George Washington Memorial Parkway

11/19/2023

Red Shawl Day 2023

According to the Department of Justice, American Indian and Alaska Native women are missing and murdered at a rate of more than 10 times the national average. Red Shawl Day is an annual national effort to bring attention to acts of violence committed against Indigenous people. Throughout the week surrounding November 19, people are encouraged to wear red as a symbol of the loss of sacred lifeblood through violence.

The National Park Service is part of an all-of-government effort to bring attention and action to missing and murdered Indigenous people. America‘s national parks are part of and surrounded by many Indigenous communities. As part of this observance, you may see National Park Service staff wearing red shawls.

Ways to Help and Raise Awareness:

Being aware and spreading awareness of this issue can save lives.

Report suspicious activities when visiting public lands to local law enforcement.

Wear a red shawl or red clothing the day and week of Red Shawl Day

Join the conversation on social media using and .
Image description: The poster graphic includes a black and white photograph of dress-shaped beaded earrings laying on a shawl with one earring appearing bright red and black.

Text reads: “Red Shawl Day. November 19. The National Park Service supports Red Shawl Day. Wear red to raise awareness and draw attention to the horrible acts of violence against Indigenous people, especially the women and children. ”. The text is followed by the National Park Service logo.

11/12/2023

Rudolph Pins was born in Höxter, Germany in 1920. The Pins family was the only Jewish family in their small town. Life in Höxter was normal for Pins until 1933. After Hi**er came to power, his family noticed boycotts of Jewish businesses and hateful rhetoric about Jews on the radio.

Pins’s parents secured a visa for him to emigrate to the United States. In 1943, the United States drafted Pins into service during the Second World War. Pins trained at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. An Army Major named Walter Rath arranged for Pins to be transferred to Fort Hunt because Pins was fluent in German. Pin interrogated Axis combatants and officials at Fort Hunt from 1944 to 1946.

In 1946, Major Rath recruited Pins to assist the Allies with the prosecution of German defendants at Nuremberg. Pins left the Army and assisted with the trials as a civilian. The most high-profile defendant he questioned was Hermann Göring, an important member of Hi**er's cabinet.

Pins attended a reunion for veterans of PO Box 1142 hosted at Fort Hunt in 2007. He died in 2016.

Learn more: https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/learn/historyculture/rudolph-pins.htm

11/11/2023

Gunther Dienstfertig was born in Breslau, Germany (now Wroclaw, Poland) in 1926. In November 1938, Jewish homes and businesses were ransacked and destroyed across Germany. The head of the local police force advised Dienstfertig's father to leave Germany. Dienstfertig's father obtained visas and relocated his family to the United States. In America, the family Anglicized its name to Dean. Gunther began going by John.

John Gunther Dean impressed his school teachers as a brilliant student. He was admitted to Harvard University at the age of sixteen. After American entry into World War II, Dean dropped out of Harvard to enlist in the Army. He was trained at Fort Belvoir and transferred to Fort Hunt.

In 1945, Dean played a crucial role in settling a German scientist in the United States. The scientist was named Heinz Schlicke. According to Dean, it took “quite some time before [Schlicke] was willing to cooperate” because “his wife was—at that point—in the Russian zone.” Dean travelled to Europe and escorted Schlicke’s wife and two children to the United States, where they would live the rest of their lives.

After the war, Dean would work for the United States as a diplomat.

Learn more:https://www.nps.gov/museum/exhibits/fohu_oral_history/transcripts/Fort%20Hunt_NPS_PO%20Box%201142_JDean.pdf

11/02/2023

During the Second World War, approximately 44,000 Native Americans stepped forward and answered the call to serve. 723 of them became United States Marines, roughly 400 of them were Navajo Code Talkers.

The Navajo code talkers took part in every assault the Marines conducted in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945. Their service aided in communication. They transmitted messages in their native language, a code that the Japanese never broke.

Philip Johnston was a World War I veteran and one of the few non-Navajos who spoke the language fluently. He believed Navajo would fit the needs of an undecipherable code because it is an unwritten language of extreme complexity. It has no alphabet or symbols and is only spoken on the Navajo lands of the American Southwest.

As Marines, the Navajo code talkers served in communicating tactics, troop movements, and orders. They were praised for their accuracy and speed throughout the war.

A Marine officer at Iwo Jima described their contributions, stating “were it not for the Navajos, the Marines would have never taken Iwo Jima.”

November is National American Indian Heritage Month. Together, we can join in paying tribute to the rich ancestry, traditions, and contributions of Native Americans.

https://www.nps.gov/articles/navajo-code-talkers.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/usmc_memorial.htm

10/27/2023

The 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, was born on October 27, 1858. Roosevelt believed that stewardship of land and wildlife made future growth possible. Almost 230 million acres of land became federally protected during his term. Today, a memorial to President Roosevelt sits on a small island in the Potomac River. Theodore Roosevelt Island also contains great biological diversity. Upland forest, swamp, and tidal marsh are three major ecological zones on the island. A couple of miles south of Theodore Roosevelt Island, sits the Navy Marine Memorial. Today marks the anniversary of a report issued by the Continental Congress. The report favored acquiring of merchant ships as the foundation of an American Navy. The Navy and Marine memorial honors members of the U.S. Navy and Marine Services who lost their lives at sea. It is the first naval memorial in Washington, D.C.



https://www.nps.gov/this/index.htm https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/learn/historyculture/navy-and-marine-memorial.htm

10/25/2023

The National Park Service invites the public to a virtual meeting tomorrow evening (Oct. 26), at 7:00 pm concerning the rehabilitation of the northern section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The meeting will feature information about construction progress, the upcoming traffic shift from I-495 to Route 123, inclement weather event planning and future construction activities, followed by a question-and-answer session.

To join, follow the link below:

The National Park Service (NPS) invites the public to a virtual meeting Oct. 26, at 7:00 pm concerning the rehabilitation of the northern section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The meeting will feature information about construction progress, the upcoming traffic shift from I-495 to Rout...

10/21/2023

October is STEAM month. STEAM month celebrates the power of science, technology and engineering. Did you know that a morale officer stationed at Fort Hunt during World War II became a successful physicist after the war?

Henry Kolm was born near Vienna, Austria in 1924. His father, Richard, was a doctor. Because they were Jewish, the Kolms sought to leave Austria after it was annexed by Germany in 1938. They sailed to the United States in December 1939. Richard Kolm secured a teaching position at Temple University.

In 1941, Henry Kolm enlisted in the Army. His superiors recognized Kolm’s fluency in the German language as an asset to the war effort. Kolm was transferred to Camp Ritchie, Maryland, where he was trained to work as an intelligence officer at Fort Hunt. Intelligence gleaned by Kolm at Fort Hunt helped the Allies identify bombing sites in Germany.

Following the war, Henry earned a PhD in physics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Kolm co-founded the MIT Magnet Lab and conducted award-winning research. He died in 2010.

Learn more about Fort Hunt’s World War II history on tomorrow’s history hike: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=32EC2D86-CD6F-FE3E-3A84AFAEA816EC1F

10/20/2023

Did you know that the English words “month” and “moon” are related?

The moon orbits the earth. The moon also spins on its own axis, but at roughly the same speed that it revolves around the earth. As a result, humans have only been able to see one side (the “near” side) of the moon for most of history.

While the moon moves around the earth, both the earth and the moon revolve around the sun. The sun only lights up certain parts of earth at different points of the earth’s orbit. The same is true of the moon. During different points of the earth and moon’s orbit around the sun, the near side of the moon will reflect different amounts of sunlight from the sun. When none of the near side is lit up by the sun, the moon looks darks on earth. This is called a “new moon.” When all of the near side of the moon is lit up, the “full moon” is a prominent feature in the night sky. The period of time between a new and full moon is 29.5 days. It is for this reason that this period of time is named after the moon.

Come to Fort Hunt on October 21 to learn more moon facts! See attached flyer for details.



https://moon.nasa.gov/observe-the-moon-night/

10/06/2023

Join this free virtual talk next week and learn about Lyndon B. Johnson and Cesar Chavez's work in the Civil Rights Movement. One of the many park sites the George Washington Memorial Parkway maintains is the LBJ Memorial Grove on the Potomac.

Join us for a virtual Ranger Talk on October 11th at 5pm PST! The talk, The Struggle to Share in the Blessings of the Land: Cesar Chavez and Lyndon B. Johnson in the Civil Rights Movement, will explore the connections between these historical figures and will be 30 minutes long. It's free!

The Zoom registration link is: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsf-2qrD8vGNCe-pWWdTho_XVcqaQD5eB2

09/25/2023

The National Park Service is seeking public comments on proposed safety and maintenance improvements along the Mount Vernon Trail and the southern section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The road and trail improvements being considered would enhance the visitor experience for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Everyone is invited to review the South Section and Mount Vernon Trail Improvements Plan/Environmental Assessment and provide comments through Oct. 24. Learn more about the project and how to comment by clicking the link below:

McLean, Va. – The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comments on proposed safety and maintenance improvements along the Mount Vernon Trail and the southern section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The road and trail improvements being considered would enhance the visitor exper...

09/22/2023

We regret to inform you that the free Raptor Rapture event scheduled for this Saturday, September 23, from 1 to 3 pm at Fort Hunt Park has been cancelled due to tomorrow's coastal flood advisory. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

We are working to reschedule the event for a later date, and we will provide more information as soon as it is available. In the meantime, please stay safe and informed about the weather conditions in your area.

Thank you for your understanding.

09/20/2023

Soar to new heights of learning and excitement at Fort Hunt Park this weekend! Join the National Park Service, Friends of D**e Marsh, and Secret Garden Birds at Fort Hunt Park's Pavilion B on September 23 from 1 to 3 pm for a free, up-close encounter with live raptors, including owls and hawks.

These majestic birds of prey play an important role in our ecosystem, and this event is a unique opportunity to learn about their biology, behavior, and conservation. See these incredible creatures in action and learn how to identify them in the wild.

The event is open to all ages and no registration is required. So come on out to Fort Hunt Park this weekend and experience the wonder of raptors!

09/18/2023

Our partners, the Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail, were out in full force this past Saturday. Volunteers helped improve the trail by removing invasives, pruning branches protruding into the trail, and most impressively, shaving down asphalt trail surface that had been raised by tree root growth. Thanks for all their help in this important work!

09/07/2023

Due to potential thunderstorms, this evening's Netherlands Carillon concert has been cancelled. Visit our website to see future planned concerts on Thursday evenings:

Enjoy sweeping views of Washington, D.C. while guest carillonneurs play concerts of jazz, pop, and patriotic music on the carillon's 53 bells on:

09/02/2023

September 2nd is Victory Over Japan Day also known as “VJ Day.” The United States dropped two bombs on Japan in August 1945. One was atomic, and the other hydrogen, ushering in the nuclear age. Surrender proceedings took place September 2nd aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Harbor. General Douglas MacArthur officiated those proceedings. The end of the war brought celebration to most Americans. There is an iconic photograph of a sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square. U.S. forces were preparing to invade the Japanese mainland. Had that happened, there would have been many more stars on the Wall of Stars at the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.

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https://www.nps.gov/wwii/index.htm

Photo credit: National Museum of American History

09/01/2023

September is National Wilderness Month! In the greater metro DC area green spaces may seem few and between.

The George Washington Memorial Parkway is home to many areas that are great for recreation and exploration. Fort Hunt Park, located just south of Old Town Alexandria, is a great place to take in the changing scenery that comes in the fall season.

The Mount Vernon Trail offers great views along its path from Theodore Roosevelt Island to Mount Vernon.

Great Falls is an ideal location for all ages, with it's amazing overlooks of the Potomac River.

This National Wilderness Month explore the beauty of the rich and diverse sites along the George Washington Memorial Parkway!


https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/index.htm

08/31/2023

During the Bonus March of 1932, Herbert Hoover used Fort Hunt as a temporary hospital. The hospital provided three hundred beds for demonstrators. They had gotten sick in settlements near the Anacostia River. During the Bonus March of 1933, Franklin Roosevelt used Fort Hunt as a charm offensive. He offered demonstrators jobs at a new Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp at Fort Hunt.

The First World War devastated civilizations throughout the world. Many societies reimagined the relationship between civilian and military life. This led to the emergence of authoritarian regimes after the war. Some Americans feared that this would happen in the United States. They worried about the Bonus Marches. In 1935, Sinclair Lewis published a best-selling novel entitled It Can’t Happen Here. In the novel, a paramilitary group called The Minute Men support a dictator. The fictional dictator promises Minute Men full bonuses paid in cash. Lewis was not alone in feeling this way. Another prominent observer said that “unless something is done to stop [the Bonus Marches], this country will become a dictatorship.”



Fort Hunt Park Cultural Landscape (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

08/27/2023

The George Washington Memorial Parkway is home to some of the best views of Washington, DC. President Lyndon Baines Johnson and his wife had a favorite spot to take in those views. "It appears at the moment when you come over a rise and look down the Potomac Valley and see the capital spread out with its great monuments," said First Lady Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Johnson. LBJ Memorial Grove on the Potomac commemorates our 36th President.

The memorial itself is a 19-foot monolith. It is made of sunset red granite quarried 35 miles from President Johnson's home in Texas. It reflects the Johnson administration's commitment in preserving our national heritage. Johnson's most important work occurred alongside another prominent figure in American history. Martin Luther King, Jr. and President LBJ worked together when signing into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Today, they are both memorialized at our nation's capital. On a clear, winter day, the memorials are visible from one another.

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https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/learn/historyculture/lbjandmlk.htm

08/25/2023

Thanks U.S. Department of State for coming to visit Great Falls Park!

08/25/2023

Happy Birthday to the National Park Service, which turns 107 years old today! The George Washington Memorial Parkway, in addition to being a major highway and memorial to George Washington, is a part of the National Park Service. The Parkway manages more than 25 miles of roadway and more than 20 sites along its length and beyond. The staff, volunteers, and partners of the Parkway work everyday to fulfill the mission of the National Park Service laid out in the Organic Act that was signed into law on August 25, 1916: "to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and . . . leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."

The George Washington Memorial Parkway was designed for recreational driving. It links sites that commemorate important episodes in American history and preserve habitat for local wildlife. The parkway and its associated trails provide a scenic place to play and rest in the busy Washington, DC metro...

08/24/2023

Early bird special! The time is now to register for the 8th Annual Tour de Mount Vernon on October 21 at 8 a.m. starting and ending at George Washington’s Mount Vernon! Register by September 1 and get a discounted rate and Tour de Mount Vernon socks! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to ride the northern and central portions of the Mount Vernon District and special this year, ride on the George Washington Memorial Parkway with no cars. Register today! https://buff.ly/43StaFg