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Take a walk through DC history on the 112th birthday of Meridian Hill Park

Michelle Goldchain | michelle.goldchain@wtop.com

June 25, 2022, 6:20 PM

One of the District’s most unique parks, Meridian Hill Park, turns 112 years old on Saturday.

Also known locally as Malcolm X Park, the park was established in the Columbia Heights neighborhood by Congress on June 25, 1910. According to the National Park Service, the site earned its name because it was on the exact longitude of the original D.C. milestone marker in 1791.

In 1819, John Porter built a mansion on the site, which would become the home of President John Quincy Adams eight years later.

Construction for the park did not begin until 1914, and it was finally dedicated in 1936.

Meridian Hill Park has one of the longest cascading fountains in North America. The park is also notable for its extensive use of new-at-the-time concrete aggregate as a building material.

WTOP’s Michelle Goldchain traveled to Northwest D.C. to learn the history behind this District landmark.

A historical tour of Meridian Hill Park's statues

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Michelle Goldchain

Michelle Goldchain’s reporting has focused primarily on the D.C. area, previously working as Editor of Curbed DC for Vox Media and Audience Growth & Engagement Editor for Washington City Paper. She is the author of “D.C. by Metro: A History & Guide.” She also reports for 'Artsplained' on YouTube.

michelle.goldchain@wtop.com

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