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Brightwood |
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What You'll See!Welcome to Brightwood, a neighborhood replete with tales of a distinguished past. A roam through this community will reveal an illustrious Civil War legacy, ample African American history, and an eclectic assortment of architecture and shops. So summon your inner history buff, grab your walking shoes, and check out this modern urban neighborhood!
"Get Down, You Fool!"
So President Lincoln was told as he ducked from the Fort Stevens parapet, making him the only sitting U.S. president to have come under enemy fire.
If you’re a Civil War aficionado, Brightwood has stories galore. Not only is the area home to Fort Stevens, site of the only Civil War conflict to occur in the nation’s capital, it also boasts Battleground National Cemetery, the final resting place of 41 Union men who fell in that battle.
African American Life
Even before Emancipation, a free African American community developed in Brightwood as early as the 1820s. Infused with this legacy, Brightwood is peppered with sights and sounds of a rich African American past.
Here you can see the Military Road School, the neighborhood’s first public school for black children, and the family residence of George M. Lightfoot, a scholar who often entertained the likes of W.E.B. Du Bois and Carter G. Woodson. And don’t forget to take a stroll down Georgia Avenue to pop into African American-owned businesses that line the strip.
Modern Times
Though civil disturbances following the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination disrupted Brightwood’s development, today the neighborhood is enjoying a renaissance. Condos and new businesses are moving in, and with the recreational attractions of nearby Rock Creek Park, residents and visitors are rediscovering all that Brightwood has to offer.
Battleground to Community: Brightwood Heritage Trail
This self-guided walking trail reveals the story of Brightwood – from country road to urban avenue, from Civil War to civil rights, architecture, immigration, and more. Follow the signs to learn about Brightwood's fascinating past!
For More Information
Check out our Calendar of Events for up-to-date information on exhibitions, lectures and other heritage happenings in the city.
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