This past Monday, April, 4th 2016, the Sewall-Belmont House and Museum hosted a public meeting to discuss proposed government action to establish the museum as a unit of the National Park System. Despite being a rainy day, a packed crowd gathered in a large tent outside the historic museum to testify their support. Remarks were made by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, the National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis, and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, as well as other federal and local officials. After these officials made their remarks, the floor opened to comments from the public. A large number of people spoke, representing a variety of backgrounds, ages, and professions. Not a single person spoke in opposition of making the Sewall-Belmont House and Museum a part of the National Park System.
Legislation to establish the Sewall-Belmont House and Museum as a unit of the National Park System has already been proposed in the Senate by Senator Mikulski, but many members of the audience focused on encouraging the President to establish the site using his executive power under the Antiquities Act.
Three members of the Commission staff attended the event to show their support.