Mapping Georgetown: An Officer and a Gentleman
By • September 6, 2022 0 1214
When I first noticed Officer Jackson, I was entering the gates of the Georgetown’s great Dumbarton Oaks Gardens in the 3100 block of R Street NW. Assisting a small group of folks on the street in front of the gardens, he was patiently directing the out-of-towners on their various ways to their next scattered locations. He knew which buses and metros to take and everything in between including the Saturday schedule differences and which stops to watch for.
Officer Jackson was so caring and conscientious, everyone could feel it. A Mapping Georgetown story in the making!
Years ago, Officer Jackson’s brother called him at his home in Los Angeles, to invite him to travel to the east coast to visit Washington D.C., where he was retiring from the Armed Services. Officer Jackson responded with the intention of making but a brief visit. But he turned out to be yet another Mapping Georgetown author who came and stayed. You only need to read his map to know that his heart is here.
Officer Jackson’s story-map for Mapping Georgetown. Courtesy Mapping Georgetown.
Officer Jackson’s Story-Map
To those of you who may not know, one of the magnificent places to visit is the Dumbarton Oaks Gardens. 16 acres of Beauty. Located in Georgetown of the Washington, D.C. area, the 100 year-old gardens are a beautiful and wonderful place to visit in the D.C. area. What’s there not to love about the gardens? Officer R. Jackson
Courtesy Mapping Georgetown.
Officer Jackson requested the Dumbarton Oaks assignment telling his boss that he would learn “every last thing” about the gardens if he were to be chosen for the detail. A week later, he had his dream job.
For the past 4 years, he has now greeted with a smile every visitor who passes through the splendid garden’s gate. Getting to know “every little thing” has brought him to love “every little thing” about the 16 acres he patrols.
Officer Jackson’s favorite place in the garden — the arbor. He likes to sit, admire and reflect from this, his perfect spot.
Courtesy Mapping Georgetown.
We thank you, Officer Jackson, for sharing one of the loves of your life with us and for your years of devoted service. That’s what makes Georgetown — Georgetown.
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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.
