Vaise traced the history of the river and surrounding area from the time of its earliest native American inhabitants, through the arrival of European explorers and settlers, and ultimately to its significance in establishment of the national capital of Washington. He also explored the role of the river across time as a place for commerce and recreation. Anacostia Park is a 1,200 acre reserve on the river at 11th Street SE.
Vincent Vaise is Chief of Visitor Services for the National Park Service, National Capital Parks-East, a group of sites that includes the Carter G. Woodson, Mary McLeod Bethune Council House, and Frederick Douglass National Historic Sites, Capitol Hill parks, Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Garden, and Fort DuPont, as well as Anacostia Park. He is a 26-year veteran of the National Park Service.
