Adrienne Terrell Washington and the Fight to Preserve Fort Ward’s African American Legacy
By Char McCargo Bah
Alexandria, VA – Adrienne Terrell Washington’s calling was clear from the moment she was born. Her mother, Gwendolyn Wilhelmina Terrell, delivered her in 1950 at Freedmen’s Hospital in Washington, DC, instead of Alexandria Hospital, which had limited accommodations for African Americans.
She grew up in the historic neighborhoods of Fort Ward and Seminary, surrounded by her parents, grandparents, siblings, and extended family—often hearing stories of her family’s presence in the community during the Civil War. She earned a degree in journalism and built a distinguished career, working for several newspapers and television stations, including The Washington Times and NBC. She served as a Deputy Metro Editor, District Bureau Chief, and Columnist, earning multiple awards. Washington is the mother of two adult children, Mario and Misti Washington.
In 2009, Washington and others received an email from Dave Cavanagh requesting, “We need your help in protecting the African American experience at Fort Ward.” That call to action sparked the organization of the Seminary and Fort Ward African American community. The group named itself the Fort Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society and elected Adrienne Terrell Washington and J. Glenn Eugster as co-presidents.
The mission of the Descendants Society is to “describe, interpret, protect and celebrate the living legacy of African Americans who contributed to the defenses of Washington, D.C. at Fort Ward in an effort to win their own freedom which has led to a more perfect Union.”
After the Civil War, a neighborhood known as The Fort grew up around Fort Ward, one of the Union forts built as part of the Defenses of Washington. In the 1950s and 1960s, the City moved residents out of the area to establish Fort Ward Park and Museum.
The primary goal of the organization is to share the history of African Americans and describe the role they played during the Civil War at Fort Ward and in creating the Seminary community. African Americans were crucial to the war effort, and the war is best understood not just as a military phenomenon, but as a social and political one as well.
To achieve meaningful change at Fort Ward, the group relied on its members’ expertise. Washington, a descendant with strong leadership abilities, played a key role in organizing the Society, engaging descendants, collaborating with the City of Alexandria, securing media coverage, and serving as the Society’s voice and face. She helped write Fort Ward’s brochure and contributed information and photographs to “Finding The Fort: A History of an African American Neighborhood” by Dr. Krystyn R. Moon (June 2014).
Eugster, co-president of the Society, retired from the National Park Service in the National Capital Region. His expertise included helping communities and park managers revive economies and ecosystems. He worked closely with the City of Alexandria and City Council members and managed several websites related to Fort Ward and the Seminary.
Together, Washington and Eugster built a strong board with help from other descendants: David Cavanagh helped establish the Society’s legal status; Brenda Adams provided critical research and documentation; and Alfonzo Terrell worked with the City Archaeologist to identify community graves.
Washington also enlisted Gerald Amos Wanzer, a descendant of Fort Ward and Seminary, to create and manage the Society’s Facebook page, documenting achievements and preserving photographic history. Wanzer, whose family has lived in the Fort Ward and Seminary area since the Civil War, has maintained the page for more than a decade. He is the father of four adult children: Craig I. Wanzer, Edward Brown, Jessica Wanzer, and a deceased son, Aaron G. Wanzer.
With help from Washington, Eugster, and Wanzer, community elders were encouraged to share their histories with city officials. Many of those elders are no longer alive, but their stories are preserved because of the Society’s work.
Before the Society’s involvement, parts of Fort Ward were used as a dumping ground, and the descendants’ family gravesite was deteriorating due to heavy rains and falling trees. The Society focused on restoring the gravesite and working with the City to improve conditions at the Fort.
Today, the African Americans whose families once lived in Fort Ward are acknowledged and documented. The Fort’s appearance has improved, and the graves are in better condition than before.
Living Legends of Alexandria is a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring and chronicling individuals who have made significant contributions to the quality of life in Alexandria, Virginia.
PHOTO: Adrienne Terrell Washington and Gerald Wanzer were inducted into the Living Legends of Alexandria in November 2025. Photo: Steven Halperson/Tisara Photography
