Things to do in DC ❀️‍πŸ”₯ Civil War refugee camp & fall activities


Love is Blind talk has officially taken over all of my social feeds, and I have been loving the gossip--but at the same, it feels weird! Because they're in our orbits.

I'm usually a Bravo reality TV girl. The production team is just unmatched. The fact that the producers didn't find the extra money to get Leo and Brittany past the pods should tell you everything you need to know about the difference in production quality between the two.

I'm not saying that Bravo shows are perfect. But they know good TV and a good story arc when they see one, and I don't think they would have let that one go.

Valerie

Things to Know in DC

Theodore Roosevelt Island was a refugee camp for those escaping slavery for about a year during the Civil War.

During the Civil War, the Federal (northern) government set up "contraband camps" for the formerly enslaved. I recently did a video about it where you can learn more, but I want to talk a little about things I couldn't fit into the video.

Conditions were bad. Quaker aid workers who came to educate and train the residents were so appalled with the conditions that they spent months focusing on building a hospital, stemming disease, and getting everyone a pail so they could use the well to get water.

The residents were placed with employers, but not always to good results. The Holland family ended up on the farm of Joseph Childs, a man who probably enslaved people on his farm near Millersville, MD (someone with his name & living nearby is listed as enslaving 2 children in 1860). The Hollands were never paid for their work, and when William Holland went back to get his family, Childs brutally beat him and shot at him. Holland ended up at the Freedmen's Hospital (now Howard Hospital), and it's not known what happened to the family.

I first learned of this from a great StoryMap that I encourage you to read to learn more.

Things to Do in DC: Next 4 Weeks

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This Week

  • Put your dog in the spotlight and compete for the best-dressed pup at Dogtober Fest in Art Garden. Early birds get a free professional dog portrait. Thursday 10/10. Free.
  • Explore an urban farm and taste food from local chefs at A Night on the Farm for the Common Good City Farm fundraiser. Thursday 10/10. $65.
  • Say goodbye to summer with a tiki boat party. Price includes a seltzer, the main draw is the vibes and views. Friday 10/11. $40.
  • Help decide the winner on a BBQ cook-off between District Flames and Malia's Kitchen at Rhode Island Row. You can try out local samples from Exotic Wines & Liquors + kids activities if you're bringing the family. Saturday 10/12. Free.
  • Find some great vintage furniture steals at the Pegleg Warehouse liquidation sale. Stay tuned at their Instagram page @peglegvintage for sneak peek photos of individual sale items. 10/12-10/13.
  • Bring your family to experience grain cooking and live milling demonstrations at the Pierce Mill in Rock Creek Park. You can head on to the farmers' market, and support local grain farmers and millers, along with music, arts, and fun activities. Saturday 10/12. Free.
  • ​The Price is Right is coming to National Harbor for a live stage show, where audience members will be chosen to play the game! Saturday 10/12. $55+.
  • Which country has the best Jollof? Cast your vote for the best at the Afrobeats Block Party & Jollof Cookoff. Saturday 10/12. $30+.
  • ​Miss Adams Morgan is back, celebrating its 36th year of the funnest drag competition in DC. This year's theme is Game Night. Saturday 10/12. $100.
  • Sing & dance at the BeyoncΓ© Block Party at the Bullpen. Saturday 10/12. $20.
  • ​Oyster Wars at the Salt Line will give you tastings of oysters up & down the eastern seaboard. Drinks not included. Sunday 10/13. $65+.
  • ​Paws in the Park celebrates our furry friends with a festival that's pet friendly! Features live entertainment, food & drink, vendors, shopping, and adoptable animals. Sunday 10/13. Free.
  • Sing your heart out to an Indie Rock night karaoke on DC9 Nightclub. Sunday 10/13. Free.
  • Have fun this fall with 20+ activities at the 2024 Maryland Fall Festival. Go on hayrides, jumping pillows, slides, mini ziplines, pedal karts, and interact with farm animals at Maryland's large corn maze. Save $5 when you buy ahead online. Event runs now until Sunday 10/27. $20.

Next Week

  • It's the 100th year of Howard Homecoming! Check out the game, official activities, and parties for a weeklong celebration from 10/13-10/20. Homecoming game is Saturday 10/19.
  • Learn to craft cocktails and bouquets at Mix & Bloom. Monday 10/14. $55.
  • Help survey how many wild freshwater mussels at Kingman & Heritage Island Park. Waders will be provided if needed. Tuesday 10/15. Free.
  • Cookbook author Priya Krishna will have an Indian-ish happy hour and cooking demo with bite from Daru, plus you get a copy of her cookbook. Open bar. Thursday 10/17. $95.
  • ​It's cuffing season at this singles event in Whitlow's DC. They claim to have high success rates for dating, so get a green wristband if you're looking to match or a red one if you're taken but attending as a wingman. Friday 10/18. $11.
  • Create the perfect home for your Venus Fly Trap and more with Carnivorous Plant Basics and DIY Bog Gardens. Saturday 10/19. $20+.
  • Take a yoga class and decorate pumpkins in the style of Yayoi Kusama. Saturday 10/19. $68.
  • Rejuvenate with a 2.8 mile hike through the trails of National Arboretum and conclude with a chill yoga session. Perfect for fitness and yoga beginners. Sunday 10/20. Free.
  • Trade your houseplants for a one-on-one plant swap or give them away to new homes at MLK Library. You can also pick up some cuttings or new greenery for your home or office if you don't have anything to trade. Sunday 10/20. Free.​

Support local nonprofits

Join Spur Local at Community Changemakers on Wednesday, October 30th, from 6-8:30pm at Hook Hall in Northwest DC. It's their annual celebration of social impact with dozens of tabling nonprofits, an awards ceremony honoring three local Changemakers, drinks & Timber pizza, and fun ways to learn about getting involved in the area.

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Use code VALERIE20 at checkout to get 20% off tickets and get them now before the early bird sale ends.

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Further Out

  • It's Mount Pleasant Cocktail Week! Take part in classes, vote in the Bloody Mary competition, or sip favorites. 10/23-27. Varies.
  • ​Grab your free pumpkin at a pick-your-own pumpkin patch at Alethia Tanner Park. Baby alpacas will also be on-site for selfies, as well as face painting and henna. Thursday 10/24. Free.
  • ​Get spooky at the Folger and learn about its haunted history while also dancing to live music. Friday 10/25. Free.
  • The Haunted Jamboree wraps up with a glow-in-the-dark party where you get to play pickleball, ping pong, rollerskate in the dark with just glowsticks and black lights. Friday 10/25. Free?
  • Learn to make stuffed paper sculptures at an Art Enables workshop for all ages and abilities. Saturday 10/26. Free (donation suggested).
  • Want trick or treat for adults? Ready your spooky costumes and enjoy breweries while exploring the Metropolian Beer Trail. Win a gift certificate to one of the featured spots by completing at least three of your favorite venue haunts. Saturday 10/26. Free.
  • Spend a cozy evening learning how to draw with wool with Nastassja to guide you in a beginner-friendly class. Ticket includes a toolbox and a felted drawing to hang. Saturday 10/26. $85.
  • Dress as a witch, vampire, ghoul or any supernatural at the Witching Hour party for lesbians. Tag your friends along! Saturday 10/26. $5.
  • Register your dog for a Halloween costume contest and win some prizes for yourself too if you come spooky-prepared at the Cafe du Paws' Dog Happy Hours. Sunday 10/27. Free.
  • Have an unlimited taste of over a dozen limited-edition craft ales from your favorite local breweries at the Local Ale Festival. Sunday 10/27. $40.
  • The annual Dupont High Heel Race is back! This fun community event is one everyone should go to eat least once. Tuesday 10/29. Free.
  • Wrap up the Halloween with a suspense-filled night and solve an interactive murder mystery crime while feasting on a family-style dinner. Thursday 10/31. $90.
  • Savannah Bananas is returning to DC on June 2025 for the Banana Ball show featuring trick plays and fun sports play. Tickets for the show are not up yet, but you can join the ticket lottery list and get the chance to secure an early spot if you're drawn. Lottery closes on Friday 11/1.
  • Bryant Street Market is hosting their second annual Dia de Los Muertos block party. Friday 11/1. Free.
  • Dumbarton House has an upcoming Jane Austen Ball with waltz dance lessons at the start of the event. Tour the mansion, enjoy desserts and wine, and have a fun evening of waltzing. Friday 11/1. $59+
  • Catch the last date for the Lonnie Bee stage play "Around My Way" at the Blackbox Theatre. Tickets are selling fast so secure your spot right away. Friday 12/27. $45.

6218 Georgia Avenue NW Ste 1 - 656, Washington, DC 20011-5125
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Not Bored in DC

events calendar, hidden history, restaurants not to miss, and ways to enjoy the dmv

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