Meridian Hill: A History

In the nineteenth century, Commodore David Porter built his mansion on a prominent hill sitting directly north of the White House, and the rest of Meridian Hill's history is indelibly tied to the fabric of Washington. John Quincy Adams once resided in Porter's mansion. Union troops used the estate and its lands during the Civil War. Later, part of the old estate was famously developed by Mary Henderson into a noted group of embassy mansions, and the extraordinary Meridian Hill Park was created. The rest of the land became a diverse, thriving residential neighborhood. Join local author Stephen McKevitt as he chronicles the fascinating story of this interesting urban locale in the nation's capital.

Stephen McKevitt was born in Washington, D.C., and for many years worked for the federal government. Recently retired, he is now involved with exploring the various aspects of the civic and cultural history of Washington; he also enjoys participating in the District's historical societies and meeting the remarkable people in these associations.