Miss Harlean James Sells the City Beautiful: a talk with Heurich Humanities Scholar in Residence Neil Flanagan

You've probably heard the names of the men who designed Washington, DC: L'Enfant, Burnham, Olmsted. But there is another name that our histories skipped, and it is a woman's: Harlean James. She was not a designer; she was an organizer. 

On Thursday, September 12th from 6-7pm join Heurich Humanities Scholar in Residence fellow, Neil Flanagan, for a talk and Q&A on his research on the under-credited Harlean James. 

Over the last year, Neil has held residence at the Museum through our fellowship program, researching for his upcoming book about the ways that the founders of American urban planning experimented on the neighborhoods of Washington, DC. in the first decades of the 20th century. 

Details: 

• Free, RSVP required 
• Doors open at 5:45
• Museum biergarten opens at 4pm and will remain open until 8pm. Guests are welcome to bring beverages to discussion. 

About Harlean James: 

As Executive Director of a group called the American Civic Association in the 1920s, she secured the money and statutory authority to reshape Washington. Join the museum's Scholar-in-Residence Neil Flanagan as he presents research from his forthcoming book that restores the memory of this extraordinary figure. Her name was forgotten even before she died, but without her, those grand visions for the Mall, DC's neighborhood parks, and even the Appalachian Trail would have remained ink on paper. 

About Neil Flanagan:

Neil Flanagan is a public historian, informed by ten years in architectural practice. As a humanities scholar-in-residence at the Heurich House Museum, he is currently writing a book about the ways that the founders of American urban planning experimented on the neighborhoods of Washington, DC in the first decades of the 20th century. Since 2009, he has published on DC history, architecture, in Washington City Paper, Greater Greater Washington, and the Architects’ Newspaper. He has spoken in many forums, including the Washington History Conference, SACRPH, ASALH, and many local engagements. Flanagan is a graduate of the Yale School of Architecture and in that field specializes in regulatory strategy and whole-building environmental design, from sensory experience to building systems integration. He grew up in Tenleytown and now lives in Ward 5. Click here to learn more about Neil’s work.

About the Humanities Scholar in Residence Fellowship: 

The Heurich Humanities Scholar in Residence Fellowship program is open to DC residents working on books that expand our understanding of Washington, DC history, and whose projects will benefit directly from the additional resources provided by the Heurich House Museum. The Museum appoints two Residence Fellowships per year, during which Fellows are each given use of a private furnished studio space in the Museum. The Residence Fellows also share their work at two public programs a year at the museum. This opportunity is not limited to people with a Ph.D. or other terminal degree.