capsule. Room 9 was still stenciled on the door; 19th-century wallpaper hung from walls in shreds.
It was from the spot where you now stand that Barton began her work on the Civil War battlefield in 1862, leaving for the front lines at Antietam atop a supply wagon loaded with donated food and medical supplies. She worked as a copyist in the Patent Office at Ninth and F Streets from 1861 to 1865. As a woman, she could not serve in the Union Army, so she devoted herself to feeding, nursing, and comforting thousands of Union wounded in the nation's most costly war, a conflict that took more than 600,000 American lives.
After the war, at her own initiative and expense, Barton made her Seventh Street home a headquarters for the search for missing soldiers. She was eventually paid a flat fee of $15,000 by the government for her efforts. Thus she was the first woman to run a federal office. She received more than 63,000 letters of inquiry and wrote 41,855 replies, in the end identifying about 22,000 of 622,000 missing soldiers.
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number .3.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Heroes • War, US Civil • Women. In addition, it is included in the Clara Barton, and the Downtown Heritage Trail series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1997.
Location. 38° 53.749′ N, 77° 1.311′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in the Penn Quarter. Marker is on 7th Street Northwest just south of E Street Northwest, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 450 7th St NW, Washington DC 20004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Missing Soldiers (a few steps from this marker); "Blodget's Hotel" (within shouting distance of this marker); Samuel F. B. Morse (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Roots of Freedom and Equality
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 26, 2022
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker, which had slightly different text.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 26, 2022
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 105 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 27, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.