Fort Stevens – Chowan Discovery Group

In conjunction with the Community Alliance for Upper Fourteenth Street (CAUFS), Chowan Discovery is showing four documentaries October 2, 5, 9 and 12. All times are at 6:30 pm at at Andromeda Transcultural Health at 14th and Decatur Streets in Washington, DC.

The property of an African American farmer and landowner, Elizabeth “Aunt Betty” Thomas, was taken by the U.S. Army in order to build Fort Stevens which saw battle in the Civil War. This film is being shown only a mile from Mrs. Thomas’s farm and the fort. Was she compensated for her losses? Discover her life and legacy of a unique woman with living history interpreter Patricia Tyson and documentary producer/researcher Marvin T. Jones of the Chowan Discovery Group.

The film “Aunt Betty and Fort Stevens,” tells the story of Elizabeth Proctor Thomas, a Free Woman of Color who, despite losing her farm during the Civil War, becomes a heroine in her Washington, D.C. community. At one the worst moments in her life, she is comforted by Abraham Lincoln. Mrs. Proctor went to serve the fort that replaced her farm and livestock, even during the Battle of Fort Stevens in July 1864. Her story is told by Mrs. Thomas’ niece. “Aunt Betty…” is a production of DCTV, the public access network of Washington.

Following the film, film producer Marvin T. Jones and re-enactor Patricia Tyson and will tell more about Mrs. Thomas’ life. Since 1922, Lincoln-Thomas Day has been celebrated in Washington, D.C. Images of recent observance of the Battle of Fort Stevens will be shown. Chowan Discovery thanks the DC Public Library for the invitation to present the film.

Note: Patricia Tyson will appear as Hallie Queen Brown who knew Mrs. Thomas

AUNT and FORT STEVENS film to be shown near story’s site.

Mrs. Thomas lost her farm but her country gained a hero.