Holt House Home Page

Holt House Table Of Contents

Eddie Becker
Washington, DC. 20009 USA

This is a Freedom of Information Request.

May 5, 1998
Elaine Johnson
Legal Council
Smithsonian Institution
Via Fax 202-357-4310

Dear Elaine Johnson:

This request refers to the document distributed to both the press and to the public by the Public Affairs staff of the National Zoo on April 13, 1998.

• (1) On page 3 of that document, a claim is made that the Smithsonian had "Began efforts to stabilize Holt House and clean up its surrounding (a $25,000 investment since Spring, 1997)" If this statement is in fact true, please provide any and all documentation showing how the $25,000 was spent.
• (2) The April 13th document continues by stating that the "...roof was repaired by October, 1997." An aerial view of the Holt House reveals that this so called roof repair is substandard and temporary, consisting of only a layer of tar paper nailed over wood struts in just a small section of the roof. Should this statement be inaccurate, please provide any documentation showing that the repairs used techniques that were more then temporary.
• (3) In addition the document states that "Gutters were not replaced because the Holt House site on the top of a steep hill allows rain water to drain away from the building." Please provide complete documentation on this particular preservation technique, if any. In addition, please provide all documents from Smithsonian officials, who suggested, approved, or recommended, and signed off on this practice. Without documentation to the contrary, I would assume this rather controversial preservation technique was approved by the Office of Architectural History and Preservation which pursuant to Smithsonian Directive is responsible for overseeing historic preservation undertakings by the Smithsonian and its components.
• (4) Please provide, if it is true, any and all documentation related to the request for federal funding in Fiscal Year 1999 to undertake a "historic structures report." And an Archeological undertaking.
• (5) Please provide any and all budget and audit reports documenting how the $3.85 million designated for repairs at the National Zoo for Fiscal Year 1998 was spent. This public money was provided to the National Zoo pursuant to a Congressional request. In fact, the request to Congress states that there "is one building that is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places...considered valued portions of our national heritage" Since the Holt House is the only individual building with this designation, in addition to the records for the $3.85 million requested above, please provide any and all documentation, if any, that shows how much of this specific $3.85 million was in fact spent on the Holt House.

As provided for in the Act, I expect that you will be able to provide all the documents requested within the 10 working days as provided in the Act.

As is always the case, thank you in advance.

Yours truly,
Eddie Becker
March 27, 1998

This is a Freedom Of Information Act Request

Dear Mildred M Glover:
Legal Council
Smithsonian Institution
Via Fax 202-357-4310

Dear Mildred M Glover:

Since the establishment of the National Zoological Park (NZP) in 1889, the gate next to Walter Pierce Park has been open and welcome to the community. Within the last month NO TRESPASSING, US GOVERNMENT PROPERTY signs have appeared similar to those posted to prevent trespassing on United States Military Reservations. These warnings now seemingly prevent visits to the Historic Holt House and the African American Cemetery site as well as prevent access to Rock Creek and the National Zoo from the Adams Morgan Neighborhood.

This is a great concern to the Neighborhood. And was certainly done by the Zoo for good reason. This FOIA request that seeks that reason

• (1) Please provide any and all documents which show who within the national Zoo requested the posting of these NO TRESPASSING signs, and the reason(s) given for this action.
• (2) Please provide any documents showing that the Smithsonian, the National Capital Planning Commission and Congress approved restriction to the public use of NZP park land, including rescinding or modification of U.S.C. TITLE 40 - PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PROPERTY, AND WORKS CHAPTER 2 - CAPITOL BUILDING AND GROUNDS 193o. Public use of Smithsonian grounds.
• (3) Should the restriction have been imposed for public safety concerns, Please provide NZP police reports showing these concerns specific to community access from the Adams Mill gate or along the Original Adams Mill Road (Blue Road or Snake Road), for the past 6 months.
• (4) If the concern has been because of damage to historic and archeological sights at the NZP, i.e., the Holt House and the African American Cemetery, please provide the police report concerning these events for at least the 6 months.
• (5) Just to be clear about extent of damage, to the historic and archeological Holt House, under the care of the Smithsonian Institution, please provide all records about the current condition of the House, with all costs associated with damage caused by any and all reasons..

As provided for in the Act, I expect that you will be able to provide all the documents requested within the 10 working days as provided in the Act.

Thank you in advance

Yours truly,
Eddie Becker
November 7, 1997

This is a Freedom of Information Request

Mildred M Glover:
Legal Council
Smithsonian Institution
Via Fax 202-357-4310

Dear Mildred M Glover;

Following is a Freedom of Information Act Request. It is now necessary to file this FOIA request because the Office of Architectural History and Historic Preservation (OAHP) and the National Zoo, both Smithsonian components, have refused to work together with the community and with interested parties as is provided for in Federal and Smithsonian laws and regulations with regard to historic preservation at historic sites within the National Zoo.

The Section 106 review process provides for active participation by the public. The general public must be notified of agency actions under the regulations, and organizations and individuals concerned with the effects of an undertaking on historic properties (defined in the regulations as "interested persons") are to be involved in the review process in various ways, depending on their particular interests.

Therefore this is a request under the Freedom of Information Act as Amended.

• (1) I request the right to read and copy documents in your reading room, created by the Smithsonian's Office of Architectural History and Preservation (OAHP). The records I seek, pertain to OAHP products that contain any mention of architectural features related to Slavery. Just as architectural design features in kitchens or fireplaces have evolved under the influence of social and technological changes, similarly the enslavement of Africans and their American born descendants, by Americans of European descent, created unique architectural design features that evolved over time. Early American houses built for slaveowners, incorporated unique architectural features not normally found in houses meant for non slave owning families. Therefore this is a request for any mention of slaves or slavery in any product created by OAHP. Please include the Holt and related historic sites at the National Zoo if that study has been completed.
• (2) I request any and all documents pertaining to any understanding between the National Zoo and the Smithsonian or private contractor pertaining to the historical undertaking at the National Zoo. The records I seek may includes project descriptions, outlines, plans, scope of work agreement, contractual arrangement, informal agreement, modified agreements, budget information or any record in any form including electronic mail. that establishes any work to be or that is being performed by OAHP or other individuals, public or private agencies or Smithsonian regarding historical sites at the National Zoo including the Holt House.
• (3) I request OAHP research design, methodology or any and all documents including e-mail that describes how OAHP planned or plans to allocate it's resources to fulfilling the requirements set forth under the requirements of doing the historic research for the National Zoo.
• (4) In the event that I have may have mischaracterized Smithsonian compliance with the public participation sections of the 106 process, here is a chance to set the record straight. Please provide any and all documentation showing initiatives that have been undertaken by OAHP and the National Zoo with regard to;
  • (a) Obtaining assistance from members of the public likely to have information about historic properties.
  • (b) Utilizing the applicable knowledge and expertise of professional and avocational practitioners of such disciplines as history, architectural history, landscape architecture, and archeology who have knowledge of slavery
  • (c) Involving, local governments, neighborhood associations, and others whose immediate interests may be affected, whose viewpoints need to be considered in decisionmaking, and who may need to participate in Section 106 review as interested persons;
  • (d) Considering viewpoints presented by interested persons and other members of the public, both as an aid in information gathering and as a basis for decisionmaking;
  • (e) Identifying and working toward the resolution of conflicts, if any, between program objectives and preservation objectives, based on full consideration of feasible alternatives.

If you believe a portion of the information I have requested is exempt from disclosure by express provisions of the law, please segregate and delete that material in order that the remainder of the information may be released.

I ask that any fees for access to this information be waived as the information requested will be made available to historians, neighborhood associations, the press, preservation groups, elected officials, regulatory organizations and community groups living near the Zoo. Furthermore, I am a member of an Ad Hoc committee, created though a community process and recognized for its information gathering by various Advisory Neighborhood Commissions and community groups. In addition, I have established a WEB page to keep the community informed of progress with regard to this undertaking. The page is open for all to view. These records will significantly contribute to public understanding of government activities.. If you still plan to charge me for any expense incurred in complying with this request, please notify me in advance.

Thank you for your timely attention to my request, and I look forward to hearing from you within the statutory 10-day period.

Sincerely,
Eddie Becker