John Wesley Cromwell, a historian and journalist born enslaved, came to Washington, D.C. in 1871 to attend the Law School at Howard University. He was admitted to the bar in 1874 and was the first African American to practice law for the Interstate Commerce Commission in 1887. Cromwell worked as chief examiner at the U.S. Postal Service, and later in life as an educator and administrator in the DC Public Schools. He also was a founder, editor, or contributor to a number of newspapers and journals, including most prominently the People's Advocate. In the last half of his career, he wrote articles and manuscripts and gave speeches, establishing himself as a leading scholar of African-American history.

This week's featured home comes to you in video format, compiled by DCCA's member and friend, Marc Langston favorite local historian (aka The History Hat).  Click here to watch!