Integrated park dedicated in Georgetown: 1940
Arthur E. M. Demarey, social director of the National Park Service congratulates Dr. C. Herbert Marshall, president of the Rock Creek Civic Association November 14, 1940 at the opening ceremony of the Rose Park playground at 27th and P Streets NW.
The ceremony was held at the Jerusalem Baptist Church at 2600 P Street NW because of inclement weather.
The park was a haven for both black and white residents of Georgetown and Marshall was largely responsible for obtaining it.
Marshall was the unofficial “mayor” of Georgetown in the 1940s and 50s while that section of town still had a significant number of black families.
Five years after its dedication, officials put up a “Negro Only” sign at the Rose Park tennis courts, prompting Marshall to lead a successful petition campaign among black and white residents of Georgetown to have the sign removed.
A mass meeting held in July 1945 under the sponsorship of the NAACP drew hundreds of black and white residents that unanimously adopted the following resolution:
"Whereas, the rules of racial segregation adopted at its June meeting by the D.C. board of recreation for the administration of public recreation facilities are undemocratic in application and infringe upon the right of American citizens in the use of public, tax-supported institutions; and
"Whereas, such segregation is unnecessary and undesirable and violates the natural development of good sportsmanship and tolerance between American citizens; therefore
"Be it resolved that we, citizens of the District of Columbia in meeting assembled, condemn the adoption of a policy of racial discrimination in public recreational facilities in the District for Columbia and urge that the board reconsider its action and rescind the rule."
It was one of the first cracks in D.C.’s segregated park system.
Marshall headed the Rock Creek Civic Association for more than two decades. During his time at the helm of the group he was instrumental in obtaining Francis Junior High School at 24th and N Streets and having a swimming pool built adjoining the school.
He also served as president of the D.C. Federation of Civic Associations, the predominantly black civic federation that continues to exist today.
He was also active in integrating the medical field, against police brutality, for equal employment, and against the Red Scare and served as president of the local NAACP 1939-41.
For a biography of C. Herbert Marshall, see flic.kr/p/2iunAXg
For more information and related images, see flic.kr/s/aHskhNEzdC
Photo by Mueller. The image is courtesy of the D.C. Public Library Washington Star Collection © Washington Post.
Integrated park dedicated in Georgetown: 1940
Arthur E. M. Demarey, social director of the National Park Service congratulates Dr. C. Herbert Marshall, president of the Rock Creek Civic Association November 14, 1940 at the opening ceremony of the Rose Park playground at 27th and P Streets NW.
The ceremony was held at the Jerusalem Baptist Church at 2600 P Street NW because of inclement weather.
The park was a haven for both black and white residents of Georgetown and Marshall was largely responsible for obtaining it.
Marshall was the unofficial “mayor” of Georgetown in the 1940s and 50s while that section of town still had a significant number of black families.
Five years after its dedication, officials put up a “Negro Only” sign at the Rose Park tennis courts, prompting Marshall to lead a successful petition campaign among black and white residents of Georgetown to have the sign removed.
A mass meeting held in July 1945 under the sponsorship of the NAACP drew hundreds of black and white residents that unanimously adopted the following resolution:
"Whereas, the rules of racial segregation adopted at its June meeting by the D.C. board of recreation for the administration of public recreation facilities are undemocratic in application and infringe upon the right of American citizens in the use of public, tax-supported institutions; and
"Whereas, such segregation is unnecessary and undesirable and violates the natural development of good sportsmanship and tolerance between American citizens; therefore
"Be it resolved that we, citizens of the District of Columbia in meeting assembled, condemn the adoption of a policy of racial discrimination in public recreational facilities in the District for Columbia and urge that the board reconsider its action and rescind the rule."
It was one of the first cracks in D.C.’s segregated park system.
Marshall headed the Rock Creek Civic Association for more than two decades. During his time at the helm of the group he was instrumental in obtaining Francis Junior High School at 24th and N Streets and having a swimming pool built adjoining the school.
He also served as president of the D.C. Federation of Civic Associations, the predominantly black civic federation that continues to exist today.
He was also active in integrating the medical field, against police brutality, for equal employment, and against the Red Scare and served as president of the local NAACP 1939-41.
For a biography of C. Herbert Marshall, see flic.kr/p/2iunAXg
For more information and related images, see flic.kr/s/aHskhNEzdC
Photo by Mueller. The image is courtesy of the D.C. Public Library Washington Star Collection © Washington Post.