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Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park History
Long before the park, Native Americans traversed the hilltop along a well-traveled route. When the Federal city was being planned as the nation's new capital, Thomas Jefferson promoted the idea of the Earth's prime meridian running directly north of the White House, a route that is now essentially 16th Street, thus lending the name to the hill and, later, the park. The Meridian hilltop has been home to five presidents and was the site of an early African American seminary, a Civil War hospital, and the forerunner to George Washington University. In the early 20th century, a prominent resident of Meridian Hill, Mary Henderson, began promoting the idea of a park. Land for the park was purchased by the U.S. Congress in 1910, and the first landscape plan was approved in 1914. Construction continued for the next 25 years, and the park, though never fully completed, was officially opened to the public in 1936. By the 1960s, the park began to show its age, and, with so many people leaving the city for the suburbs, the park fell victim to urban crime. In 1990, a group of local citizens formed the "Friends of Meridian Hill." A citizens' crime patrol, countless hours of volunteer labor, and grassroots advocacy led to an award-winning partnership between the "Friends" and the National Park Service. The results were dramatic, with a 98% reduction in crime and new appropriations for the park in the millions. Today, Meridian Hill is once again a shining jewel in Washington's park system. Designed as the first national park for the performing arts, Meridian Hill once again is the site of numerous concerts, theatrical performances, poetry readings, and other programs, many of which are sponsored by Washington Parks & People (formed form a merger of Friends of Meridian Hill and other park groups). And, yes, once again kids are playing in the park! Washington Parks & People is committed to restoring and enhancing public parks to help rebuild communities. To learn more about our work at Meridian Hill and other parks in Washington, visit our What We Do page. A separate pop-up photographic tour through Meridian Hill is available here. (The tour may take a few seconds to load, but it's worth it!) |
A National Historic Landmark, and a crown jewel in Washington's park system, Meridian
Hill/Malcolm X Park is an outstanding example of neoclassical
park design, which some have compared to "an assortment of
Italian villas." Indeed, the lower half of the park includes
a long, flowing cascade flanked by peaceful groves, one of which
contains a statue of Dante. However, the design of the upper end
reflects French influences, with a long, grassy mall lined by tall
stately trees leading to the Great Terrace. Here, Joan d'Arc stands
guard, looking over the Federal city.