Evening star., 1942-03-27
Historical Society
Sees Pictorial
History Of Capital
Mrs. Walter G. Peter
Exhibits Collection
By Colonial Danes

An illustrated account of the de-
velopment of the National Capital
from the time Of the first settlers
was given to the Columbia Historical
Society last night by Mrs. Walter G.
Peter, who has assembled many rare
prints, paintings and photographs
rs chairman of the Committee on
Historical Activity, District Chapter
of the National Society Of Colonial
Danes.
Mrs. Peter told how she and other
members of the Colonial Danes had
collected the illustrations for
pictorial History of the District of
Columbia" from every possible
source, including the Library of
Congress and the papers Of descend
ants of the founders Of Georgetown
and the Federal City
Pictures were thrown on the
screen Of the unspoiled country
which captivated Sir John Smith,
Henry Fleet and other adventurous
Englishmen when they came up the
Potomac early in the 17th century.
The explorers were delighted with
the mild climate. the rich soil, the
forests filled with deer and buffalo
and the clear waters abounding in
sturgeon and other fish.
Indian Metropolis" Found.
At that time tribe of the Algon-
quins in their village on the site of
Georgetown manufactured arrow
points, spearheads, scrapes and
drills from native rock, along with
pots and other utensils, from soap
stone. The Indians conducted a
thriving trade with other tribes and
their village was something of a
metropolis" before the arrival of
the whites.
Mrs. Peter showed pictures of Rock
Creek Church, the new settlements
f1rst house of worship, located on
10o-acre plot donated by Col. John
Bradford. The hills above the mouth
OF Rock Greek became favored
building sites for the men who later
helped to develop the Federal City.
There were prints and paintings
OF early sailing vessels at the Port
OF Georgetown, and Of the new
College of Georgetown, founded by
Jesuits on a hilltop overlooking the
river. One Illustration depicted a
Sailors Oak" which stood on high
hill and helped mariners to lay q
course for the new port.
The old pictures revealed that by
1880 Georgetown was a thriving
city, with schools and colleges, state
ly homes, busy taverns and docks.
Gen. Washington rode over the
boundaries of the projected Federal
City" and predicted Capital 'in-
ferior to few in Europe would rise
there
Among the illustrations was a
photograph of the Georgetown home
IN which Gen. Washington and
LEnfant were supposed to have de-
eeloped the plans for the new
Capital. Mrs. Peter said there was
no proof that the plans actually
were drawn in this house.
One OF the earliest known draw
ings of the White House was shown,
depicting the building as it stood in
1893, when a published advertise
meHL asked for carpenters and
Nners to help build the Presidents
home at 81 day.
There were pictures of DR.. William
Thornton, designer of the Capitol,
and OF the Capitol itself In various
stages Of its protracted development.
One OF the earliest views bore the
date 1900.
Mrs. Peter discussed briefly illus
tratlons OF Friendship, which 100
years ago was the summer home of
Georgetown priests, and the home
OF Francis Scott Key, who wrote
the words Of the national anthem.
The speaker gave a brief sketch
OF Henry Foxhall. whose foundry
turned out American cannon for the
war OF 1872, and one of the leaders
IN the movement to send freed slaves
to Liberia on the west coast Of
Africa. 1t was said that a storm
diverted the British as they were
marching toward Georgetown, ap-
parently to destroy Mr.. Foxhall's
foundry, and out of gratitude the
munitions maker founded a church.
one of four he eventually gave to
the community.
Shows Building Of Monument.
There were pictures of the Octa-
gon House. long famed among
architects, and of the Washington
Monument In the early stages Of
development.
Included also were portraits of
famous personages of the day, along
with Civil War scenes pictured by a
new invention-the camera. The
picturesque old Chesapeake & Ohio
Canal, with its barges, mules and
drivers, was the subject of several
paintings shown to the guests.
Mrs. Peter brought her discussion
down to the present day with mod
ern photographs of the National
Gallery of Art, the Jefferson and
Lincoln Memorials, the Capitol
White House and other landmarks.
Mrs. Peter was introduced by
Allen c. Clark, president of the
society. who presided. The meeting
Uos hold of tho Movdousr uoto1