Evalyn Walsh McLean and the Hope Diamond
This portrait of Evalyn Walsh McLean was painted by Philip Alexius de László (British, 1869-1937) in 1921. In the painting, Mrs. McLean is wearing the Hope Diamond. It is believed that de Laslzo painted portraits of most or all members of royalty and the aristocracy of his time. Photo courtesy of Deena Gorland Photography.
Friendship Estate
This beautiful painting of Friendship Estate is by artist Peter Waddell. Photo courtesy of Deena Gorland Photography.
Call Box History
In the mid-1860’s, the ornate cast iron call boxes used for telegraphing police and fire emergencies started to appear in the District of Columbia. They were manufactured by Gamewell in Newton Falls, Massachusetts for municipalities across the country, and they were used in DC until the 1970’s when the “911” emergency telephone system went into effect. The call boxes extend almost as far under the ground as they do above it, and there are prongs underground to stabilize them.
Transforming the Call Boxes
Restoration of the two call boxes took more than just “a slap of paint.” Artistic contributions to transform our call boxes were made by Michael Knud Ross, who restored them; Frank Arkwright, who painted them royal blue and gilded the gold leaf designs; little b design, who designed the brass backplates with the historical text for the call boxes; and Gelberg Signs, who fabricated and installed the artwork and backplates.
Now, instead of rusty,obsolete eyesores, these call boxes are public art displays which celebrate the rich history of the surrounding community, the McLeans, and the Hope Diamond.
