If you’ve driven northeast on Rhode Island Avenue, you’d recognize some of the stops, like Manny and Olga’s Zeke’s Coffee, or Rita’s Italian Ice, on this humble commercial strip dating back to the 1920s. Back then, Black Washingtonians would have taken the streetcar to work in Woodridge because they couldn’t live in the neighborhood, as hostile white neighbors alongside racially restrictive covenants deterred Black neighbors. The 1968 uprisings brought demographic changes. As white residents fled to nearby suburbs, Black residents moved into the neighborhood, carving out a Black, middle-class enclave.
Join the DC History Center with neighborhood expert, resident, and historian Jeremiah Montague Jr. to learn about the history of Woodridge, from the original indigenous inhabitants of the land to its tobacco fields and modern day residents. You’ll hear how Civil War forts, Catholic land purchases, the Highway Act of 1893, and the streetcar shaped the streets we know today. Noteworthy stops include:
TOUR DATES May 16 June 27
This tour is considered moderately difficult and is two hours long. We will cover two miles of commercial and residential streets. Woodridge is a hilly neighborhood with sometimes narrow or nonexistent sidewalks. Attendees are advised to be mindful of their own limits. Bathrooms are available at the start and end of the tour at Woodridge Neighborhood Library.
If you are no longer able to attend this tour, please cancel your ticket or email programs@dchistory.org to help us manage attendance numbers. If you can no longer attend, please email us at programs@dchistory.org to cancel your registration. It’s a show of community care to take the time to email us, so we can invite a waitlisted participant. We appreciate your kindness and investment in the community we build together.
May 9: Hillcrest Walking Tour May 16: Woodridge Walking Tour June 6: Hillcrest Walking Tour June 27: Woodridge Walking Tour September 16: Genealogy 101: Starting Your Journey at Woodridge Neighborhood Library October 21: From Charts to DNA: Finding Your Family at Woodridge Neighborhood Library
The DC History Center introduces its Neighborhood History Project which aims to study and document the history of often overlooked DC neighborhoods. Our current focus is on Woodridge (Ward 5) and Hillcrest (Ward 7). This series includes archival research, supported by community engagement and dialogue to not only research this history, but encourage connection and programming for current residents.