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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 5
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 10
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To recognize the important role of the historic Eastern Market to Capitol Hill and the District, 15
commemorate its 150th anniversary, and declare November 12, 2023 “Eastern Market 16
Day” in the District of Columbia. 17
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WHEREAS, Eastern Market is located a t 225 7th Street, SE, between North Carolina 19
Avenue, SE, and C Street, SE in Ward 6; 20
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WHEREAS, Pierre L’Enfant’s original plans for the city of Washington purposefully 22
designated space for local markets; 23
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WHEREAS, Eastern Market was designed by German-born immigrant and architect Adolf 25
Cluss, a renowned local architect of the time, City Engineer, and member of the Board of Public 26
Works, who also designed the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building; 27
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WHEREAS, Eastern Market’s construction w as completed on N ovember 12, 1873; 29
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WHEREAS, the original vendors sold meat, poultry, butter, vegetables, and oysters; 31
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WHEREAS, in 1908, the Center and North Halls were added to the Market as Capitol 33
Hill’s popul ation grew; 34
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WHEREAS, Eastern Market was designated a District of Columbia Historic Landmark in 36
1964 a nd a National Historic Landmark in 1971; 37
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WHEREAS, in 1999, t he Council passed legislation to reform how Eastern Market would 39
be managed, regulated, and improved, including by creating an Eastern Market Community 40
Advisory Committee (“EMCAC”) to protect the Market and advocate for and advise on its 41
management, operations, and budge t; 42
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WHEREAS, on April 30, 2007, Eastern Market experienced a devastating fire, which 44
caused extensive damage to the building and the vendors’ shops; 45
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WHEREAS, the EMCAC, Capitol Hill Community Foundation, then-Councilmember 47
Tommy Wells, Mayor Adrian Fenty, the District government, and the community came together 48
to rebuild the damaged market and restore its historic architectural features; 49
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WHEREAS, Eastern Market reopened on June 26, 2009; 51
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WHEREAS, for 150 years, Eastern Market has provided space for local a nd regional 53
vendors to sell their wares to D istrict residents and visitors; 54
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WHEREAS, Eastern Market is on e of the few historic public market buildings in the 56
District, and it is the only one to retain its original public market function; 57
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WHEREAS, Eastern Market’s indoor market operates from Tuesday to Saturday, 8am to 59
6pm, and Sundays from 9am to 5pm ; 60
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WHEREAS, on the weekends, Eastern Market operates the outdoor Farmer’s Market and 62
Arts and Crafts Market; 63
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WHEREAS, Eastern Market houses incredible indoor vendors, including florists, 65
cheesemongers, butchers, fruit and vegetable grocers, bakers, and delicatessens; 66
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WHEREAS, Eastern Market’s open-air farmer’s market provides the best, freshest produce 68
in the region, with most grown in rural Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia; 69
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WHEREAS, Eastern Market’s weekend outdoor vendors offer wares both local and global, 71
ranging from African art to locally-made children’s apparel, beauty products to vintage clothing, 72
and jewelry to delicious food and drinks; 73
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WHEREAS, in 2022, Councilmember Charles Allen brought together District government 75
leadership, the EMCAC, vendor and artist representatives, Eastern Market and Barracks Row Main 76
Streets, the Capitol Hill BID, Capitol Hill Village, neighbors, and market leadership to plan a year 77
of events befitting Eastern Market’s important role in the life of the District; and 78
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WHEREAS, the kick-off to celebrating the year of Eastern Market’s 150th anniversary will 80
take place throughout the weekend of November 10th to 12th, 2023, and include living history 81
impersonators, artists, cooking demonstrations, a fundraiser, a scavenger hunt, a ghost tour, and 82
walking tours. 83
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RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 85
resolution may be cited as the “Eastern Market 150th Anniversary Recognition Resolution of 86
2023”. 87
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Sec. 2. The Council r ecognizes the important role of the historic Eastern Market to Capitol 89
Hill and the District, commemorates its 150th anniversary, and declares November 12, 2023 90
“Eastern Market Day” in the District of Columbia 91
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Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in 93
the District of Columbia Register. 94