Mitchell Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Mitchell Park stands today as a unique piece of Washington history. The original property of 600 acres was deeded in 1663 to George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore. However, in late 18th century, much of the original property was force conveyed or sold to the newly established City of Washington and other individuals. What remained was an estate known as the Holmead-Kall Estate. After the Civil War development followed, and land was partitioned into smaller lots. Elizabeth and Morton Mitchell bought a portion of the land in 1901. Mr. Mitchell died shortly after, and his wife gave the property to the District in 1918, with the stipulation that her dog’s burial plot not be disturbed. This grave site still stands in what today is the playground.
The German Republic purchased a portion of the Holmead-Kall estate for their embassy in 1906 and razed the Holmead House in 1929. During World War II, the American government confiscated this property and annexed it to adjacent Mitchell Park, creating the park we know today. In 1980, the D.C. Department of Recreation and Parks discovered the foundation of the Holmead-Kall Home during an archaeological dig in Mitchell Park. The buried foundation was placed on National Register of Historic Places in 1995. According to archaeologists, the Holmead-Kall site is one of the few sites in Washington that dates to the 18th century.
Timeline
1663
Original 600 acres deeded in 1663 to George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore.
Several generations later the land passed to an Englishman, Anthony Holmead who passed it to his nephew.
1750-1794
In 1750, Anthony Holmead II built a manor house, named Belair. In 1794, Holmead was forced to convey or sell the southern portion of the estate to the new city of Washington. He sold Belair the same year due to heavy taxation retaining 56 acres.
1795-1900
In 1795 Holed built a two-story brick home on what is now Mitchell Park. This remained in the hands of Holmead descendants until the 20th century, when Mrs Sophia Kall, Holmead’s great-granddaughter sold the property to Thomas Davidson.
1901-1906
Davidson sold the western section of the park property to Elizabeth and Morton Mitchell. The German Republic purchased the other section for their Embassy, and this land was confiscated by the US government during WWI.
1918-1930
Mrs Mitchell gave her property to the District in 1918. The Holmead home was demolished in 1929, while the Field House was designed and completed in 1931. Of frame construction, it was based on the eighteenth-century Tidewater hall-and-parlor house.
1992-1997
In 1992, two young mothers, Holly Sukenik and Betsy Santarlasci, began a 5-year-long conversation about the deterioration of Mitchell Park and the formation of a Friends group.
1998
Holly and Betsy convened a group of interested neighbors and the group outlined their vision of the Park as the focal point for the neighborhood to gather and a public space that deserved beautification.
2004
After years of partnering with the Department of Park and Recreation, fundraising, and even an archaeological dig, the “new” Mitchell Park reopened on October 31, 2004.
2014
Friends of Mitchell Park celebrates 10th anniversary with park renovations including new playground, benches and picnic tables and renovated recreation building.
Today
Today, the Friends of Mitchell Park (FOMP) is an all volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the beauty of Mitchell Park for the enjoyment of neighbors and friends.
Mission and Board
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Mission Statement
“The Friends of Mitchell Park fosters the improvement and maintenance of Mitchell Park to meet the needs of our diverse neighborhood. Our goal is to provide space and facilities for children, adults and pets as well as quiet areas for families and individuals to enjoy. We strive to make Mitchell Park a safe, beautiful, well-maintained gathering place for all Sheridan-Kalorama residents.”
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Board Officers
Robert Nevitt, President
Holly Sukenik, Vice President
Bill O’Brien, Secretary
Ellen Kelley. Treasurer
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Board of Directors
Alison Adkins
Barbara Davis Blum
Ellen Goldstein
Jeanett Yonemoto
Kindy French
Lynne Lambert
Tim Gowa
Emily Nestler
Conor Wolchesky
Virginia Ourisman
Playground Before
Walk Before
House Before
Playground After
Walk After
House After
FAQs
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Friends of Mitchell Park has the following committees: maintenance, activities, website, and fundraising. We are an all volunteer organization, and we welcome your participation. Please contact us to express your interest.
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Friends are 501(c)(3) non-profit, community-led organizations established primarily to support and advocate for a specific park in the Washngton D.C. Park and Recreation (DPR) system. Friends groups advocate, fundraise, maintain and assist in the planning process for the park. They serve as a liaison to the city to provide feedback on neighborhood park issues and priorities.
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Friends of Mitchell Park works in partnership with DPR in the Maintenance of the Park that include plantings of trees, herbs, bushes and flowers, cleanup, weeding, and beautification. We also organize recreational activities for the neighborhood. Our keynote event is the annual Fall Fun Day on the last weekend of October, which over 300 neighbors regularly attend. Our summer films in the field series are held every third Thursday of the month from June to September. We fundraise annually with all the proceeds going to park maintenance and upkeep.
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The DC Department requires a permit for any private event for over 10 people. Please contact D.C. Dept of Parks and Recreation. We suggest that you contact the Permit Office of DPR as soon as you know the date of your event. It receives many applications throughout the year.
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If there is an issue within the park, call 311, to request assistance with city services. The 311 center is open 24 hours, 365 day.
If it is not an urgent situation, contact us. We may be able to answer your question or direct your inquiry to the appropriate person.