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The Cleveland Park Historical Society

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Call Box Restoration Is Under Way!

October 30, 2017

Update: For “Under Way,” read “Almost Complete”!


Red Top Call Box painted-front

Thanks to the generosity of our members, the fifteen historic police call boxes around the Cleveland Park Historic District are getting a facelift designed to last for the long haul. The old, fading, chipped paint on the box bodies is being scraped and sanded away and new primer and a double coat of fresh paint, including gold accents, is being applied. You’ll see this work in progress around the neighborhood in October and November. (See a map of all the call boxes at this link.)

Right: The “Red Top” call box with body painted and artwork awaiting cleaning and repair. The art depicts Grover Cleveland’s summer home, “Red Top,” a.k.a. “Oak View.”  Below: Workers complete the gold accents on the box at Connecticut and Macomb.

The next stage will be to restore or, in some cases, replace the metal back plates, which have deteriorated significantly.

These pictures of the Red Top call box, commemorating Grover Cleveland’s summer house, show both the beautiful new paint job and the work left to be done to restore the artwork and the back plaques. We are still exploring options for the back plates, seeking a solution that will last and remain legible, as the back plates honor those who contributed to the original restoration project. Stay tuned for more updates. Thanks to everyone who sponsored a box, to all our members for helping provide additional funding, and to the restoration committee led by former CPHS president Lois Orr!

The “Red Top” call box back plaque awaiting restoration

The “Red Top” call box shining with new body paint

Detail of the new body paint on the “Red Top” call box

 

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Cleveland Park Historical Society
P.O. Box 4862
Washington DC 20008

 

Line art in our site header is by the late architect John Weibenson for CPHS.

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Cleveland Park Historical Society
1 month ago
Cleveland Park Historical Society

Springland Farm: Most Important US Vineyard (September 16 and 17, WalkTown Tours 2023)

As part of WalkTown Tours 2023 (Events DC and Cultural Tourism DC), Chuck Ludlam is again leading a tour of the Springland Farm, arguably the most important vineyard in the history of the US. Springland Farm is located at Tilden/Springland Lane (immediately north of the Cleveland Park Historic District). Signs-ups are open. This tour sells out.

Two Tours: The tour is offered twice: Saturday, September 16 and Sunday, September 17. Both 10:00-12:00.

To sign up for this tour go to: www.eventbrite.com/e/springland-farm-americas-most-important-vineyard-2-tickets-695547179337?aff=...

First-come, first-served. If you sign up and can’t make it, please cancel your reservation so that others can sign up.
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WalkingTown DC | Events DC

eventsdc.com

September 16-24 WalkingTown DC is DC’s best public tour program, featuring guided walking tours in neighborhoods throughout the District. More Ways to See DC WalkingTown DC Every September, Washingt...
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Cleveland Park Historical Society
5 months ago
Cleveland Park Historical Society

Vintage postcard of the Broadmoor, at Connecticut Avenue and Porter Street NW in Cleveland Park, a luxury apartment building designed in an eclectic style by noted DC architect Joseph Abel, who specialized in apartment buildings. Completed in 1928, it features a rough "clinkered" brick finish and some hints of Art Deco. ... See MoreSee Less

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Cleveland Park Historical Society
5 months ago
Cleveland Park Historical Society

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Self-Guided History Walk

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