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The Kensington Cabin
by Laura Kramer
The Kensington Cabin is one of Kensington's longtime landmarks.
A park and playground along Kensington Parkway are named for the cabin.
And now this little log building is the focus of a community effort to
renovate and restore it. In this issue we tell some history, community
members' memories of Kensington recreation programs, and the current project.
The Early History
In 1949, Anna Farrell wrote a delightful history of the Woman's
Club of Kensington and told of the efforts of a devoted member to
provide this special place.
"In 1925, Mrs. Armstrong began her campaign to keep
for the
pleasure of the townspeople that piece of ground which she named
'Kensington Meadows' but now known as the 'Playground' and the site of
the 'Kensington Cabin.' A landscape artist drew plans; shrubbery and memorial
trees were planted. Tennis courts were planned and Mrs. Wilson Townsend,
with the help of her committee and friends, built a stone fireplace and
planted one hundred and eleven small evergreen trees which the club paid
for. But this expenditure of money was infinitesimal compared with her
work in planting those trees and then trying to keep them alive..."
Kensington Memories from the 1940's
Several years ago, Mab Cantril met with four former and current
Kensington residents, who reminisced about their good times growing up
in Kensington in the 1940's. The common link that originally brought
Esther Mizell, Jack and Jackie Jones, and Jackie's sister Pat Bellamy
together, they recalled, was their involvement in the Maryland Park and
Planning program for the children and families of Kensington.
Esther Mizell was regarded as the driving force behind the
recreation
programs that drew the families of Kensington together as a community
in the 1940's. Through her positive attitude and her development of the
recreation program, Esther became a role model to the young people who
were fortunate to take part in her programs.
Growing up in the 1940's, Pat and Jackie recalled that
their mother
kept them busy with gardening and cooking beginning at the age of 10.
Both parents worked when they were growing up. Each child in the family
took turns planning and cooking the meals for a week, while the other
children kept up with the laundry and cleaning.
Recreation Programs
Pat and Jackie's childhood home on Washington Street backed up to
the playground where Esther's recreation program took place. The
program ran six days a week, in the summer as well as during the school
year. All that was required for children to attend was a parent's
signature on the release form.
Since sports was their favorite hobby, Pat and Jackie fit
right
into the recreation program. Besides a wide range of sports, the
program offered arts and crafts, story hours, and sing-alongs with
Esther's accompaniment on the accordion. According to Jack, "there
was real pride in everyone's involvement, children and parents alike."
Soon the junior high school age children began putting
on dramas
four nights a week in the Armory. Esther commented, "Everyone knew
everyone. There was a sense of community. Everyone was proud of where
they lived. We looked out for each other; took care of each other."
In 1958, after several years in Europe, Esther returned
to the
recreation department to run the teen club. Her longtime friends Jack
and Jackie Jones were on hand to chaperone the dances at the clubhouse.
Children came from all over the county to take part in the teen program.
Special instructors were brought in to teach arts and crafts, archery,
rhythm, and singing. Softball games were held where the post office is
now located. Jack commented that "kids moved form place to place
to play badminton, football, volleyball, and tennis. The strong and weak
played together-everyone could participate."
Kensington's elementary school was "marvelous."
Mrs. Flynn, a third
grade teacher, and Mrs. Duvall were two teachers who were fondly
remembered as living in town and participating in community activities.
McKeever's for Treats
High on the list of local Kensington establishments remembered was
McKeever's ice cream store. Located next to the bank on Montgomery
Avenue, McKeever's was a popular place for ice cream sodas and candy.
Esther recalled that you could buy two candies for a penny. Not only was
the homemade ice cream delicious, but it also was irresistible to Pat.
In fact, it became such a daily habit that Pat's mother often
phoned McKeever to warn him ahead of time not to give Pat anything too
rich. McKeever often treated winning sports teams and children on their
birthdays.
Traditions
One of the many town traditions was the annual Pet Show. It brought
everyone and their pet to the playground, including dogs, cats,
turtles, and snakes. One year Esther's brother was taken to the Pet
Show on a leash! Yearly parades were also sure to draw a crowd, and the
church community became known for sponsoring hay rides.
Thanks to these and other friends who kept their memories
fresh in
their minds, we can learn much about Kensington's traditions in an
earlier time.
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