Humanitini: The Man with the (Urban) Plan
Date and Time
Apr 7, 2016 6:30 pm
Location
14th & V
2021 14th St NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009
Apr 7, 2016 6:30 pm
14th & V
Immediately before and during the Civil War, Brigadier General Montgomery C. Meigs laid the foundation for the city’s current urban plan. Meigs made his mark on the city ordering the construction of bridges, the Washington Aqueduct, and serving on a committee responsible for choosing the final plan for the city’s Civil War defenses. The forts and other structures constructed as part of this plan formed the basis for a number of the city’s present-day neighborhoods. Modern planners and local community leaders will discuss the legacy of Meigs’ work, and how it has helped or hindered the physical and social development of the city.
The program will be moderated by Cherie Ward, a professor of speech at UDC Community College. Ward has been working in the fields of television, radio and film for over 20 years. A former Miss District of Columbia and representative in the coveted Miss America Pageant, her professional poise is enhanced by educational successes. She possesses a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism and a Masters of Arts and Teaching Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Ward has completed her doctoral degree in Communication, Culture and Media Studies. Her doctoral thesis: “Using Poetry as a Communication Multimodality to Engage Selected African American Learners in Reading: A Case Study, is a way for her to continue the literacy discussion.
Panelists:
Tanya Washington Stern, Deputy Director for Planning, Engagement and Design at the DC Office of Planning – Stern oversees the city’s planning projects including: neighborhood and citywide planning, the District’s Comprehensive Plan, facilities planning, waterfront planning, economic development and urban design initiatives.
Dr. Sue Taylor, Public Anthropologist-in-Residence at American University, and independent consultant in oral history and cultural heritage – Taylor’s current project focuses on Washington, D.C. Civil War Defenses 1861-1877 based on stories passed down about the large number of freedom seekers who escaped slavery and were housed in camps near the present neighborhoods. The aim is to share stories of these communities in order to preserve this history.
Dean Herrin, Chief Historian for the National Capital Region of the National Park Service – He was co-editor and a contributor to the book Montgomery C. Meigs and the Building of the Nation’s Capital. Herrin holds a PhD in American history from the University of Delaware, where he was a Fellow in the Hagley Program in the History of Industrial America.
Humanitini – Where happy hour meets the humanities!
Humanitini is the name of the drink and the name of the program! These exciting happy hour conversations bring panels of academics, culture curators, musicians, experts, or whomever the occasion might call for into bars and restaurants for lively conversation and intellectual debate. Our signature “think and drink” program brings Washingtonians together to discuss issues that are timely, engaging, entertaining, and usually all of the above!
HumanitiesDC will celebrate the 225th birthday of the Nation’s Capital by carrying out a year-long series of historic and cultural programs, all of which will engage DC residents and visitors in learning about the city’s illustrious history. Our programming will use DC’s history and evolution as a means to comprehend the current issues that DC residents face today. HumanitiesDC specializes in bringing thought provoking civic conversations to diverse audiences across the city. Our programs challenge DC residents to embrace new ideas while encouraging them to remember the city’s vibrant heritage and culture.
