Barrack's Row Fall Festival

I'm excited to be a vendor in my neighborhood Fall Festival.  I'll have a booth with small paintings and prints and lots of cards...and it is just a block from my house.

Barrack's Row gets its name from the Marine Barracks that are right on 8th St.  I looked up a little history and learned that in 1999 it was establish as a National Trust for Historic Preservation Main Street.  Of course, the neighborhood is much older than that.  The Marine Barracks site was selected in 1801.  According to Wikipedia, it was selected because it was within marching distance of the Capitol and also the Navy Yard.  Marines are still marching today, and they do a "Parade" Friday nights.  From my backyard, I hear them practicing on Friday mornings.  I have never gone, though!

To get ready for the Fall Festival, I am making some small paintings around the neighborhood.  The one above is Senart's Oyster and Chop House, which is one of my favorite places.  It is very long and narrow inside, with 3 fireplaces along the wall.  It has been remodeled but has a real historical feel. This painting was late afternoon.....just before opening for business at 4 p.m.