Bringing them home: a public art event on place, histories, and tenderness

An afternoon exploring place and history, featuring Polish writer and activist Grzegorz Kwiatkowski, alongside Mt Zion- Female Union Band Society Cemetery’s Director Lisa Fager, Oak Hill Cemetery’s Archivist and Collections Manager Laura Thoms, Director of GW’s Creative Writing program Lisa Page, poet Martheaus Perkins, and writer and Cheuse Director Leeya Mehta, with guided tours connecting literature, history, and place. As we visit these cemeteries we also acknowledge that many of us will never be found, never be buried, never be known perhaps; so how do we create the idea of home and last rites, how do we continue to form community across the world even when there is no closure? How do we carry history, and bring the lessons home? Inspiration comes from George Saunders and James Baldwin and the places we come from, the places we live in, and the places we are going.

What lessons will we share?

Come and hear us.

What lessons will you share?

Come tell us.

Curators:

Grzegorz Kwiatkowski and Leeya Mehta

Guides:

Lisa Fager and Laura Thoms

With Inspiration from:

George Saunders

James Baldwin & his official biographer, David Leeming

Featuring:

Lisa Fager, Grzegorz Kwiatkowski, Leeya Mehta, Lisa Page, Martheaus Lamar Perkins, Laura Thoms

Traveling Art:

Steven Luu, “the Travel Door Project”

Oak Hill Cemetery is the Georgetown National Landmark 1850s Historic Garden Cemetery, and still an active cemetery today. President Lincoln's young son Willie was interred in the Carroll Mausoleum at Oak Hill from 1862 to 1865 - his grief memorialized in George Saunder's novel Lincoln in the Bardo.

Mt Zion and Female Union Band Society Cemeteries started in 1809, and burials stopped in 1950. It was a stop on the Underground Railroad, UNESCO Slave Route Project Site of Memory, that was almost lost/destroyed by real estate developers. It is the site of Black Georgetown Foundation's project: To rediscover two centuries of lost African American history in Georgetown and to develop a historic memorial park as a sacred space for quiet reflection, the respectful commemoration of the past, and to educate. These cemeteries serve to preserve and create awareness of the heritage, contributions, and sacrifices these founders of Georgetown made during their lifetimes, and provide insight to their families and the community in which they lived during a time of deep segregation.

2:00pm: Mt Zion - Female Union Band Society Cemeteries, entrance @2501 Mill Road NW, DC 20007; off Q Street NW

Led by Director Lisa Fager

2:45pm: Walk 15 minutes to Oak Hill Cemetery, two long city blocks

3: 00pm: Continue at Oak Hill: entrance @30th and R Streets NW. Handicapped parking options on site.

Leaving 3:00pm: Oak Hill Cemetery walk from entrance to William “Willie” Lincoln’s head stone and back.

Led by Oak Hill Archivist and Collection Manager, Laura Thoms

The walk includes uneven surfaces and is hilly.

4:00pm: Reading and discussion at Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel, @30th and R Streets NW.

Meet outside at Katherine Graham’s gravestone or inside the chapel.

Led by writer, musician and human rights activist Grzegorz Kwiatkowski and Cheuse Center Director and writer Leeya Mehta. Readings from George Saunders and on James Baldwin. Featuring editor, writer and Director of Creative Writing at George Washington University Lisa Page and poet and author, Martheaus Lamar Perkins.

5:00pm: Program Ends.

Note: for those with special needs, it may be ideal to come straight to the literary program. We would like to include you and will make sure to give you a sense of place even if you cannot walk with us. Please email [email protected] for any help you need.

*This is an event that requests flexibility and a free afternoon. Please check back for updates by subscribing to our newsletter and also please RSVP so you can check the event updates on our web site and get notifications of location, weather plans, and time changes. On the day of the event please account for delays due to the nature of this event, which may involve variable walking times for all involved.

This series is part of the 10th anniversary festival of the Cheuse Center in April, featuring Colm Tóibín, Malte Herwig and Grzegorz Kwiatkowski. It is curated by Cheuse’s Director, Leeya Mehta. With special thanks to the Tenth Anniversary Committee, the Cheuse Board of Advisors, George Mason University, Mason Exhibitions, Goethe-Institut, Solasnua, Fairfax Public Library, the City of Fairfax, Arts Fairfax, Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt Zion - Female Union Band Society Cemetery and George Saunders.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Mount Zion and Female Union Band Society Cemeteries, 2501 Mill Road Northwest, Washington, United States

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