“Preserving local history matters.” That is a very suitable motto for the Thomas Siegler Historic Site. Here at 201 Tulip Avenue, you are standing before a place where civic action triumphed. It stopped the erasure of local history.
The Thomas Siegler Historic Site started with Isaac and Amanda Thomas. They built the first house in Takoma Park in 1884. Isaac was Takoma Park’s first postmaster and shopkeeper. The Thomases lived here until 1919. That is when they sold it to Franklin Siegler and his family.
Franklin’s son Edward Siegler was important. He was a prominent entomologist. Edward worked with the Department of Agriculture for over 50 years. After his death in 1984, his widow wanted to sell. She planned to sell the Thomas Siegler Historic Site to a developer. The developer wanted to demolish the house. He also wanted to destroy other structures to build apartments.
Concerned residents united. They formed Friends of the Thomas-Siegler Historic Property. This group opposed the proposed development. They found new owners for the house. The house was divided into two living quarters. The Trust for Public Land intervened. It saved the carriage house and garden. These were sold back to the City of Takoma Park.
Today, the original house remains a private residence. The carriage house is now the Thomas-Siegler Carriage House Museum. The garden still has many original plants. You can see white oaks and magnolias. Azaleas thrive here too. Some azalea strains were planted by Benjamin Y. Morrison. He was the founder and first director of the National Arboretum. He was also a Takoma Park resident.
The Thomas Siegler Historic Site exemplifies community preservation. It shows how a community can protect its history. This place reminds us of Takoma Park’s origins. It links us to the Thomas and Siegler families. They shaped the city’s early character.
Take a moment to appreciate the garden. Imagine Isaac and Amanda Thomas tending it. Think of Edward Siegler studying insects here. The Thomas Siegler Historic Site reminds us of the past. It also inspires us to protect our heritage. It encourages us to value community action.
Before you leave the Thomas Siegler Historic Site, consider its lasting impact. Its preservation reflects our commitment to history. It highlights the importance of community. This is a place where the past is cherished. It is a place where the community came together. It is a place where history lives. It is a testament to the power of preservation.