AOI Luncheon Recordings

AOI Provides On-line Audio & Video of Luncheon Talks

Since 1999, audio cassette recordings of AOI's monthly luncheons have been filed in our archive (MS422) at the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. Beginning with the February 2016 luncheon we have been capturing our business meetings, announcements and featured speakers in digital form. These 60-90 minute files will be aggregated, burned to a CD/DVD or other archival media and placed on file at the Historical Society at the end of the calendar year. We realize that taking this approach, we may be delaying access to these talks. While we do not have statistics to support the use of these audio files in the past, we do not want to place at a disadvantage anyone who would like access to the talks in the mean time. So, we are providing the audio portion -- and now Zoom or videos as of 2021 -- of the monthly luncheons here on our web site so they might be enjoyed by those unable to attend or by others who may want to use components of the talks in their research. If any of the contents is used or quoted in published works, essays or blogs, please give proper credit to both the speakers and the AOI of DC.

We would be interested in any feedback, concerns or questions regarding this new feature. Email your feedback via our Contact Us form.

Additionally, the videos of luncheon programs can also be accessed via YouTube here: AOI's YouTube Channel

Author Derek Gray (Archivist at the DC Public Library's "Peoples' Archive" [formerly the Washingtoniana Division] at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library) discusses his book, "The NAACP in Washington, D.C." which traces the history of the DC chapter(s) of the organization from 1913 through the 1970's when Home Rule for the District was enacted.
AOI President Dr. Cindy Gueli presents Derek with an AOI gift bag, certificate, 2015 challenge coin and tote bag as a token of the organization's appreciation for his presentation.

The Washington Post's Obituary Editor Adam Bernstein discusses the art of writing news obituaries and the challenges the writers face in attempting to capture the essence of the subject's life. He is interviewed by AOI Vice-President Dr. Cindy Gueli and responds to hers and the audience's questions. AOI Program Chair Marcia Rock presents Adam with a poster her husband created to, in effect, encourage Adam to write a book and take his story on the road.

The NCPC's Karin Schierhold and Jeff Jamawat provide a presentation on "The Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative.” Several proposals for reimagining Pennsylvania Avenue to make it more people and event friendly.

Peter Sefton discusses the history of the District of Columbia's Recorder of Deeds Building and its architect Nathan Wyeth. Mr. Sefton focuses not only on the historic building and the threats to its preservation but also of the extensive collection of WPA art and murals that adorn the building's interior.
As part of the program, AOI made available for sale and as table prizes copies of the Living New Deal organization's beautify map and locations of WPA projects in the District and nearby locations. To purchase a copy of the organization's DC-centric brochure or those of other metropolitan areas, go to their web site, view the offerings and purchase copies at:
livingnewdeal.org.

Marc Leepson discusses his book, "Desperate Engagement: How a Little-Known Civil War Battle Saved Washington, D.C., and Changed the Course of American History." His light-hearted talk, though on a serious subject, was supported by numerous graphics depicting battles, maps and military personnel. Note: the program at right beings at 2:20 into the video.

The D.C. Police Foundation President Patrick Burke (MPDC Ass't. Chief, Retired) and Nicholas Bruel (MPDC Lt., Retired) discuss the programs of the foundation and newly energized efforts to fundraise, redesign and realize the D.C. Police Memorial in front of the James Daly Headquarters Building at 300 Indiana Avenue.

Due to technical difficulties we were not able to gracefully wrap up the program so we're providing links to the DCPF's website and donation page: DC Police Foundation and a shortcut to donate to their programs.

DC Public Library Executive Director Richard Reyes-Gavilan spoke on the efforts that went into the revitalization and re-imagining of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library and up-dated AOI members and their guests on the on-going developments to make all of the District's branch libraries models of welcoming, educating, learning spaces.

Mary Belcher speaks on the history of the Walter Peirce Park Cemeteries in her talk, "A Place of Their Own Making: How African American activists created the Mount Pleasant Plains Cemetery."

AOI returns to its in-person member luncheons and speaker presentations on November 17, 2021 when we heard from African American Civil War Museum Founder and Director Dr. Frank Smith. This was the AOI's first function since February 2020 when activities were brought to a halt by the Covid-19 Pandemic. The new venue for AOI activities is the Women's National Democratic Club.
[Note: View in Full Screen to use controls/slider.]

AOI's second Zoom membership meeting was conducted September 2, 2021, when the membership was asked to approve a slate of new Officers and Directors and approve the AOI Legacy Endowment plan.

AOI's first ever Zoom membership meeting was held on March 26, 2021 and was the first time the membership was able to "gather" since its last meeting in Feb. 2020 due to the pandemic. There were 75 members who participated and we hope you'll watch or listen to the event to know what the AOI Board of Directors have done to keep the organization together during the pandemic. This is our first attempt at posting a Zoom meeting or video to this page.

You can listen/view the program at the right. If you wish to use the slider to advance the program, you'll have click on the Full Screen icon in the lower right. Press ESC to exit full screen mode.

Casey Trees' Community Education Coordinator Gabrielle Rovigno discusses the District's historic designation as a City of Trees, a historic overview of the city's urban forest and efforts underway today to ensure a healthy tree canopy to help mitigate the effects of erosion, CO2 sequestration, beauty and livability.

Robert Headley (R) and Pat Padua (L) present a program on "The History of Motion Picture Exhibition in the Washington Metropolitan Area" as AOI President Thomas Neale looks on. The slide-illustrated talk covered the earliest motion pictures houses in DC to the downfall of historic movie houses to the rise of the now common multiplex theatres.

AOI member Jenny Masur spoke on her book, "The Heroes of the Underground Railroad around Washington, D.C." Jenny served for seventeen years with the National Park Service as the National Capital Region’s manager for the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

AOI member and author John DeFerrari kicks off a session of member reminiscences about streetcars and other modes of public transportation in D.C.

John presented images from his book, "Capital Streetcars" to encourage members of the audience to share their memories of commuting to and from school, work, shopping and social events.

Heurich House Executive Director Kim Bender shares her research on Myrtilla Miner and the school she established for African American girls which later became the D.C. Teachers College then Federal City College and now the University of the District of Columbia. Kim's talk, "Myrtilla Miner's Normal School for Colored Girls."

AOI member and author Garrett Peck speaks on his most recent work, "The Great War in America." Garrett drew on his research and familiarity with the AOI and its members' interests to highlight portions of his book that were relevant to his District of Columbia-centric audience.

Kim Prothro Williams discusses her book, "Lost Farms and Estates of Washington, D.C." Kim is an employee of the District of Columbia's Historic Preservation Office (a division of the Office of Planning) and works on behalf of the District to write nominations for Historic designation and researches historic D.C. properties.
[Note: the business portion of the day's program, announcements and Historian Nelson Rimensnyder's trivia challenge are not included due to a technical issue.]

Rebecca Boggs Roberts discusses her book, "Suffragists in Washington, D.C." detailing the near century long effort for women's voting rights. Rebecca describes in eye-opening detail the plans for the women's march on Washington and the efforts at men and other obstructionists at their attempts to disrupt it.
Also, at the opening of the program newest AOI member Knight Kiplinger addresses the membership in a tribute to the 49 victims of hate violence that occurred earlier in the day in Christ Church, New Zealand.

Lynetta Stevens and her father Stewart discuss his decades long career as a chandelier cleaner and window washer in the White House. Mr. Stevens served while seven Presidents of both parties and their families came and went. Listen to Stewart's fascinating stories as he recalls, "The White House Chandeliers." Also, about 15 minutes into the business meeting and announcements portion of the program, listen to the unbelievable development that has occurred in the case that author Anthony Pitch covered in his 2016 novel, "The Last Lynching..."

Washington Post columnist John Kelly discussed the District's "Lost Laws" which had been 'on the books' since the early 1870s and were resurrected in the early 1950's in the civil rights efforts to afford accommodations to African Americans attempting to patronize traditionally all-white restaurants.
"The District of Columbia's 'Lost Laws' and their impact on restaurant patrons"

Mitchell Yockelson, one of America’s foremost experts on the First World War, holds a doctorate from the Royal Military College of Science, Cranfield University, in the United Kingdom, is the recipient of the Army Historical Foundation’s Distinguished Writing Award, is an investigative archivist at the National Archives and Records Administration, as well as a former professor of military history at the United States Naval Academy. He currently teaches at Norwich University. At the 4th and final AOI luncheon dedicated to the centennial of World War I, Yockelson spoke on: Forty-seven Days: How Pershing’s Warriors Came of Age to Defeat the German Army.

Dr. Ruth Trocolli, the District of Columbia's Chief Archeologist in the Historic Preservation Office (under the Office of Planning) describes her office's role, the importance -- though lack of authority -- of examining construction sites and other discoveries for artifacts and also reviewed individual efforts including the examination of the Yarrow Mamout site in Georgetown and the "Shotgun House" on Capitol Hill.

AOI member Loretta Neumann, President of the Alliance for the Civil War Defenses of Washington, presented a history of the Civil War forts that encircle the District, the historic battle of Ft. Stevens and some of the public programs now being offered to commemorate the Battle of Ft. Stevens and the community and neighborhood that supported that facility during the Civil War. Loretta's talk begins about 48 minutes into the program but is terminated prior to her conclusion as our digital recording device ran out of memory.

Prior to Loretta's talk, HSW Director John Suau provided an update on the Historical Society's planned reopening of the Kiplinger Research Library and a new Washington History Center in the restored Carnegie Library. The restored library will open as a new Apple Flagship Store and Washington History Center in mid-December 2018. John's talk begin at about 21 minutes into the program.

Author W. Douglas Fisher who along with Joann Buckley wrote “African American Doctors in World War I: The Lives of 104 Volunteers” gave the 3rd of 4 planned talks to the AOI in recognition of the Centennial of World War I. Mr. Fisher was accompanied by Urbane Bass the grandson of one of those doctors who served and died in service to his country.
[Note: Mr. Fisher's presentation beings at appx. the 18 minute mark in the program]

AOI member John DeDeffari presented a series of images on "Bygone Industrial DC" to kick off a session of member reminiscences which was a hallmark of AOI meetings of old. The business meeting, announcements, trivia and John's kick off together with several minutes of reminiscences are captured on our digital audio feature to the right; however, a technical glitch -- the batteries died -- prevented the live capture of about 20 minutes of open-mike recollections but they are summarized here: "Bygone Industrial DC"

Elizabeth Foxwell, author of "In Their Own Words: American Women in World War I," gave a fact-filled presentation focused on District of Columbia women who served. Due to a technical glitch, we missed the first 3 minutes of Elizabeth's talk but we have summarized them here:
There were 4.7 million U.S service members worldwide in WWI. There were 53,402 battled-related deaths, roughly equivalent to Vietnam. There were 63,114 other deaths and 204,000 wounded. These figures were from the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. Elizabeth explains that it is difficult to reconcile some numbers especially for US women in private relief organization (e.g., American Women’s War Relief Fund in Britain, with women such as Lou Henry Hoover, Jennie Jerome Churchill and Ruth Bryan Owen. There were 11,275 Yeoman (F [female]) in Nov. 1918, 305 “Marinettes” (female Marines), 223 “Hello Girls” (telephone/switchboard operations in the Signal Corps) and then the audio portion of the program picks up with “23,822 as the number of Army, Navy and Red Cross nurses…”
Her talk begins 21:25 into the program following the AOI business meeting.

Matt Margis, a historian in the Histories Directorate at the US Army Center of Military History, tells us about African Americans in World War I.

The focus of his talk was on the National Guard elements and their role in WWI which was particularly timely as the Commanding General of the DC National Guard, Gen. William Walker, was present at the luncheon to hear Matthew's talk and to meet AOI members and officers who the DCNG will be partnering with on AOI's plans to observe the Centennial of the Armistice on Sunday, November 11, 2018 at the DC War Memorial.

Janet McFarland discusses the many efforts over the years -- lead primarily by the DC Chapter of the DAR -- to locate, repair/replace and protect the original boundary stones placed by Andrew Ellicott and Benjamin Banneker to demark the 10 square mile perimeter of the city.

AOI President Bill Brown opens, "Janet McFarland will take us on a journey of discovery to learn about the laying of the first Boundary Stone to today and the recent restoration efforts in her talk, “Boundary Stones - Birthstones of our Nation's Capital.” Her talk begins at about 23 minutes into the audio.

Kenneth Burke of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine discusses the life of Clara Barton and her Office of Missing Soldiers in his role as its Site Manager.

AOI Member Anita Lee discusses her research and book dedicated to the life of her mother, Evelyn Christian, and her experiences growing up in the District of Columbia.

Smithsonian curator and AOI member Helena Wright discusses "The Smithsonian's First Collection."

Stephen "Skip" Moskey discusses the influences that Larz and Isabelle Anderson (of Anderson House fame) had on the design of that iconic property (now the home for the Society of the Cincinnati) and the influences they brought from their Brookline, MA estate.

Historian Kathryn Allamong Jacob discusses her book, "King of the Lobby: The Life & Times of Sam Ward, Man About Washington in the Gilded Age"
Kathryn's talk begins at the 25 minute mark of the sound bar.

AOI Member and Cherry Blossom author Ann McClellan hosts a panel on the history of Bonsai and their importance to this country and special relationship we have with Japan. Sandra Moore and Steven Voss contribute to the presentation as Sandra has written a children's book on Bonsai and Steven has extensively photographed and published his photos of the collection at the National Arboretum.

John P. Richardson (AOI's Secretary) discusses his recently published biography of the District's 2nd Territorial Governor Alexander Shepherd. "Alexander Robey Shepherd: The Man Who Built the Nation's Capital" traces Shepherd's life as an apprentice plumber, businessman, legislator, Governor and silver mining entrepreneur.

Melanie Choukas-Bradley discusses the History and Natural History of Rock Creek Park speaking not only of it history as a park but about the animal life, plant life and natural wonders found throughout the park during all four seasons. (November 18, 2016)

Retired NCPC Staff Member David Hamilton discusses some of the challenges faced by reviewing authorities when considering new and proposed memorials and monuments in Washington, D.C. (October 21, 2016)

John Michael discusses his book, "The History of Ft. Leslie J. McNair.
(September 16, 2016)

A Civil Servant Designed Our National Banner: The Unsung Story of Francis Hopkinson
(June 17, 2016)

The Veterans History Project (May 20, 2016)

The Library of Congress' Veterans History Project is explained by its Director Robert Patrick.

Collecting Shakespeare: Henry & Emily Folger (April 15, 2016)

Stephen Grant discusses Henry & Emily Folger's life-long project to collect the works of Shakespeare and establish the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C.

The Lipstick Brigade: The Untold True Story of Washington's World War II Government Girls

American University Professor Cindy Gueli shares her research and first hand accounts of the World War II Government Girls.

William D. Nixon: The Oldest Inhabitants
Incorporated and Civic Activism

William D. Nixon was President of the AOI (Colored), Incorporated from 1942 until 1962. His granddaughter Delores Mounsey talks about her grandfather's life of civic activism in the District of Columbia.

Here is the audio of our final two 2015 luncheons: