Archive for the 'History' Category

Madonna of the Trail

said on October 6th, 2010 filed under: History

Bethesda History- Madonna of the Trail

A few years back I was driving down some country road (I really have no idea where, but it’s safe to say it was either in Beallsville, PA or Wheeling, WV) and COMMANDED my husband to stop the car (kidding). Nice guy that he is, he complied. I was intrigued by the statue along the side of the road which looked exactly like the one by the post office back home. Turns out it was exact.

Did you know that our local Madonna of the Trail/Pioneer Mother monument is one of twelve identical statues throughout the US? The idea behind the monuments can be traced back to a group of Missouri Women, who in 1912 were behind a resolution to Congress giving a formal name to the series of trails used by pioneers as they traveled West. It was named “National Old Trails Road.” At the urging of then Judge Harry Truman, twelve statues at a cost of $1,000 each were placed in each of the twelve states along the trail.

In 1927 sculptor August Leimbach was chosen to design the statues. They feature a pioneer woman clasping a baby with her left arm while clutching a rifle with her right. Her young son clings to her skirt. The first monument was dedicated in 1928.

The route extends from Washington, DC to Los Angeles, California. Our statue (the Bethesda, MD statue) is situated Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Marcie Sandalow Leave A Comment

Beyond the Smithsonian- 10 great things to do in DC

said on October 3rd, 2010 filed under: District of Columbia, History, Just For Fun

The Lincoln Theater, U Street, DC

There’s so much to do in DC. Here’s a list of 10 fun things to do (that won’t break the bank):

Dumbarton Oaks Gardens. Located in Georgetown, this 10-acre estate offers up formal gardens galore, grandiose Oaks, a fancy mansion, and more. You have to pay to view the gardens, but the museum is free. Open year round as long as the weather cooperates.
Take a 40-minute tour of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Learn about all the fancy, gee-whiz features on the new $100 note, due to roll out in 2011.
Wooly Mammoth Theatre Company. Woolly offers Pay-What-You-Can tickets for the first two performances (usually Monday and Tuesday) of every production. Tickets are sold at the theatre the evening two hours prior to showtime. Two per person, cash or check only.
Take a self-guided Heritage Trail Walking Tour and learn about the various neighborhoods around DC, including Adams Morgan, Brightwood, U-Street and Shaw.
Eastern Market is a great flea market 7 blocks Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Marcie Sandalow Leave A Comment

Montgomery Farm Woman’s Cooperative Market

said on September 20th, 2010 filed under: Bethesda, Chevy Chase, History

Bethesda Farmers Market photo

You can’t help but notice the Montgomery Farm Woman’s Cooperative Market when driving through Bethesda/Chevy Chase. Located in the heart of town at the intersection of Wisconsin and Bethesda Avenues, this bustling market has been in place since 1932, though it was established for some years before that.

Today the indoor market is open year round from 7-4 on Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays. The outdoor market is open, weather permitting, on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays from 7-5.

This photo, dug up in the Library of Congress archives, shows a white clad vendor selling her wares. According to the Co-op’s web site, “For some years a strict dress code was enforced. At the opening of the new building on December 2, 1932, the women wore white dresses. From then on Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Marcie Sandalow Leave A Comment

asdf jkl;

said on September 5th, 2010 filed under: History, Just For Fun

Typing Class- BCC H.S. circa 1935 *Courtesy of Library of Congress

I took my first typing class in 7th grade at Washburn Junior High in Winnetka, IL. This was in the mid 70’s. My teacher was Mrs. Harris, possibly the oldest teacher in the history of teaching. She made my grandmother look young. As you can imagine, she was all business, and really not much fun at all.

I learned to type on a manual typewriter. I don’t think they were as old as the ones pictured, but I had to swing an arm (nope, not my own) to change lines, change ribbons once the lettering became faint, and use white-out papers for any mistakes. We’re talking ancient. By the time I got to college I had an electric typewriter with a built-in “error” tape… now that was progress! And when I got out of college, PC’s were just making their debut.

Her first lesson, as I recall, involved learning how to care for a typewriter. Type too fast and you would jam the keys. Or, break the typewriter. You didn’t want to break a typewriter in Mrs. Harris’ class, trust me. Next came finger placement, and all of the endless “asdf jkl;” tutorials. I was quite the obedient little student. My friend Mary Alice, who was only there at her mother’s insistence, was not so enamored of typing. Mrs. Harris sniffed that one out immediately. We all emerged knowing how to type, willingly or not.

My kids grew up on keyboards and computers. They’ve been typing for years now. Not exactly via the qwerty method, but pretty close. It’ll be really interesting to see what their kids face.

posted by Marcie Sandalow Leave A Comment

BCC High School- Something’s Cooking

said on August 30th, 2010 filed under: Bethesda, Chevy Chase, History, Just For Fun

BCC H.S. Cooking Class, circa 1935. *Courtesy of the Library of Congress

This photo makes me smile. Who knew cooking was such serious business? What I’m really curious about is the round contraption on the right side of the photo. I’m guessing it’s a washing machine, but then, what’s it doing in a cooking class? Perhaps it was really a home-ec class? Remember those! I do. I’m dating myself.

Hey- today is the first day of class for BCC students. Go Barons!