07 Jul 2010

Hill Park Named in Honor of Lola Beaver

Uploaded to flickr.com by Mr. T in DC

On Monday, July 5, Tommy Wells, Eleanor Holmes Norton and other city officials gathered at the small triangular park at Massachusetts Ave. and Ninth Street NE to declare the land “Lola Beaver Memorial Park” in honor of a colorful and unique member of our community.  Had she not passed away in 2006, Monday would have been Ms. Beaver’s 100th birthday.

Born Luola Murchison Hurkamp in Baltimore, Ms. Beaver attended Washington Cathedral School in 1929.  She studied dance and art in New York and traveled to Europe where she had stints as a “dime-a-dance” girl.   During World War II she put her dance skills to work opening a school in DC.  She went on to organize USO shows, but her passion turned from toe-tapping to tailoring.  She opened up a costume shop on K Street but moved the shop to the corner of 8th and A Streets NE in 1968.  She retired in 2004 and passed away in her home above the costume shop at the age of 96.

Ms. Beaver was well-known in both theatre and political circles, providing costumes for local plays and musicals as well as for senators and congressmen for masquerade balls and Halloween parties.  She even designed a bowtie for President Lynden B. Johnson, and provided a costume for President Bill Clinton.

Known both for her tough-talking and her soft spot for children and pets, Ms. Beaver was an institution in the neighborhood and community.  She seemed to have no issue telling the truth, no matter how blunt–a customer recounted Ms. Beaver once told her she couldn’t wear a particular costume because she was too fat.  The same person was known to make time for the neighborhood kids and take in a stray dog or cat when found.

At the request of neighbors in 2008, Councilman Tommy Wells introduced legislation to name the small park — located just a block from the old costume shop — after Ms. Beaver.  The legislation passed, and since then neighbors have been working to clean up the park, planting new trees and removing an old call box.

“Lola Beaver left our community a legacy. Dedicating this park is only a small way to pay tribute to her rich life and lasting impact on our neighborhood and city,” noted Tommy Wells.  In a 2003 interview for The Ruth Ann Overbeck Capitol Hill History Project, Ms. Beaver was asked what she liked about the Hill.  She responded, “The people. This is a wonderful neighborhood for people, it really is, right around here. That’s why I love it—I really wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”

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2 responses to “Hill Park Named in Honor of Lola Beaver”

  1. David Holmes says:

    Nice story, but the callbox is still there.

    It’s freshly painted, and has a memorial plaque in honor of Nola Beaver – look for it at the corner of 9th and A Streets, NE.

  2. Lola was a remarkable friend and neighbor. She loved her community — most especially her friends, customers and the entire Capitol Hill community. Please stop by and visit her park. You will love it.

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