The Association of the Oldest Inhabitants is the leader in preserving the legacies of both the District of Columbia 16th Street Tree War Memorial (dedicated May 30, 1920) and the District of Columbia War Memorial on Ohio Drive (dedicated November 11, 1931)
AOI Members & Community Jointly Commemorate DC's World War I 16th Street Tree Memorial on May 30, 2010
Twenty-eight AOI members, neighbors and dignitaries joined together at 16th & Alaska Avenue, NW on Memorial Day 2010 to commemorate the 1920 dedication of the District's World War I 16th Street Tree Memorial (not to be confused with the DC War Memorial in Ash Grove on the Mall). DC Councilman Phil Mendelson read the Ceremonial Resolution that he introduced and was passed by the DC Council on May 4, 2010, recognizing the 90th Anniversary of the memorial's dedication and calling upon stakeholders to rededicate the memorial on its centennial, May 31, 2020. AOI is calling for the placement of appropriate commemorative waysides (informational markers) at both 16th & Alaska Avenue and at 16th & Varnum St (the southern most point of the 2.3 mile long memorial) in time for the 2020 centennial of the memorial. To read Washington Post columnist John Kelly's poignant account of two District brothers included in the Tree Memorial, click here: John Kelly's Washington (5/31/2010) DC Council Member Phil Mendelson Sponsors Ceremonial Resolution
To read the DC Council's Ceremonial Resolution, click here: DC Council Ceremonial Resolution. To view the AOI's on-going compilation of the District's War Dead who appear on the DC War Memorial and are remembered in the WWI 16th Street Tree Memorial, you may do so here: District of Columbia War Dead 1917-1918. Using this list, you can then view mini-biographies about 70 of those on the memorial: DC US Coast Guard & Navy Casualties. Please email any corrections, additions or question to us at [email protected].
October 2020: Read AOI Director Barbara Bates' two documents, "African American Men on the District of Columbia War Memorial and 16th Street Tree Memorial and Markers" and "Ten Women on the District of Columbia War Memorial." Dedication of the DC 16th Street Tree War Memorial Commemorative Wayside, Monday, May 30, 2022, 1pm
|
Sad Footnote to the Tree Memorial Story
On Dec. 21, 2011 long-time AOI member Lee Rogers died suddenly after a brief illness. Lee was the inspiration behind the AOI commemorating the 90th anniversary of the 16th Street Tree Memorial and had hoped to continue his research together with that of historian C.R. Gibbs to research the individual stories of the 499 District men and women who perished in service to their country. Now, Lee will not be a part of that initiative. The AOI hopes to work with DC Council Member Phil Graham, Ward 4 Council Member Muriel Bowser, the ANC, local neighborhoods, the DC Office of Historic Preservation, the Casey Tree Foundation, the American Legion, the VFW, the National Park Service and others to rehabilitate the stretch of 16th Street with new tree plantings and interpretive waysides in time for the memorial's centennial in 2020. The Unveiling and Dedication of the District of Columbia 16th Street Tree War Memorial Commemorative Wayside on Memorial Day, May 30, 2022.
|
Even as issues involving the DC 16th Street Tree Memorial seem to be resolved... another mystery arises...
Of the original 507 (and more later added) mounted copper shields/plaques that honor the District residents who perished in WWI, only one plaque remains intact and it resides safely in the office of the DC Council Chair. Additionally, we have only been able to locate the “stumps” of seven cement bases/plinths (without shields) along the 2 + mile stretch of 16th Street.
AOI Past-Director Barbara Bates has spent countless hours documenting the Ten Women on the DC War Memorial and DC Tree Memorial and The African American Soldiers of WWI (as neither the DC War Memorial nor Tree Memorial ever listed the fallen by gender, race or rank). Additionally, we have compiled an extensive spreadsheet of all DC WWI Veterans from various sources in order to provide a comprehensive listing of our fellow citizens who died in that conflict. We thought we had it all figured out (though new items turn up from time to time for existing names) until late in December 2023…
We received an email from someone whose relative apparently is in possession of a 16th Street Tree Memorial plaque for a veteran, Daniel Bensinger, whose name does not appear in any of records. This is now only the fourth intact marker we know to exist!
The AOI has arranged with Dr. Lopez Matthews, DC State Archivist, to accession the plaque into the archive's collection should the current holder agree to donate it. We are working to encourage that donation. In the meantime, other than Daniel Bensinger's name appearing in the Find-A-Grave website that indicates he is buried at the "Washington Hebrew Congregation Cemetery" and is the son of Samuel Bensinger and Jeannette Coblens Bensinger. Married Emma Cecilia Mellon, 28 Oct 1917, there is no documented record of him appearing among the original 507 names included on the Tree Memorial nor the 23 added in 1922. We are continuing our quest to learn more about Daniel Bailey Bensinger (1891-1918) in hopes of resolving this mystery.
For more up-to-date information, please visit the 16th Street Tree Memorial Facebook group here: (1) DC's 16th Street WWI Tree Memorial | Facebook
AOI Past-Director Barbara Bates has spent countless hours documenting the Ten Women on the DC War Memorial and DC Tree Memorial and The African American Soldiers of WWI (as neither the DC War Memorial nor Tree Memorial ever listed the fallen by gender, race or rank). Additionally, we have compiled an extensive spreadsheet of all DC WWI Veterans from various sources in order to provide a comprehensive listing of our fellow citizens who died in that conflict. We thought we had it all figured out (though new items turn up from time to time for existing names) until late in December 2023…
We received an email from someone whose relative apparently is in possession of a 16th Street Tree Memorial plaque for a veteran, Daniel Bensinger, whose name does not appear in any of records. This is now only the fourth intact marker we know to exist!
The AOI has arranged with Dr. Lopez Matthews, DC State Archivist, to accession the plaque into the archive's collection should the current holder agree to donate it. We are working to encourage that donation. In the meantime, other than Daniel Bensinger's name appearing in the Find-A-Grave website that indicates he is buried at the "Washington Hebrew Congregation Cemetery" and is the son of Samuel Bensinger and Jeannette Coblens Bensinger. Married Emma Cecilia Mellon, 28 Oct 1917, there is no documented record of him appearing among the original 507 names included on the Tree Memorial nor the 23 added in 1922. We are continuing our quest to learn more about Daniel Bailey Bensinger (1891-1918) in hopes of resolving this mystery.
For more up-to-date information, please visit the 16th Street Tree Memorial Facebook group here: (1) DC's 16th Street WWI Tree Memorial | Facebook
AOI Finalizes Efforts to Identify 22 of the 23 Remaining Unknown Veterans Added to the 16th Street Tree Memorial on February 6, 1922 (New - November 25, 2024)
The Association of the Oldest Inhabitants (AOI) of D.C. has long been dedicated to preserving the history and honoring the memories of the city's past residents. Among their many initiatives, the efforts of Past-President Bill Brown and Past-Director Barbara Bates to identify the remaining 23 of the 530 D.C. World War I veterans added to the 16th Street Tree Memorial on February 6, 1922, stand out as a testament to their commitment and perseverance.
The 16th Street Tree Memorial, established shortly after World War I, serves as a living tribute to the brave men and women from the Washington, D.C. area, who served in the Great War. Each tree planted along this historic avenue represents a veteran, creating a poignant and enduring reminder of their sacrifices. However, over the years, the identities of some of these veterans had become obscured, with 22 of 23 names remaining unidentified among the 530 total commemorated.
Bill Brown and Barbara Bates took on the formidable task of uncovering the identities of these forgotten heroes. Their efforts involved meticulous research, combing through historical records, military archives, and personal documents. This painstaking work required not only a deep understanding of the historical context but also a relentless dedication to ensuring that every veteran's story was brought to light.
In 2023, their attention was directed to one copper shield that emerged via an on-line inquiry to the AOI revealing the heretofore unknown name of Daniel Bensinger, USA Army who was not among any of the lists compiled by Brown and Bates over their many years of research. With the discovery of the Bensinger shield, it was surmised that his was among the 23 added to the 2-mile-long tree memorial on February 6, 1922. The complete list of the vetted names was provided to the Costello Post of the American Legion, according to articles in both the “Washington Times-Herald” and “Washington Post” on February 6, 1922 but has never been found. The American Forestry Association, now simply American Forests, was cited in a similar article with one of their employees unfurling a long scroll of all 530 names then contained along the memorial but research has proven unable to locate that scroll or the names.
Their work was not just about filling in the blanks of history; it was about restoring the honor and recognition that these veterans deserved. By identifying the remaining 23 veterans, Brown and Bates ensured that each tree on 16th Street could be properly attributed, allowing families and descendants to connect with their ancestors' legacies. This act of remembrance also served to educate the public about the contributions and sacrifices of D.C.'s World War I veterans, fostering a deeper appreciation for the city's rich history.
On Memorial Day, May 30, 2022, the Association of the Oldest Inhabitants of the District of Columbia unveiled and dedicated a new interpretive wayside at 16th Street and Alaska Avenue, NW which details the history of the 16th Street Tree Memorial and those who are memorialized there.
Brown and Bates have surmised that the names of the unknown 22 (in addition to Daniel Bensinger) might be among those they have compiled over the years from various sources such as “Soldiers of the Great War,” “National Capital Press,” those inscribed on “The Supreme Sacrifice” sculpture located in the John A. Wilson (District) Building and other sources. Among these sources, 22 names (listed below) which are not among those on the 16th Street Tree Memorial, or the DC War Memorial on Ohio Drive, are being “suggested” as possibly those 22 of the 23 added in 1922.
In conclusion, the efforts of the Association of the Oldest Inhabitants exemplify the mission of the organization to honor and preserve the history of Washington, D.C. Their members’ dedication to identifying the remaining 23 World War I veterans added to the 16th Street Tree Memorial is a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering and honoring those who have served. Through their work, they have ensured that the legacy of these veterans will continue to be recognized and celebrated for generations to come.
*Narrative supplemented by Microsoft CoPilot 2024-11-16
The Association of the Oldest Inhabitants (AOI) of D.C. has long been dedicated to preserving the history and honoring the memories of the city's past residents. Among their many initiatives, the efforts of Past-President Bill Brown and Past-Director Barbara Bates to identify the remaining 23 of the 530 D.C. World War I veterans added to the 16th Street Tree Memorial on February 6, 1922, stand out as a testament to their commitment and perseverance.
The 16th Street Tree Memorial, established shortly after World War I, serves as a living tribute to the brave men and women from the Washington, D.C. area, who served in the Great War. Each tree planted along this historic avenue represents a veteran, creating a poignant and enduring reminder of their sacrifices. However, over the years, the identities of some of these veterans had become obscured, with 22 of 23 names remaining unidentified among the 530 total commemorated.
Bill Brown and Barbara Bates took on the formidable task of uncovering the identities of these forgotten heroes. Their efforts involved meticulous research, combing through historical records, military archives, and personal documents. This painstaking work required not only a deep understanding of the historical context but also a relentless dedication to ensuring that every veteran's story was brought to light.
In 2023, their attention was directed to one copper shield that emerged via an on-line inquiry to the AOI revealing the heretofore unknown name of Daniel Bensinger, USA Army who was not among any of the lists compiled by Brown and Bates over their many years of research. With the discovery of the Bensinger shield, it was surmised that his was among the 23 added to the 2-mile-long tree memorial on February 6, 1922. The complete list of the vetted names was provided to the Costello Post of the American Legion, according to articles in both the “Washington Times-Herald” and “Washington Post” on February 6, 1922 but has never been found. The American Forestry Association, now simply American Forests, was cited in a similar article with one of their employees unfurling a long scroll of all 530 names then contained along the memorial but research has proven unable to locate that scroll or the names.
Their work was not just about filling in the blanks of history; it was about restoring the honor and recognition that these veterans deserved. By identifying the remaining 23 veterans, Brown and Bates ensured that each tree on 16th Street could be properly attributed, allowing families and descendants to connect with their ancestors' legacies. This act of remembrance also served to educate the public about the contributions and sacrifices of D.C.'s World War I veterans, fostering a deeper appreciation for the city's rich history.
On Memorial Day, May 30, 2022, the Association of the Oldest Inhabitants of the District of Columbia unveiled and dedicated a new interpretive wayside at 16th Street and Alaska Avenue, NW which details the history of the 16th Street Tree Memorial and those who are memorialized there.
Brown and Bates have surmised that the names of the unknown 22 (in addition to Daniel Bensinger) might be among those they have compiled over the years from various sources such as “Soldiers of the Great War,” “National Capital Press,” those inscribed on “The Supreme Sacrifice” sculpture located in the John A. Wilson (District) Building and other sources. Among these sources, 22 names (listed below) which are not among those on the 16th Street Tree Memorial, or the DC War Memorial on Ohio Drive, are being “suggested” as possibly those 22 of the 23 added in 1922.
In conclusion, the efforts of the Association of the Oldest Inhabitants exemplify the mission of the organization to honor and preserve the history of Washington, D.C. Their members’ dedication to identifying the remaining 23 World War I veterans added to the 16th Street Tree Memorial is a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering and honoring those who have served. Through their work, they have ensured that the legacy of these veterans will continue to be recognized and celebrated for generations to come.
*Narrative supplemented by Microsoft CoPilot 2024-11-16
August 12, 2024 - The DC Archives on Naylor Court. Architectural rendering of the new facility pictured in upper left along with a sculpture of Abe Lincoln as a farm boy.
|
AOI Past-President Bill Brown presents DC Archivist Dr. Lopez Matthews with the 16th Street WWI Tree Memorial shield of William P. Slattery which Bill purchased on behalf of the AOI on eBay. It is one of only four known to remain: one is in DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson's office, one is enroute to the archives by a holder and the fourth will, with fingers crossed, one day be donated, too. William Slattery was a US Coast Guard "Boy First Class." His memorial was #409 located along the 2-mile stretch of 16th Street and was dedicated in 1920 along with 506 others. The following is from Naval-History.net:
SLATTERY, WILLIAM PATRICK, Boy, 1st class, USCG, (mother, Mrs. Margaret Mclane, 836 Fifth Street N E, Washington, D C), USS Gresham, ex-USCG revenue cutter, patrol and escort vessel, died at Naval Hospital, Norfolk, Va, respiratory disease, October 5, 1918 |
The Four Women on the DC War Memorials
Who Had No Headstones or Recognition
As part of her on-going research to document and preserve details about the men and women of the District of Columbia who are memorialized on both the District of Columbia War Memorial and the District of Columbia 16th Street Tree War Memorial, AOI Director Barbara Bates compiled a comprehensive account of the Ten Women Veterans on the District of Columbia War Memorial or Tree Memorial. In January 2018 Barbara completed her piece and during her research realized that four of these women were interred in unmarked graves. This precipitated an effort on the part of the Association of Oldest Inhabitants of the District of Columbia to embark on a campaign to convince the US Veterans’ Administration to recognize these four women and provide their government issued, white marble headstones. One would think they would be more than willing to support this project. That was not the case…
AOI Director Margaret (Maggie) Hobbs took a particular interest in the project as she had served in the past as a trustee of Congressional Cemetery where three of the women were interred. The fourth was interred at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Maggie worked tirelessly, spending hours on the phone and emailing back-up documentation to the VA to support the request to provide these four headstones. She engaged representatives from the American Legion (and the VFW?) to assist her with dealing with the VA. Eventually, the VA agreed to provide one headstone at Mt. Olivet for the grave of:
Pauline Lawrence, LDS Yeoman, US Navy, World War I, 1899-1918 at Mount Olivet. (“LDS” stands for “Landsman.”)
The VA would not budge on providing markers for the remaining three graves at Congressional Cemetery – two which were unmarked and a third where Bertha Ryan Hayes is buried with her brother in a marked grave but the headstone lacked any mention of her service during World War I. At Maggie’s encouragement, the AOI took matters into their hands to provide the appropriate markers.
Maggie worked diligently with a monument vendor providing the details of the women’s service and working with the AOI Board agreeing upon consistent wording and symbols to adorn the two in-ground, granite markers for Mattie Bushee and Blanche Ridgely Pierce. A supplemental marker for Bertha Ryan Hayes would be addressed later. AOI provided the funds for the in-ground markers and Maggie worked together with the manufacturer and the Congressional Cemetery staff to ensure the markers were properly installed.
In 2021 the Covid pandemic was waning but it nevertheless interfered with installation and unveiling plans. Work began to identify a fabricator for a bronze plaque to accompany and compliment the grave of Bertha Hayes and her brother. AOI Past-President Bill Brown worked with Metal Designs LLC of New York and following the design of the other two Congressional markers and with review and approval of the AOI Board had a 6” x 9” bronze plaque machined and shipped to Congressional for installation. By the spring of 2022 all three markers had been installed at Congressional Cemetery and their staff provided photos of how they appeared.
The three markers at Congressional Cemetery read as follows:
Mattie Bushee, Nurse, US Army, World War I, 1896-1911 flanked by the US Army emblem and a poppy (granite, in-ground marker)
Bertha Ryan Hayes, LDS Yeoman 2nd Class, US Navy (R), World War I, 1899-1918 flanked by the US Navy emblem and a poppy (bronze marker on stake)
Blanche Ridgely Pierce, LDS Yeoman US Navy (R), World War I, 1889-1918 flanked by the US Navy emblem and a poppy (granite, in-ground marker)
In order to recognize the accomplishments of the AOI Board members who worked to have these four DC women veterans of World War I and unable at this time to schedule an in-person dedication or unveiling event, we are presenting a virtual unveiling with the slide show presented below accompanied by this narrative. NOTE: the slide show may not render properly on a smart phone or tablet. If not, use "web version" instead.
Prepared September 18, 2022
AOI Director Margaret (Maggie) Hobbs took a particular interest in the project as she had served in the past as a trustee of Congressional Cemetery where three of the women were interred. The fourth was interred at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Maggie worked tirelessly, spending hours on the phone and emailing back-up documentation to the VA to support the request to provide these four headstones. She engaged representatives from the American Legion (and the VFW?) to assist her with dealing with the VA. Eventually, the VA agreed to provide one headstone at Mt. Olivet for the grave of:
Pauline Lawrence, LDS Yeoman, US Navy, World War I, 1899-1918 at Mount Olivet. (“LDS” stands for “Landsman.”)
The VA would not budge on providing markers for the remaining three graves at Congressional Cemetery – two which were unmarked and a third where Bertha Ryan Hayes is buried with her brother in a marked grave but the headstone lacked any mention of her service during World War I. At Maggie’s encouragement, the AOI took matters into their hands to provide the appropriate markers.
Maggie worked diligently with a monument vendor providing the details of the women’s service and working with the AOI Board agreeing upon consistent wording and symbols to adorn the two in-ground, granite markers for Mattie Bushee and Blanche Ridgely Pierce. A supplemental marker for Bertha Ryan Hayes would be addressed later. AOI provided the funds for the in-ground markers and Maggie worked together with the manufacturer and the Congressional Cemetery staff to ensure the markers were properly installed.
In 2021 the Covid pandemic was waning but it nevertheless interfered with installation and unveiling plans. Work began to identify a fabricator for a bronze plaque to accompany and compliment the grave of Bertha Hayes and her brother. AOI Past-President Bill Brown worked with Metal Designs LLC of New York and following the design of the other two Congressional markers and with review and approval of the AOI Board had a 6” x 9” bronze plaque machined and shipped to Congressional for installation. By the spring of 2022 all three markers had been installed at Congressional Cemetery and their staff provided photos of how they appeared.
The three markers at Congressional Cemetery read as follows:
Mattie Bushee, Nurse, US Army, World War I, 1896-1911 flanked by the US Army emblem and a poppy (granite, in-ground marker)
Bertha Ryan Hayes, LDS Yeoman 2nd Class, US Navy (R), World War I, 1899-1918 flanked by the US Navy emblem and a poppy (bronze marker on stake)
Blanche Ridgely Pierce, LDS Yeoman US Navy (R), World War I, 1889-1918 flanked by the US Navy emblem and a poppy (granite, in-ground marker)
In order to recognize the accomplishments of the AOI Board members who worked to have these four DC women veterans of World War I and unable at this time to schedule an in-person dedication or unveiling event, we are presenting a virtual unveiling with the slide show presented below accompanied by this narrative. NOTE: the slide show may not render properly on a smart phone or tablet. If not, use "web version" instead.
Prepared September 18, 2022