Francis G. Newlands Memorial Removal Act

This bill tells the U.S. Interior Department to take the name “Francis Newlands” off the memorial fountain at Chevy Chase Circle in Washington, DC. That means removing a brass plaque, a tablet-like stone with his name and inscription on the fountain’s face, and the name carved into the top stones. The items that get removed must be offered to Newlands’ descendants for 60 days. If no one claims them, the National Park Service will keep them in the Rock Creek Park museum collection.

This mainly affects what visitors see at the circle and how the National Park Service manages the fountain and any removed pieces. The fountain itself stays; only the name and related inscription are taken off or covered.

• Who is affected:
  • Visitors and neighbors of Chevy Chase Circle; National Park Service staff who manage the site.
• What changes:
  • Newlands’ name and inscription are removed or hidden; removed items are first offered to family for 60 days, then stored by the park museum if unclaimed.
• Where:
  • The memorial fountain at Chevy Chase Circle (Connecticut Ave and Western Ave NW, DC).