Woodland in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Litter Bell

By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 4, 2025

1. The Litter Bell Marker

Inscription.
Over 150 pounds of copper and copper allows were collected by community organizations from DC-area parks and riverbanks in the summer of 2024. These metals were melted down to cast this new bell, aptly named the Litter Bell.

The Litter Bell was rung at the Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum on January 1, 2025 as part of the National Bell Festival.

Erected 2025 by Smithsonian Institution.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list.

Location. 38° 51.42′ N, 76° 58.613′ W. Marker is in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Woodland. It is on Fort Place Southeast east of Pearson Place Southeast, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1901 Fort Pl SE, Washington DC 20020, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

It is also

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in the American Northeast,

in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Anacostia River: People and Places (here, next to this marker); The Anacostia River: Pride and Preservation (a few steps from this marker); A Museum Without Walls (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to the Demonstration Garden (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named A Museum Without Walls (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery Ricketts (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Freedom Grove (1838) (approx. 0.3 miles away); Memorial Grove (1841-1895) (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southeast Washington.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Thurgood Marshall (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

The Litter Bell Display on the grounds of the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 4, 2025

2. The Litter Bell Display on the grounds of the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 40 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 4, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.