Mapping Georgetown: The Magic of Our ‘Stoop Culture’

If you drive down too fast – You will miss the magic.

       -Judith Bunnell

When we received Judith Bunnell’s map-story for our Mapping Georgetown project, her evocations of our town’s unique “stoop culture” and the supportive communities we love to build with friends and neighbors, I felt such a joy of connection. This precious aspect of Georgetown is something my neighbors and I too cherish.

Judith also brought up another remarkable intertwining connection. When I asked if she could give us some photos or graphics to add to her lovely story, she let me know that the picture in the Mapping Georgetown story we ran about Rose Park was actually taken in front of her own house. Here’s the picture:

Serendipitously, this photo from our Rose Park story was taken many years ago in front of Judith Bunnell’s home.

I love how so many Georgetowners’ stories are intertwined!

Here’s Judith’s map-story:

Judith Bunnell’s map-story.

This is a special Georgetown Gem –

We all know each other and care –

 singles-couples-families with babies & children.

 We shovel each other’s walks, blow leaves and water planters—

 If you drive down too fast – You will miss the magic

 The happiest block in Georgetown – home of “stoop culture”

 32nd between P and Q Streets

And here are some sweet pictures she sent us to celebrate the joy she experiences with the “stoop culture” on her block.

Judith Bunnel, from her Instagram, with her permission.

Bunnell captioned this photo: “COVID Cocktails include Joseph Olchefske, Pamela Johnson, Stephen Lintner, Punita Bhatia, Saran Bhatia, Sue Rutledge, Dean Surrett, Judith Bunnell, India Olchefske.”

“Rat Patrol: Joseph Olchefske, Pamela Johnson,Stephen Lintner, Matthew Bottelson, Sue Rutledge, Betsy Kelly, George from the BID, George North and Tish… “

“The Coombes Family (George, Jackie and John) is delighted by a Candy Chute During Covid on 32nd Street.” Photo courtesy Bunnell.

“The Wisteria on my block.”

Maybe we’ll have your stoop over to visit ours one day!

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To see this story on the Mapping Georgetown website, go to https://mappinggeorgetown.com/2019/10/11/how-about-this-for-a-cute-georgetown-story-can-ya-feel-it-more-please/

To learn more about the Mapping Georgetown project see https://georgetowner.com/articles/2021/07/19/marilyn-butlers-vision-for-mapping-georgetown/.

To submit your Georgetown recollections to Mapping Georgetown go to www.mappinggeorgetown.com  or visit the Georgetown Public Library to pick up a physical map-story form to fill out.

Marilyn Butler can be reached at marilyn.butler@gmail.com.

tagsFriends and NeighborsJudith Bunnellmapping georgetownP StreetQ StreetRose ParkStoop CultureWisteria