Eastern Market

Bibliographic Essay

The best way to discover the battle over the future of Eastern Market is through the primary sources available from the Special Collections Department at The George Washington University’s Gelman Library.

Of utmost value is Series 4 of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society, records (MS2009/004: Eastern Market). For this module, Boxes 13 and 19 proved most valuable, and would be of use for further inquiry into the debate over the Dewberry & Davis recommendations. However, the series is composed of seven boxes tracing the history of the efforts to preserve and develop Eastern Market dating to the 1950s, and can provide an excellent context to the longer history of efforts to preserve and develop Eastern Market. This series also includes documents which provide a general history of the market, as well as other public markets in the District.

The Ruth Ann Overbeck Papers also include a number if interesting pieces, especially an original copy of the Dewberry and Davis proposal. Again, these documents are particularly useful in identifying a longer and broader history of Eastern Market.

The Washington Post contains several articles which can further contextualize Eastern Market’s historical place in the District and the efforts to renovate the building and business model.

Bibliographic Citations

Eastern Market Preservation and Development Corporation: Study August–December 1981, MS2009-004-0019-00013, Capitol Hill Restoration Society, records, Special Collections and University Archives, Gelman Library, The George Washington University.

This box contains several documents of note, including several responses critical to the proposal, as well as media circulated to garner community involvement in the decision making process.

Community Development Corporation: June, July -- Community Steering Committee for the Eastern Market Area Study, Organization Chart, Recommendations 1982, MS2009-004-0013-00006, Capitol Hill Restoration Society, records, Special Collections and University Archives, Gelman Library, The George Washington University.

This folder contains a copy of the study as submitted to the pffice of the mayor, as well as the collected letters in favor or against the proposal.

MS2032, Ruth Ann Overbeck Papers & Washington Perspectives, Inc Records, Special Collections and University Archives, Gelman Library, The George Washington University.

Of note in this collection are Boxes 3 (Folder 10), 19B (Folders 11–15), 20 (Folders1–11), and 43. Box 43 contains a large size original of the Dewberry and Davis proposal, complete with architectural plans.

“Eastern Market Gets a New Boost,” The Washington Post, 17 September 1987, sec. District Weekly, p. J1

"Repairs Lag At Eastern Market; Funding Cuts Outrage Preservation Backers," The Washington Post, sec. D.C. Extra, p. T03.

"Eastern Market Looks Forward to Face Lift —But Not Too Much," The Washington Post, 29 September 1988, sec. District Weekly, p. J1.

"A Turning Point in 'Thirty Years' War';Capitol Hill Residents See Better Times for Historic Shopping Site," The Wahsington Post, sec. D.C. Extra, p. T08.