Robert Pohl worked for many years as a computer programmer but recovered from that and became a full time stay-at-home dad. With his son now in school, he has expanded his horizons and become a self-taught historian. He has written books about his house as well as Emancipation in the District of Columbia. You can reach Robert at Robert[at]thehillishome.com
In the early days of the Civil War, the fear of sabotage and secessionist spies ran high at the Washington Navy Yard. After all, with even the commandant opting to throw in his lot with the South, it stood to reason that any number of others would stay and attempt to undermine the war effort as […]
A friend of a friend recently mentioned that an ancestor of his had run a restaurant on Capitol Hill. He was wondering where, exactly, it had been. A little research later, I am able to answer that question in probably far more detail than he ever expected –or wanted. Julius Egloff was born in Switzerland […]
It was the Day of the Dog at Congressional Cemetery on Saturday, which meant lots of dog-related activities and exhibits there. The Hill is Home was there, as well.
It has come time to say goodbye to an old Capitol Hill resident: The DS Barry. Originally the USS Barry, the ship was brought to the Washington Navy Yard in 1983 and had its prefix changed to Display Ship – DS. Built in Bath, Maine, she was the third ship destroyer named after Commodore John Barry […]
A few weeks ago, I gave a talk about the Navy Yard and its history for the Smithsonian Associates. During the question period at the end, I was asked about radio research at the Navy Yard. I had not done any research in that direction yet, so here is my attempt to rectify that oversight. […]