As you drive down quiet, tree-lined C Street toward RFK Stadium, the welcoming neighborhood known as Kingman Park – the only Ward 7 neighborhood west of the river – beckons you to sit on a friendly front porch and watch the traffic go by. Joyce Meadows has called this street home since 1944, the year her mother and stepfather decided to join other family members and move to the District. Joyce was 5 years old when the family moved into the newly-built row house, constructed by a white developer, Mr. Seeger, who built homes for “colored people.” The Meadows’ house was big by the standard of the day and offered several amenities which are still considered a luxury today – such as a fully-finished basement with a washer/dryer, and a garage that gives way to a nice little garden in the backyard, where beautiful peonies and roses welcome all.

On the main floor there is a beautiful living room with French doors that open into an elegant dinning room and kitchen. The living room is filled with a piano, artwork, vases and photos of “Baby Joyce,” as she is affectionately called by her family and friends. Joyce has not remodeled any room in the house, except the kitchen, where she had new cabinets put in and added floor to ceiling cabinets to store her kitchen gadgets.

The master bedroom, another bedroom which has been transformed into an office, and a guest bedroom with its two twin beds occupy the top floor. All bedrooms share a large, full-bath that is naturally lit by a beautiful skylight.

Joyce is an avid gardener and plants vegetables in her neighborhood garden. She has harvested tomatoes, string beans, eggplant, arugula and zucchini. She loves to garden and enjoys the camaraderie she shares with other neighborhood gardeners. The plot of land on which the community garden is situated belongs to Mr. Seeger’s widow who wants the community to use and keep the land beautiful. It is conveniently located behind Joyce’s house, and through her dining room window, Joyce can check on the progress she has made.

Joyce is also well-traveled, and this is evidenced by pictures and artifacts she has collected over the years. Her love of travel started as a young girl. She asked her father, a well-to-do entrepreneur, to allow her to travel and see the world. He in turn asked that she see the United States first so that she could answer questions that were posed to her about her country while traveling overseas. Joyce visited several places in the United States and decided to study abroad. She studied voice at the Sorbonne in France and then went on to study at Santa Cecilia’s in Italy.

She lived in Italy most of her adult life until she had to return home due to her mother’s illness. She easily learns languages and speaks French and Italian fluently. She also has stayed in touch with friends in Europe and throughout the world where she has traveled.

More than anything, the house reflects the unique life led by this Washingtonian, a woman who has traveled the world, modeled and sang.

There are many photos of friends, family and Joyce throughout the house. As a young lady, Joyce used to “model her face,” she explains. “I was considered too short to be a regular model, but my father consoled me by telling me that the best things come in little packages.” One photo in particular stands out, she explains she is in India wearing a sari that she had overpaid for; it reminds her of the wonderful memories and friends she has weaved throughout her life.

Joyce fondly recalls her time in Europe, where she sang in a choir called the “Trumpets of the Lord.” The 18-member choir sang Negro spirituals and toured all over the continent. Joyce met and socialized with legendary American entertainers such as Duke Ellington and Telly Savalas, just to name a few. She also visited the Middle East and Africa and currently works with an organization that allows her to meet and interact with foreign visitors. She has joined a travel group founded by former president Jimmy Carter, where every summer, she can experience life outside of the city she currently resides, quenching her thirst for all things international.

Joyce explains that “she loves having lived on the street so long, seeing the changes in the neighborhood and the comfort of knowing her neighbors.” She stated that she plans to remain active in the community.