Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park is the largest urban park located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Originally known as Lincoln Square, it was part of Pierre L'Enfant's 1791 plan for the city and was intended for public use. The park spans approximately 6 acres and is situated one mile directly east of the United States Capitol.

During the Civil War, from 1862 to 1865, the site served as the location for Lincoln Hospital, the largest hospital in Washington, D.C. at the time. In 1867, Congress officially named the park Lincoln Square, making it the first public site to bear the name of the assassinated president.

The park features two significant monuments. The first is the Emancipation Memorial, also known as the Freedman's Memorial, which was placed in the park in 1876. This statue depicts President Abraham Lincoln with the Emancipation Proclamation before a kneeling African American man. The second monument is the Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial, added in 1974, which honors the educator and civil rights leader. This statue was the first to depict an African American woman in a public park in Washington, D.C.

Today, Lincoln Park serves as a popular community gathering space. It includes grassy areas, pathways, and is frequented by joggers, families, and dog walkers. The park's elevated position offers views of the surrounding area, making it a scenic spot within the Capitol Hill neighborhood.