Today in history class we learned about Dumbarton Oaks, designed by founding ASLA member Beatrix Jones Farrand. When I lived in Georgetown from 1997-1999, I jogged by DO nearly 5-6 times a week. It's on "R" Street, NW next to the weird Rock Creek spooky cemetary. Anyway, in my Georgetown days, I was aware of the importance of DO but only because it was the site where dignitaries met to discuss the creation of the United Nations shortly after WW2 ended. I had no idea it was more than a fancy shmancy Georgetown house.
Apparently, DO is also one of the premiere examples of eclectic private garden design from the early 20th century. Go figure.
Anyway, all of this recalling of old times made me think about something rather remarkable. When I was in 7th grade, the rage of fashion was to have collegiate sweatshirts. People would wear Harvard, Penn, and Columbia sweatshirts. It was all very well intentioned, although I bet most of the people ended up at state schools when we graduated high school. Anyway, my sister and I got two such sweatshirts, which we shared. The sweatshirt I got was a Georgetown University sweatshirt - it was navy blue with the school's seal on it (with the eagle, not the Hoya or bulldog). The one my sister had was a Berkeley sweatshirt. It was white with blue and gold lettering and had some scrolls on it or something.
It turns out I went to both of these schools! I never even remembered this coincidence until today. Something about those sweatshirts...
Thinking about DO and that ratty old sweatshirt, I recall how much I like the environs of DC. Not particularly the social atmosphere, but in general the whole weird assortment of people, places, landmarks, diversity, politics and shenanagins. Berkeley is much different, but not worse or better. Just different, and more Asian people.
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