Ward 4 Heritage Guide: A Discussion of Ward Four Cultural and Heritage Resources

Fletcher, Patsy

From introduction: "This guide is intended to identify historic or culturally important places in Ward 4 and to provide a framework for developing strategies necessary to capitalize on, and, if necessary, protect the historic resources. A cultural or heritage resource is defined as a site, building, structure, object, or ritual of importance to a community or culture. The significance, whether traditional, historic, religious, educational, or other, is one of several factors that illustrate the hallmarks of a community’s way of life or identity. For many residents in Ward 4, one such resource is the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, whose commanding presence was an instant identifier of the ward. Dating back to 1909, Walter Reed was one of the oldest operating Army general hospitals in the nation and the site of numerous medical innovations and advances. It graced the ward for over a century before its 2012 move to Maryland. Though its collection of medical archives achieved national historic landmark status, its grounds and 30 some buildings have only recently received local historic designation. There are a number of other cultural resources in Ward 4, many of which are not widely acknowledged. Left unrecognized, they become vulnerable to devaluation and even loss as the ward seeks investment and diversification. The DC Historic Preservation Office, along with community partners, hopes to promote stewardship of the ward’s heritage by assisting residents in identifying important cultural icons and places, and by facilitating initiatives to promote, preserve, and reuse the ward’s significant historic resources. This guide presents a brief history of Ward 4, providing a foundation for understanding the ward’s heritage. The historical overview is followed by some broad strategies and suggested actions for achieving shared community goals including recognizing, protecting, and promoting use of historic resources. Finally, the guide identifies some places of historical or cultural significance that might be considered when development or heritage planning is undertaken. The intent is to address the needs, desires, and challenges of the wide range of preservation interests that exist in Ward 4." Project funding was provided in part by a 2015 Historic Preservation Fund grant to the District of Columbia Historic Preservation Office (project number DC-15-010, grant number P15AF00068) administered by the State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Ward 4 Heritage Guide: A Discussion of Ward Four Cultural and Heritage Resources

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