This Thursday, Washington, D.C.’s oldest synagogue began relocating from 3rd and G streets NW to 3rd and F streets NW.
The 1876-built property, known as the Adas Israel Synagogue, is home to the Lillian and Albert Small Jewish Museum. The move will be done in two phases and won’t complete for another 24 to 30 months.
This is the second time it has ever been relocated. DCist reported that Ulysses S. Grant went to its dedication ceremony, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to attend a Jewish service. In 1908, the congregation outgrew the space and moved to a newer synagogue nearby.
Then, 61 years later, the Washington Metro Transit Authority planned to construct a new headquarters on the site and threatened to demolish the building if it wasn’t moved. From 6th and G streets NW, it was relocated to Third and G streets NW. Over the years, the property has had a variety of uses, from a barber shop to a dentist’s office to a real estate agency to a grocery to a bicycle shop.
Property Group Partners with Wolfe House and Building Movers are behind the relocation with the intent to create more room to build the 2.2 million-square-foot project, known as Capitol Crossing. The project will feature five Platinum LEED-certified buildings on seven acres of land in Downtown.
Look closely. You can see the wheels barely rolling, less than 1 mph. Moving @jhsgw a block away makes room for @CapitalCrossing downtown. pic.twitter.com/i0OXiEQe3t
— Mike Carter-Conneen (@ABC7Mike) November 3, 2016
So honored to film such an important piece of history today as the historic 1876 Synagogue was moved in DC! @jhsgw! #Moving1876Synagogue. pic.twitter.com/0yulS2zqn3
— Spark Media (@SparkMedia) November 3, 2016
mazel tov @jhsgw on picking up & moving the preserved Adas Israel historic synagogue down the street! #moving1876synagogue pic.twitter.com/zmiSRXf4AP
— Rebecca Brenner (@rebeccabbrenner) November 3, 2016
Exciting day for the Jewish Historical Society @jhsgw, moving their 140-year-old synagogue this morning #moving1876synagogue pic.twitter.com/ABqGa9AaGF
— Hilary-Morgan Watt (@bluelikechagall) November 3, 2016
Share your memories of our synagogue today, using the hashtag #moving1876synagogue! We’d love to hear from you ✨ pic.twitter.com/sgumxtaGzW
— Jewish History DC (@jhsgw) November 3, 2016
Fun fact: The speed of the move will be close to 1 ft/min, moving constantly #moving1876synagogue pic.twitter.com/fXQIao0h1i
— Jewish History DC (@jhsgw) November 3, 2016
And we're off! The move has begun! great crowd here to celebrate with us ✨#moving1876synagogue pic.twitter.com/thVFIfS1Qb
— Jewish History DC (@jhsgw) November 3, 2016
We can see through the crack to the greenery on the other side of the building now! #moving1876synagogue pic.twitter.com/1jPfvhbN03
— Jewish History DC (@jhsgw) October 31, 2016
Today crew installed wheels to pull the synagogue during tomorrow's move, and found old beer cans! See you in the am! #moving1876synagogue pic.twitter.com/Zz4wevpNmT
— Jewish History DC (@jhsgw) November 2, 2016
Washington area's oldest synagogue on the move today. What's this all about? A live report soon @fox5dc pic.twitter.com/MPrnE6mrtQ
— Bob Barnard (@barnardfox5dc) November 3, 2016
• Photos: D.C.'s First And Oldest Synagogue Moves For The Second Time [DCist]