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
When the Caldwell House, at 206 Pennsylvania Ave SE, was demolished in 1933 to make way for the John Adams building of the Library of Congress, it was the oldest private house on Capitol Hill, and one of the best examples of the Federal style of architecture to boot. However, today I want to write […]
There has been freemasonry and freemasons on Capitol Hill since at least the day that the cornerstone of the Capitol was laid on September 18, 1793. George Washington was there that day in full masonic regalia, presiding over the ceremony. It was over ten years, however, before the masons officially opened for business on Capitol […]
George Washington may have given his name to our city, but he did not live to see the Federal Government move here. This did not mean that he was never in the city that he always preferred to call “The Federal City.” Indeed, he was here numerous times, often on his way from Mount Vernon […]
Fear has been an American tradition since 1692, so it is hardly surprising that Stephen Colbert picked ‘Fear’ as a guiding principle for his rally on October 30. Colbert understands what Americans want, and he is giving it to them. Whatever your fear may be, whether it’s fear of higher taxes, fear of losing your […]
On September 24, 1895, the Washington Post ran an article with the intriguing title “A Capitol Ghost Story.” Reprinted from the Kansas City Times, it related a story told by Colonel Brent Stacy, who had been a tour guide in the Capitol for “several years.” During this time, he saw numerous “queer things” of which […]