AOI Joins Coaltion to Save the Franklin School
January 7, 2010
Mr. Neil O. Albert, City Administrator
The John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Mr. Albert:
As the January 19th deadline draws near for submissions to the RFP for development of the Franklin School, the Association of the Oldest Inhabitants of the District of Columbia strongly recommends that the Franklin School building be returned to the inventory of the District of Columbia Schools for future educational use.
Many of our members attended the D.C. Public Schools and some were school administrators who worked in the Franklin School building. Since we had the opportunity to walk through the building last month when it was opened by the Office of Economic Development for potential developers, we have developed an enhanced appreciation for the building not only for its architecturally historic significance but for its grandiosity of design and the obvious potential it has if kept in the public domain. This building cries out to be a charter school, a teachers’ academy, an international/diplomatic service educational facility or some other worthwhile academic institution. Its location near Metro Center makes it ideal for such potential uses.
The AOI looks forward to see what the developers and other interested parties submit in their proposals on January 19th; however, as the District’s oldest civic organization – founded Dec. 7, 1865 – the AOI membership strongly encourages you, the Executive Branch of the DC Government and our elected officials to return this property to the DC Public Schools’ inventory and actively consider serious proposals for its continued use as an academic venue. The historic nature of the building, its designer and its place in the history of the District of Columbia calls for it to have a distinguished and well deserved future in the city and for its citizens.
Sincerely,
William N. Brown, President
AOI Mourns Loss of James Clark Gaffney
AOI Director Jim Gaffney, age 75, passed away suddenly on December 10, 2009. Jim had served as an AOI Director since 2006 and is particularly remembered for inspiring us to create our AOI lapel pin. It always amazed Jim that four days after he recommended we design a pin, the shipment of pins arrived... from China! We were stuck by the efficiency of e-commerce. (see above banner)
Jim's wife Mary Pat, their three sons, daughter, Jim's brother, AOI associates and many friends filled nearly every pew at Christ the King Catholic Church to bid Jim farewell on December 15th. Two of his sons, John and Chris, spoke eloquently about their father, his influence on their lives and Jim's many contributions to his community, oranizations and friends. Jim will be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery at 11am on December 31, 2009.
James C. Gaffney, 1934-2009
Jim loved to take the seat on AOI's 1905 steam pumper at the annual Palisades Fourth of July parade.
AOI Lends Support to Rhodes Tavern Society's New Call Box Project
On Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009 at 1pm, AOI Member Joseph Grano, who is President of the Rhodes Tavern-DC Heritage Society, together with supporters and friends unveiled the first of four restored call boxes along F Street. The first to be unveiled was at the corner of 10th and F Street just steps away from Ford's Theatre. In addition to the AOI, sponsors included: PNC Bank, the Old Ebbitt Grill, Madame Tussauds Museum, Austin Kiplinger and John Cosgrove in honor of the National Press Club as well as support from Cultural Tourism DC and several DC agencies.
The first call box honors Abraham Lincon on the occassion of the 200th anniversary of his birth and depicts "Abraham Lincoln -- Our Friend and Liberator" by artist Wendy Allen. The second call box to be unveiled later on Sept. 10th near 15th & G Streets, is a scene by artist Ken Frye, "British Spare Rhodes Tavern." The two remaining call boxes (still seeking underwriting) will depict "Downtown Washington, 1801" with a scene of the President's House and "Inaugural Parades: Jefferson, 1805 - Regan, 1981" both by artist and AOI member Anne Martinez.
Please when you are visiting, dining or shopping along 15th or F Street , stop and admire these beautiful call box restorations and their original art.
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Joe Grano and artist Wendy Allen unveil the restored call box at 10th & F Street. President Lincoln (courtesy of Mde. Tussauds) appears undisturbed by the event.