Standard Time has returned, but Covid-19 and politics keep us in limbo, especially now.
This month we share the story of Norman Greene, who passed away August 30. His sculpture of Roscoe honors Takoma Park's favorite rooster. We've also included a few "only in November" stories and events along with links to our expanding online resources.
Historic Takoma looks forward to welcoming one and all to our building, once it is safe. At this point, even our annual meeting must wait until restrictions ease.
More than ever we need your continued support.
Please consider renewing your membership or making an end-of-the-year donation. Stay safe and see you soon.
In 1990, Takoma residents asked local artist Normon Greene to create a memorial to Roscoe, Takoma’s beloved rooster and victim of a hit-and-run driver. The bronze sculpture proudly stands under the clock at Laurel & Carroll, forever capturing the spirit of Takoma’s iconic rooster and the town Roscoe called home.
The pairing of the free-ranging rooster and the mostly self-taught sculptor/painter was a perfect match. On August 30, Normon himself passed away of a heart attack at age 70.
Like Roscoe, Normon forged his own path: a journey that took him from Lynchburg VA to Westmoreland Avenue, Takoma Park in 1997. Here he and his wife raised two sons, and Normon discovered his passion for sculpture and painting in bright colors.
Neighbors gifted him with a garage-turned-studio. The city commissioned his sculpture of Chief Powhatan for Spring Park. Much more followed, 90 venues in all -- from National Harbor and Baltimore, to local libraries, schools, galleries, and of course, Roscoe.
Beyond his art, Normon helped organize the Westmoreland Avenue Community Organization (call it WHACK-O, he said, not WAY-co), and the Takoma Artists Guild. He spent two decades working with at-risk youth at the Bethesda YMCA, introducing them to tai chi among other life lessons. In 2011 Normon retired to open his own studio in Brentwood. There he combined his art and teaching tai chi.
On Sept 27, family and friends gathered for a virtual memorial service, available on YouTube.
In November of 1883, Gilbert launched his soon-to-be Takoma Park suburb and America switched to time zones. What else do these events have in common??
ANSWER: the key factor in both cases was the railroads.
Before time zones, every train station in America set clocks to match the sun at high noon. Railroads could not cope with the constantly shifting time changes between stations. Finally, a grand agreement designated November 18th at noon as the moment when every town reset their clocks to match all other clocks in same time zone. Standard Time overruled the sun.
One week later, on November 24th, Benjamin Franklin Gilbert bought 90+ acres of land surrounding a Baltimore & Ohio train stop six miles from the Capital. Thanks to the trains, government clerks could commute between work in DC and family life in a verdant suburb with clean air and spring water.
November 11th is Veterans Day
This year, Boy Scout Troop 33 will hold a "flag retirement" ceremony for worn-out US flags. Residents are asked to donate flags "in such condition to no longer be a fitting emblem of display." A collection box is provided in the Police lobby of the Community Center thru noon of November 11. Details HERE.
Wednesday, November 18:
Reflection on DC's Freeway Fight
This ZOOM presentation, offered by DC History, reflects on the DC Freeway Fight of the 1960s, as framed around Sammie Abbott's iconic mantra.
Details and registration for the 7:30 pm event can be found HERE. Note: a "pay-as-you-chose" donation is suggested. The presentation will subsequently be available online at dchistory.org.
Tired of reading the latest depressing news? Try dabbling into the past. Historic Takoma has an large digital collection of Takoma newspapers available online.
Catch up on the doings of local residents. Follow the Boy Scouts, the Woman's Temperance League, and all the hotly debated topics in any given year, like the protest to extend Piney Branch Avenue through Takoma Park. Get the index and access papers HERE.
Research Your House History
If you're curious about who built your house, here are the tools you need to get started. Follow Jim Douglas' step-by-step instructions for how to search property histories in Maryland and and tips on other sources to trace the history of your house.
The Coronavirus pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests have made all of us eyewitnesses to history.
Share your experiences and help us chronicle history in real time. When and how did you first become alarmed? How di you revamp your life? What was the hardest? Does it matter that we living in a place like Takoma Park? What made you smile?
Send us your Journal entries, or photos, videos, or emails. Digital or print is welcome.
You can use this online form to send us your submissions (note: you need a Google account). Or you can email your materials directly to info@HistoricTakoma.org.
More details on all of Historic Takoma's projects as well as the Tales of Takoma collection can be found HERE.
