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Description: Presbyterian Cemetery Financial-Page 8
Newspaper published in: Washington, D. C.
Washington Post Nov. 28, 1909 Presbyterian Cemetery Financial-Page 8
WHERE 'KIDDIES' ROMP
Georgetown Playground and Its Historic Associations.
WAS ONCE A BURYING GROUND
Before the Revolution the Land Was Donated to a Presbyterian Congregation - Disused for Sixty Years, It Was Transformed Through Efforts of the Association Into Ideal Recreation Spot.
Past and present are linked in an unusual way through the transformation of a disused cemetery into a recreation place, where the little children of today can romp and play to their hearts' content. Such is the case in at least one instance in Washington.
Over in Georgetown there are hundreds of children at play each day. They indulge in all kinds of games, without ever a thought of the yesterday, when, perhaps, their very own ancestors came, with solemn tread, to lay away some loved one in his or her last resting place. That is the story of the newly opened Georgetown playground, which is on the site of a deserted Presbyterian graveyard.
The history of that cemetery reaches far back into the primitive stage of the capital, and is now known only to a few. BEATTY and HAWKINS seemed to have been closely allied with the church history of historic old Georgetown, for in ???9, or thereabout, they gave one lot to the Presbyterian Church, to be used as a cemetery and site for a building. This was not the only denomination favored with their generosity, for the Lutherans, the Church of Scotland, and the Church of England also had land given to them for church purposes.
Served Long as ""God's Acre."
Whatever is the early history of the old Presbyterian graveyard, it served its purpose as "God's Acre" until about ?? years ago, after which it fell into disuse, for there were no more burials made there, and the ground was allowed to become overgrown with weeds.
It was in this state that it was found when the purchase of it was undertaken by the Washington Playground Association, and in 1906 Congress appropriated a sum of money with which to purchase it, but it was not until last winter that possession was secured by the association. A long and tedious wait had to be undergone while the graves were being opened and the bodies removed to other resting places.
It was in the early part of September that the work of leveling off the ground and making it ready was begun. The children of Georgetown had been promised a playground before the close of this year, and Arthur C. MOSES, vice president of the association, and James E. WEST, secretary, determined to fulfill that promise if Washington had to sit up nights and work for a while. Those who live in downtown Washington hardly know of the strenuous work that was done over in that part of the city, of the hauling and pulling and leveling off and filling that went on.
While the men were leveling off the ground some startling discoveries were made, for it was found that all the graves had not been opened, and the bodies removed. Almost 30 bodies were discovered by the workmen. All the bodies that were found were taken to an
undertaking establishment, and with all the reverence possible, cremated.
Waiting for the Fence.
After the ground had been gotten into shape, a long wait faced Mr. WEST and Mr. MOSES, because the fence did not arrive on time. In the last part of October the ground was ready, except for the various apparatuses which were to be put in place. That more than took up the time, until the opening of the playground on October 30, but with the first day's play there were plenty of things to give ample amusement to the 1,500 children who flocked to the ground in crowds. The playground was opened Saturday morning at 9 o'clock, and was supposed to close for the day at about 5:30 o'clock. But nothing like that entered into the thoughts of the youngsters, and it was only by coaxing, begging, and good naturally driving them off that the ground was closed at all.
Now that the ground has been open a whole week, even eight days, to be exact, a small portion of the excitement has waned and the children are more orderly. They were never disorderly in the minds of the playground officials, "only a bit wild," but it is on record that one youthful helper, after his first day's experience, said: "If you want them to do
anything you just have to beat it into their heads." Needless to say he was told, in a gentle way, that the aim of the Playground Association was not to pulverize the heads of the attending children, but rather to make them strong, and that all that was necessary was words, and that even those must be of a character warranted not to hurt the children's feelings.
An Ideal Spot
It is the opinion of those who have visited the newest of Washington's playgrounds opened by the Washington Playground Association that it is one of the finest out. This, at least, is the opinion of the children. Extending from Thirty-third almost to Thirty-fourth streets, and from Volta place to Q street, with the exception of a small portion of the block situated at the corner of Thirty-fourth and Q streets, the ground is among the largest in the city. It is divided into two parts, that portion adjoining Thirty-fourth street, and taking in half the distance to Thirty-third, being aside for the boys. This is practically square in shape. The girls' ground is oblong, running from Volta place directly back to Q street.
On the boys' ground is perhaps the largest trapeze apparatus on any of the grounds here. Swings, whirlygigs, football, tennis, and tether ball grounds and apparatus go to make up the boys' ground, while the girls' yard is as well equipped as the other, and has in addition a small corner set aside for "wee ones," who can play in a sand pile especially arranged for them. One of the most pleasant features of the grounds are the shade trees, which are abundant, especially in one section of the girls' yard.
This ground and the improvements have cost nearly $35,000. Of that amount $5,000 was appropriated by Congress for equipment this year, more than $20,000 for the purchase of ground, and the remainder raised by the Playgrounds Association by subscriptions to cover the additional expense of the cost of the ground. There yet remains $1,000 of the equipment money. This will be utilized as soon as the ground is closed for the winter for putting in the grass seed and for the wading pool which it is planned to put in the boys' yard. A swimming pool and permanent rest houses are among the other improvements which are to be added if possible.
Pride of Association.
The Georgetown playground is the pride of the association for several reasons. It is among the most complete of its kind in the country, is within reach of an unusually large number of children, and is the third ground which has been opened by the association this year. Altogether, the officers of the association feel that the playground movement in Washington has taken a start in the right direction. Another feature which they approve of is that of the last three opened two belong to the District government. These two grounds are the Rosedale, opened last June, and the Georgetown. The third is the New York avenue, opened in August, but which is on borrowed land.
The teachers which have been put in charge of the new ground rank among the most experienced in their line of work. They are Mrs. Agnes STEWART, in charge; Mrs. Walter S. BINLEY, Miss Mabel TOWNER, and Miss Caroline STEINMETZ. They will all be in charge until the close, which will be postponed as long as possible, in order to allow the children full use of the playgrounds.
The men and women who stand behind this movement for the benefiting of Washington's children, and who have worked along with Mr. MOSES and Mr. WEST, forming the board of directors, are Allen D. ALBERT, jr., William H. BALDWIN, Ernest P. BICKNELL, E. N. BROWN, Miss Elizabeth V. BROWN, D. J. CALLAHAN, Fred G. COLDEN, Judge William H. DELACY, John B. DICKMAN, Dr. Merrill E. GATES, Prof. B. T. JANNEY, Maj. William V. JUDSON, Dr. George M. KOBER, Otto LUEHKERT, Prof. W. S. MONTGOMERY, B. W. MURCH, Thomas C. NOYES, Mrs. Giles Scott RAFTER, Mrs. Henry T. RAINEY, Cuno H. RUDOLPH, Dr. W. H. SEAMAN, John B. SLEMAN, jr., Eugene E. STEVENS, Dr. Rebecca STONEROAD, Maj. Richard SYLVESTER, Dr. William TINDALL, the Rev. John Van SCHAICK, jr., James E. WEST, Miss Edith C. WESTCOTT, and Dr. D. E. WIBER.