Georgetown, African American Heritage Trail

Georgetown began as a tobacco port in 1751, 40 years before Washington was chosen as the national capital. It is the city’s oldest neighborhood and is a historic district. African Americans have lived and worked here since its beginning. After the Civil War, Herring Hill, a 15-block area of eastern-most Georgetown (south of P Street between Rock Creek Park and 31st Street, NW), was a magnet for families migrating to Washington. You can see many of their institutions and houses as you follow this tour.

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Testimonials

“The DC Jazz Jam has provided a tremendous boost to DC’s indigenous jazz scene.  [The] cadre of fine musicians at Dahlak have managed to create a warm, inviting, encouraging, and creative environment at their weekly jam sessions, which is no small accomplishment.  Experienced professionals, like myself, attend the jam to relax, stretch out musically, and network with other players. But at the same time, the DC Jazz Jam has proved to be the perfect setting for younger talent to come out, and have some of their first experiences playing in front of an audience and to learn their craft in the laboratory of a nurturing jam session.  In this manner, the DC Jazz Jam is but the latest chapter in Washington’s long history with America’s classical music, jazz.”

Seth (Clarinetist / Saxophonist)