The collection, which dates from circa 1965 to 2006 and measures 5.67 linear feet, documents the built and natural environment of the Anacostia neighborhood, as well as the activities of the Anacostia Coordinating Council, which sponsored the Historic Anacostia Revitalization Project, a survey of all buildings in the Anacostia Historic District. The collection consists of slides, photographs, negatives, correspondence, newsletters, reports, printed material and ephemera.
Scope and Contents note:
The collection documents the built and natural environment of the Anacostia neighborhood, as well as the activities of the Anacostia Coordinating Council, between1965-2006. The collection is organized into two series: Slides and Project Files.
Slides: This series contains 1889, 35mm, mounted transparencies. The oldest images depict 1940 and 1950s Anacostia scenes, reproduced in slide format during the 1990s. The earliest slide is of Cafritz Hospital, it was created in 1965, with the latest slides having been created of various Anacostia scenes in 2006. This series documents both built and natural environments in the Anacostia Neighborhood through images of buildings, streets, landmarks, neighborhoods, people and special events.
Project files: This series contains correspondence, memoranda, statements, maps, newsletters, administrative documents, printed ephemera, photographs and negatives. Materials housed in this series place a particular emphasis on Anacostia planning. This includes research materials collated for a survey of buildings along Good Hope Road. This survey was undertaken by Prof. McGrath and his second year George Washington Students, and sponsored by the Anacostia Coordinating Council, whose activities also feature in the series. The material dates from 1984 until 1994 and has been housed into 29 folders, categorized as donated.
Arrangement note:
The materials have been arranged into two series, Slides and Project Files.
The slides were originally received in five metallic boxes labeled "A-E", one box labeled "Untitled", and nine small plastic boxes. The slides have been re-housed from these boxes into archival binders. The slides in each binder are arranged in their original order and preserve the following catagories as they appeared at the time of donation: "Streets", "Subjects", and "Miscellaneous".
The Project Files were originally received in one binder, this binder has been rehoused into 29 folders, categorized as donated.
Biographical/Historical note:
Dorn C. McGrath, Jr., FAICP, is Professor Emeritus of Urban and Regional Planning and Geography. He retired from the George Washington University in 2003 after serving on its faculty for 33 years. He was founder of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Director of the Institute for Urban Development Research, Chairman of the Department of Geography and Regional Science, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, and was one of the founders of the University's Graduate Program in Historic Preservation. Prof. McGrath also served as member of the adjunct faculty at the Johns Hopkins University, School for Advanced International Studies. From 1987-1996, he served as Chairman of the Committee of 100 on the Federal City.
Professpr McGrath became involved with Anacostia as a direct consequence of his long standing friendship with Mr. John Kinard. McGrath met Mr. Kinard at George Washington University. Mr. Kinard, who was involved in an ongoing effort to revitalize the Anacostia Community as Chairman of the Anacostia Coordinating Council and first director of the Anacostia Community Museum, encouraged McGrath to apply his planning expertise to the cause. Seeing this opportunity as a valuable way to assist both the community and a means to practically apply information he taught to students at George Washington University, McGrath worked with his students to undertake a survey of the area.
Related Archival Materials note:
Publications and articles authored by Prof McGrath are listed in Prof McGrath's Curriculum Vitae. A copy of this was supplied to the Anacostia Community Museum via email by Prof McGrath on the 27 August 2013. An audio interview was also conducted with Prof McGrath on the 13 August 2013. The audio and transcript pertaining to this interview are housed by the Anacostia Community Museum and are currently accessible on a shared drive.
Provenance:
The Dorn C. McGrath, Jr. slides and other material were donated to the Anacostia Community Museum in 2007 by Dorn C. McGrath, Jr.
Restrictions:
The collection is open for unrestricted research. Use requires an appointment.
Rights:
The Dorn C. McGrath, Jr. slides and other material are the physical property of the Anacostia Community Museum. Literary and copyright belong to the author/creator or their legal heirs and assigns. Rights to work produced during the normal course of Museum business resides with the Anacostia Community Museum. For further information, and to obtain permission to publish or reproduce, contact the Museum Archives.
