Telling Georgetown’s Story, Person by Person

“I grew up in a small town,” said developer Richard Levy, one of those recently interviewed for the oral history project of the Citizens Association of Georgetown. He meant both Georgetown and Washington, D.C., he said. It was a sentiment echoed by those at the table and by many in the audience.

The facts may be the same, but the feelings are more vivid. That is why Georgetowners of all stripes crowded the grand room of the City Tavern Jan. 13 for the third live presentation of the CAG project, coordinated by committee chair Cathy Farrell.

Five prominent residents, current and former, were there to tell their story about growing up, living or working in D.C.’s oldest and most famous neighborhood: Anne Emmet, Philip Levy, Richard Levy, Elizabeth Stevens and Gary Tischler. Emmet, an artist, was ready with some insight into old social traditions. Sons of real estate pioneer Sam Levy, Philip and Richard Levy recalled growing up on M Street above the family store. Stevens, with her husband George Stevens, Jr., founding director of the Kennedy Center Honors, raised three children on Avon Lane.

With a nod to the old and new, Stevens began the talk, saying that it is “so lovely to live here,” recalling the elegant specialty shops, such as one run by Dorcas Hardin, along with Neam’s Market and the French Market. She also recalled Menehan’s Hardware Store on M Street. She noted that with Jackie Kennedy the town had gotten real style. Nevertheless, she said that Georgetown “hasn’t changed that much.”

Richard Levy, who learned more Georgetown history while doing research for his West Heating Plant condo project, reminded the crowd that the town once had 12 gas stations and at least two car dealerships. The parking lot behind the Old Stone House was a used car lot, he recalled. He also pointed out that Georgetown has had a vibrant group of Jewish merchants. Living in a house once occupied by John F. Kennedy, he cited the Kennedy era as Georgetown’s second rebirth. (The brothers also mentioned the Biograph Theater and Key Theater, run by their other brother David, now decreased. The CVS on M is where the Biograph was; the Key, Restoration Hardware.)

Owner of Bridge Street Books on Pennsylvania Avenue, Philip Levy remembered watching football at his father’s store and the cops walking the beat. For him, this “small town” was full of country western music (the Shamrock on M Street) and was the bluegrass capital of the world (after Nashville). He listed the Bayou, the Cellar Door and Shadows, where Ri Ra is now. He later noted the importance of Blues Alley.

Emmet began by mentioning that her mother bought the family’s P Street house in 1950 for $50,000. As her mother become bedridden, Emmet’s neighbors pitched in. To sighs from some in the audience, she mentioned Dorothy Stead’s dress shop. She remembers when Volta Park was a “junk heap” and she was not allowed to go there. She and her girlfriends got to meet the King of Jordan. Then, at a different time, they went with the boys to Wisconsin and M, carrying paint cans and brushes. They held the wet brushes against the turning cars – and never got caught. (The audience howled.) She said the town has changed a lot.

Tischler, known as the longest-serving and most prolific writer for The Georgetowner, said he began writing for the newspaper, which just celebrated its 60th anniversary, in 1980. He wrote immediately about Sen. Ted Kennedy and then about burlesque dancer Blaze Starr (not in the same story or breath, we assure you). He has written 2,000 articles about the town and its people and called the place “steadfast” and “classy.” He gave a quick list of notables for him – “George Stevens, Ed Shorey, Don Shannon, Virginia Allen, Chris Murray” – and worried about missing more. He did give a tip of the hat to author Kitty Kelley, who, he said, “is famous doesn’t act like it.” He also said, “The best view of Georgetown is from the Kennedy Center and the best view of the Kennedy Center is from Georgetown,” and that he hoped to write 2,000 more stories.

If you want to interview or be interviewed for the oral history project, contact the Citizens Association of Georgetown by emailing CAGmail@CAGtown.org or calling 202-337-7313.