Anacostia Park in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A River of Renewal
Anacostia Park
| — | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | — |
The Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge stands as a tribute to Anacostia's most famous resident, abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Douglass often traveled along the Anacostia's banks on his way to work as publisher of the newspaper New National Era, on business as U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia, or to visit friends on Capitol Hill and at Howard University.
The gentle river, a source of life and business for his community, brought Douglass rest and renewal from his intense career. His home, Cedar Hill, looked out over the Anacostia, and Douglass often walked the shoreline with family and friends. The Douglass home has been an icon in the neighborhood for over half a century.
"How he loved all nature, the flowers, and the grass, and the trees, and the birds, and the drifting clouds, and the blue sky, and the stars. He had the poet's love of nature."
—Rev. Francis J. Grimke's eulogy for Frederick Douglass, 1895
[Captions:]
This historic map of Anacostia from 1892 shows Frederick Douglass's estate, which is less than two miles away. You can retrace his steps and visit his home, which is preserved as a National Park Service Historic Site.
During his walks Douglass frequently collected plant specimens. Many of these flowers and leaves—including wild rose, clover, red maple, honeysuckle, and ferns—were found pressed in the books of his study.
Erected by National
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Horticulture & Forestry • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.
Location. 38° 52.159′ N, 77° 0.023′ W. Marker is in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Anacostia Park. It is on Anacostia Drive Southeast north of South Capitol Street Southeast, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1800 Anacostia Dr, Washington DC 20020, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also 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 North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mildred Belle (approx. ¼ mile away); The River in Focus (approx. ¼ mile away); River Revival
Other markers no longer nearby. Nationals Park (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 99M (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Dock 79 (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Audi Field (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); USDOT (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Bixby (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Lumber Shed (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Twelve12 (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Yards Park (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1221 Van (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 19, 2026
3. The Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, where South Capitol Street crosses the Anacostia River
Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 20, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
