Columbia Heights in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Visionary and Park Champion

Meridian Hill Park, National Historic Landmark

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

Visionary and Park Champion Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013

1. Visionary and Park Champion Marker

Inscription. Meridian Hill Park might never have been built had it not been for the determination of Mary Foote Henderson (1846 - 1931). For 22 years, she lobbied Congress for funds to buy the land and build the park. Congress's 1910 vote to authorize construction of Meridian Hill Park is a testimony to her resolve.

Henderson's efforts in urban development weren't limited to promoting Meridian Hill Park. She engaged the services of some of the country's foremost architects for her grand schemes, including an enormous new presidential mansion and two Lincoln memorials, none of which were ever built.

Henderson had nearly a dozen elaborate residences built on 15th and 16th Streets for use as embassies and other diplomatic missions. She then planned to line 16th Street with the busts of former presidents and change the name of the street to "Avenue of the Presidents." Although she succeeded in getting the street renamed for a short time, her grand vision for 16th Street was never realized.

For more information go to: www.nps.gov/mehi

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location.

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38° 55.332′ N, 77° 2.128′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Columbia Heights. Marker can be reached from 15th Street Northwest north of Chapin Street Northwest, on the left when traveling north. This marker is one of four on the eastern side of Meridian Hill Park along the park paths paralleling 15th Street just south of the comfort stations. It is across the street from 2407 15th St NW Washington, DC 20009. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washington DC 20009, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Creating the "City Beautiful" (here, next to this marker); Design Challenges (here, next to this marker); Park Designers (here, next to this marker); Mansions, Parks, and People (within shouting distance of this marker); An American Meridian (within shouting distance of this marker); College Hill (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Campus to Army Camps and Back Again (about 300 feet away); Art for the People (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

Also see . . . Meridan Hill Park. This URL appears on the marker. (Submitted on March 27, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)

Additional keywords.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013

2. Visionary and Park Champion Marker

16th Street Northwest

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013

3. Visionary and Park Champion Marker

This marker is on the far left.

Mary Foote Henderson image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013

4. Mary Foote Henderson

John B. Henderson image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013

5. John B. Henderson

Senator John B. Henderson (1826 - 1913) and his wife Mary Foote Henderson, came to Washington from Missouri for his first term in Congress during the Civil War. Senator Henderson coauthored and cosponsored the Thirteenth Amendment, which prohibited slavery. After the war they returned home, only to discover they were rich from investments in what they had thought were worthless Missouri war bonds. In 1887, they returned to Washington where Mary embarked upon her career as civic leader and real estate developer.

Marching Past Henderson's Castle image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013

6. Marching Past Henderson's Castle

The French Commission to the United States parades up 16th Street past the Henderson mansion in 1917 as spectators gather along the street an atop Meridian Hill. Today, all that remains of the Henderson mansion is a part of the red sandstone retaining wall at 16th and W Streets.

The Remnants of Henderson's Castle image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, February 10, 2007

7. The Remnants of Henderson's Castle

The Seneca sandstone retaining wall along 16th Street is all that remains of the Henderson mansion.

Beekman Place image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013

8. Beekman Place

The Henderson's mansion was replaced by Beekman Place townhouses.

Crenellation image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013

9. Crenellation

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 680 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on March 26, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.