Comments on Sherman Building at Soldiers' Home damaged in earthquake - Greater Greater Washington

Comment by w

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:55:08 EDT

John - great article and thanks so much for bringing this matter to everyone's attention. David Alpert also has done a great job by high-lighting great articles like this and enabling this kind of information to get around.Hopefully the Scott Hall can be fixed in a timely manner with careful attention to details and respect for it's history.

Comment by David Alpert

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:04:51 EDT

funInSun52: Nothing on GGW has ever been licensed CC BY-SA. Articles were formerly licensed CC BY-NC. We are actually modifying things so that individual articles can be licensed differently. Most articles will remain CC BY-NC. John D's are going to be licensed CC BY-NC-ND at his request, and you are welcome to use this article under that license if your use is permitted under it.

Comment by B. Winkle

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:49:55 EDT

What about the Mr. Peabody building?

Comment by Christopher

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:32:15 EDT

It used to be more integrated with the city in that the roads and neighborhoods leading up to it were more porous. Park View is so named for it's closeness and previous access to the parkland there. Slowly but sure the Soldiers' Home has taken that land back and away from the public. This was truly at one DC's version of central park with the water at the reservoir open for pleasure boating. This land is no longer useable in that way and has very much divided eastern NW and NE ever since. It's a shame really. And seems to have started with the 1960s and perhaps is rooted to the racial unrest at that time as well. Not sure.

As for access to the property, years ago I tried to take my parents to it but was told we had to have an appointment. Which is weird, nowhere online did it tell us that. Actually I first we were told they didn't allow visitors at all and when pressed then they changed their argument and told us "by appointment only."

Comment by funInSun52

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:25:47 EDT

Is this article licensed as CC-by-SA like the rest of GGW?

Comment by Randall M.

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:46:14 EDT

Thanks for this information.

Are there any plans to integrate the complex more fully into the District? It's such a vast area in the heart of DC that very few are aware of or know how to access. Is it a matter of poor communication with the public or are they not interested in bringing more people to the location?

Would the Armed Forces Retirement Home be interested in allowing paid access to some of its facilities, like it's golf course or designate some areas are park space? I know the area allows for an annual bike race but I don't hear much about anything else.

Comment by Steve D

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:42:22 EDT

This is tragic news. We went on the Lincoln Cottage tour for the first time just a few weeks ago and got to see Sherman Hall up close for the first time as well. A true jewel of the city. I hope they're able to find the resources they need to restore and protect it.

And on a side note, I continue to hold out hope that the 1968 decision is reversed and the grounds are opened to the surrounding neighborhoods once more. We need the greenspace and park space in Petworth and Park View. I hope my children can one day enjoy some of that massively underutilized beautiful space two blocks from our house.