Megan Clarke of Good Morning Washington visited McLean’s Historic Pleasant Grove Church to report on a new exhibition featuring the work of photographer Bernie Boston. Boston, a DMV native and longtime McLean resident, was the first African American member of the White House Press Corps and covered presidents from Truman through Clinton. He is best known for his iconic “Flower Power” photograph, which earned him a runner-up spot for the Pulitzer Prize. The exhibit showcases photographs spanning his career, including both celebrated images and candid shots of the photographer himself.
The exhibition matters because it brings national recognition to a local historic site while honoring a pioneering African American photojournalist whose work captured pivotal moments in American history. By displaying Boston’s legacy at Pleasant Grove Church, the show connects community heritage with broader narratives of civil rights, press freedom, and visual culture, making art history accessible to a local audience.