Georgetown DC & Exorcist Film

 

#GeorgetownDC_Exorcist_Film

Georgetown was established in 1751 to be an area to serve as a port for the lumber and tobacco industries, before being annexed into Washington

William Blatty (he was an alumnus of Georgetown University) was inspired to write the novel after reading about an actual exorcism that happened in nearby Mount Reiner
The 75 steep stairs became famous after being featured in the 1973 horror film The Exorcist, plus other scenes were also filmed around the campus
Thus this explains why a lot of students and faculty became extras in this cult classic

Now at the University it has a Halloween tradition called The Healy Howl, where students watch the movie then go to the Jesuit Gravesite to bark at the moon when the midnight hour strikes

Healy Hall Seal
Other traditions at Georgetown University; it is considered to be bad luck to step on the seal in front of the Hall
If you do...... its rumored you will not graduate

The University was founded in 1751 and named after King George that predated the United States itself
Its known for its number one ranking in the world for International Relations plus a major source for Wall Street candidates

Fun Fact:
The Hoya nickname and chant did not come from the classical Greek language (as some have thought) but just a college cheer that has evolved over the years

As i walk down the cobblestone streets here are some examples of the Federalist Style of buildings that is of a Neo Classical Architecture
It was part of the movement that began in the mid-18th century in Italy, Germany and France which became a prominent design method in the western world 

Georgetown played a significant role in the Underground Railroad with many of its historic buildings, the Methodist Church (with its buried vault that served as a hiding place) and the C&O Canal plus its docks that played a very active part in the escape of enslaved people 

C&O Canal (Chesapeake and Ohio)

The canal closed in the 1880s due to declining revenues, damage to the waterway from floods and just more efficient modes of transportation
Now managed by the National Park Service the 300km route (184 mile) follows the Potomac River from Georgetown to Cumberland located in Maryland
It has been turned into a popular hiking / biking route plus recreational use for watercraft

Some famous residents of the area included
Alexander Graham Bell, John F Kennedy and Francis Scott Key plus it was the founding location of IBM with all those key folks

Embassy Row is a self guided tour that starts near Dupont Circle which features some of the most notable embassies and historical structures in the area

Some buildings i would recommend;
A) Larz Anderson House; its an elegant museum that features artwork and gardens
B) Old Turkish Embassy: a Beaux-Arts Mansion built in 1915 that was one of first to be bought during the Depression in 1932 by that government
Also a fun fact its later owner was Ahmet Ertegun (who co-founded Atlantic Records) studied at Georgetown University
C) Embassy of France; it has a French wine reception and concert hall
D) Heurich House: also known as the "Brewmaster Castle" was the home of German brewer Christian Heurich with available tours and of course tastings
E) The Dupont Underground: its an abandoned streetcar station that has been converted into an arts and cultural venue