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[aged, yellowed paper; black ink] [top 1/4 of page sketches of various sports equipment and sports activities] RECREATION IN ANACOSTIA [bold large type size center full page width] (Barry Farms Center) [smaller type size center full page width] [following text placed in 2 columns] [column 1] Recreation is constantly rising in importance as a major aspect of life in Anacostia. In this area recreational facilities were first set up in the rear of the old Birney School, on Shannon Place. In the spring of 1925 Mr. John L. Young, who is now Assistant Superintendent of the D.C. Recrea- tion Department and Miss Mabel Dishman started a recreational program which was of special ap- peal to children. Gradually, there arose a dire need for more space and facilities. In July, 1926, the Barry Farms Playground was opened to ac- commodate 200 children. Later, through the ef- forts of Mr. Elzie Hoffman, president of the Barry Farms Civic Association for forty-six years, Green Willow and Eureka Amusement Parks were our- chased by the commissioners and named the Barry Farms Playground. The present building is quite an improvement over the small frame one room shelter, which was the first field house built for Negroes of this area. It was through the untiring efforts of such pip- needs as Mrs. Florence S. Matthews, Messrs. Thomas Jackson, Vesta K. Randall, and Milton Larry that great strides have been made in The Barry Farms Playground. Because of its cultural as well as athletic acti- vities, instead of the original 200 the Barry Farms Recreation Center now serves regularly more than a thousand citizens of the Anacostia Community. During the week interesting program such as ballet, dramatics, square dancing, social dancing, creative dancing, knitting, crocheting, and other crafts are taught. Of special interest to children [column 2] of all age groups are the movies which are shown twice each week. Every year the playground has several base- ball leagues. These leagues are composed of the younger and older members of the community. These leagues alone attracted more than 16,000 spectators from the community during the past summer. The other athletic activities - basketball, boxing, tennis, and other group games - have at- tracted as many as 600 Anacostia citizens. The recreational program at the center is not limited to the Barry Farms area, for various excur- sions have been taken to the zoo, government buildings in the downtown area, and even to Sky- line Drive. In addition, as part of its inter-com- munity activities, The Barry Farms Recreation Center presents concerts. On such occasions guests from other sections of Washington perform. Undoubtedly, the Barry Farms Recreation Cen- ter is one of the main centers of activity in Ana- costia. Within twenty-five years it has developed from one room to an extensive recreation center, having a staff of four capable leaders an the latest in playground equipment, games, movie projectors, and intercommunication systems. Its program of activities is becoming so dynamic that it has appeal and also support from children as well as adults, to as many as 16,000 citizens in Anacostia, and to other areas of Washington, D.C. T. Booth and L. Head Interview with Mr. S. Anderson and Mrs. F.S. Matthews of Barry Farms Playground. PAGE 19 [centered full page width at bottom of page]