The health of a river in an urban community is an indication of the health of the community and its people.

– Dr. Gail S. Lowe (1950–2015), the late Senior Historian at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum

Our Story

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The health of a river in an urban community is an indication of the health of the community and its people.

Our Team

Gail S. Lowe, PhD

Gail S. Lowe, PhD (1950-2015), served as Senior Historian at the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum, conducting research for museum projects, exhibitions, and publications, and consulting with the collections department on the museum’s archives. Dr. Lowe also curated exhibitions and served as the museum’s publications editor. She was curator for the exhibition Reclaiming the Edge: Urban Waterways and Civic Engagement and the historian and project manager for the Urban Waterways initiative.

A native Washingtonian, Dr. Lowe held a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University/Radcliffe College, a master’s from Yale University, a master’s in library science from The Catholic University of America, and a PhD in American Civilization from The George Washington University.

Katrina Lashley

Katrina Lashley serves as the project’s Program Coordinator. Additionally, she has worked with Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street (MoMS) program to document water-based initiatives and programming at the Smithsonian and highlight the efforts of communities in the MoMS network to engage their residents in issues pertaining to their local waterways.

Ms. Lashley received her B.A. in English Literature and Italian Language at Rutgers University. In 2011, she completed a Master’s in History at American University with a focus on the British Caribbean. In addition to her Public History work, she was a teacher of English Literature and Language for twelve years.

Sharon Reinckens

Sharon Reinckens has extensive experience in the practice of community-based museology. She serves as Deputy Director of the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum and is responsible for administration, planning and implementation of museum programmatic activities in research, collection, exhibitions and public programs.

Our Values

Resources

Anacostia River Watershed Photo Database

The health of a river in an urban community is an indication of the health of the community and its people.” Learn More

River of Resilience: A Journey from Headwaters to Confluence on the Anacostia River

The health of a river in an urban community is an indication of the health of the community and its people.” Learn More