October 27, 2020
"Capitol Ghost Stories" with Steve and Jane
August 20, 2020
"Prohibition in Washington, DC" with Garrett Peck
On August 20th, 2020, author, public historian, and tour guide Garrett Peck joined USCHS President/CEO Jane Campbell for this special guest edition of “Lunch Bites.” Peck traced the rise and fall of Prohibition in our nation’s capital, from its beginnings in the temperance movement to its ineffective implementation and eventual repeal. He shared stories of how bootleggers kept “dry” Congressmen supplied behind closed doors—and more!
August 13, 2020
James Greenleaf: Would-be Superhero - or Hustler?
On August 13th, 2020, USCHS Chief Guide Steve Livengood discussed the complicated and colorful life of proprietor James Greenleaf. From high-stakes land speculation to debtor’s prison – and back – Greenleaf left his mark on Washington, DC in its earliest years. Drawing on “Creating Capitol Hill” and his own research, Livengood shared this fascinating biographical presentation with USCHS President/CEO Jane Campbell.
August 6, 2020
Special Guest Robert Pohl
On August 6th, 2020, local guide Robert Pohl joined USCHS President/CEO Jane Campbell to share four stories he always wished he had the time to include in his tours. From an often-overlooked violent episode on the Senate subway to the Capitol Honeymoon fad of the late nineteenth century, Pohl regaled the audience with fascinating tales of a Washington gone by.
July 30, 2020
History All Around Us, Part 8 (Capitol Officials: Square 688)
On July 30th, 2020, USCHS Chief Guide Steve Livengood shared “Capitol Officials: Square 688” as the eight installment of his history all around us presentations. Based on the USCHS book “Creating Capitol Hill,” Livengood told stories of the congressional officers and staffers who occupied the block which now forms the southeast corner of the Capitol Grounds. USCHS President/CEO Jane Campbell interviewed Steve and presented audience questions.
July 23, 2020
Special Guest Hayden Wetzel
On July 23rd, 2020, local historian Hayden Wetzel joined USCHS President/CEO Jane Campbell for a discussion of animal control on Capitol hill. Wetzel shared the District government’s efforts to control loose animals-particularly farm animals (hogs, horses, geese, and so forth) in the early days of the city, first by the police force and after 1871 the District pound crew, with an emphasis on the situation on Capitol Hill.
June 25, 2020
History All Around Us, Part 7 (First Street & Independence Ave SE)
USCHS President/CEO Jane Campbell interviewed U.S. Capitol Historical Society Chief Guide Steve Livengood about First Street and Independence Avenue SE. The Library of Congress dominates two of the four blocks that converge when First Street meets Independence Avenue. What was there before these two massive structures wiped out everything and all the remaining evidence? “A” Street has disappeared! Even mighty Pennsylvania Avenue got lopped off! Who got to live right next to the Capitol?
June 18, 2020
History All Around Us, Part 6 (North Capitol St NE & NW)
USCHS President/CEO Jane Campbell interviewed U.S. Capitol Historical Society Chief Guide Steve Livengood about North Capitol Street NE and NW. This discussion of a Capitol Hill neighborhood includes the George Washington Houses, Boss Shepherd, and leveling the streets. Based on the USCHS book Creating Capitol Hill, Steve will tell tales based on this location and show a few vintage photos from the book. He’ll add stories from his own experience and incidents from more recent times too!
June 11, 2020
History All Around Us, Part 5 (1st Street at A and East Capitol Streets NE)
USCHS President/CEO Jane Campbell interviewed U.S. Capitol Historical Society Chief Guide Steve Livengood about 1st Street at A and East Capitol Streets NE–including Horatio Greenough’s statue of George Washington. Based on the USCHS book Creating Capitol Hill, Steve tells tales based on this location and shows a few vintage photos from the book. He adds stories from his own experience and incidents from more recent times too!
June 4, 2020
Q & A Day!
USCHS President/CEO Jane Campbell and U.S. Capitol Historical Society Chief Guide Steve Livengood addressed at least one cliffhanger from previous sessions, answered questions saved from earlier webinars, and took new questions about the Capitol and related topics.
May 28, 2020
History All Around Us, Part 4 (First St NE @ C Street / Constitution Ave)
Every corner on Capitol Hill has stories, and Livengood loves to tell them! Campbell will interview Livengood about a street intersection near the Capitol: First Street NE at C Street and Constitution Avenue. This installment will include stories about the Carroll Arms Hotel, James Greenleaf’s house, the Monocle, and Buckner Thurston.
May 21, 2020
History All Around Us, Part 3 (Delaware and Constitution Avenues NE)
USCHS President/CEO Jane Campbell will interview U.S. Capitol Historical Society Chief Guide Steve Livengood about the intersection at Delaware and Constitution Avenues NE, near the Capitol, the Russell Senate Office Building, and Upper Senate Park. Based on the USCHS book Creating Capitol Hill, Steve will tell tales based on this location and show a few vintage photos from the book. He’ll add stories from his own experience and incidents from more recent times too!
May 14, 2020
History All Around Us, Part 2 (Delaware and A St. NE)
USCHS President/CEO Jane Campbell will interview U.S. Capitol Historical Society Chief Guide Steve Livengood about the intersection at Delaware Ave. and A St. NE–near a block that has disappeared. Based on the USCHS book Creating Capitol Hill, Steve will tell tales based on this location and show a few vintage photos from the book. He’ll even add stories from his own experience and incidents from more recent times!
May 7, 2020
History All Around Us (Constitution Avenue and 2nd Street NE)
USCHS President/CEO Jane Campbell will interview U.S. Capitol Historical Society Chief Guide Steve Livengood about a street intersection near the Capitol: Constitution Ave. and 2nd St. NE. Based on the USCHS book Creating Capitol Hill, Livengood will tell tales based on the location and show a few vintage photos from the book. He’ll even add a few stories from his own experience and incidents from more recent times!
April 30, 2020
L'Enfant's Washington: The Great City Square (That Never Was)
U.S. Capitol Historical Society Chief Guide Steve Livengood and USCHS President/CEO Jane Campbell discuss Peter L’Enfant and elements of his design of Washington, D.C. When L’Enfant designed the city of Washington, he included a grand public square on the scale of those in European cities. Where was it to be? What was it to be like? Why was it not developed? What is there now? Livengood will show you what could have been.
April 23, 2020
Frederick Law Olmsted and the U.S. Capitol Grounds
Take a virtual walk around the Capitol grounds with U.S. Capitol Historical Society President/CEO Jane Campbell and USCHS Chief Guide Steve Livengood to see the ideas that Frederick Law Olmsted incorporated into the grounds plan. Olmsted’s birthday is April 26, and 2022 will be his bicentenary. A celebration is planned in the name Olmsted 200.
April 16, 2020
Thomas Crawford and Philip Reid
USCHS President/CEO Jane Campbell will interview U.S. Capitol Historical Society Chief Guide Steve Livengood about Thomas Crawford and Philip Reid. Crawford, the artist who sculpted the Statue of Freedom now atop the Capitol Dome, was an American living and studying high culture in Europe. Philip Reid, an enslaved man who was essential to the casting of the statue and then freed in 1862 by the Compensated Emancipation Act, personally experienced the ideal that Crawford was trying to symbolize in his work.
