A Growing Buzz
June 3, 2009 – 9:47 amToday’s Washington Post has a timely article, “The Perfect Pursuit In This Urban Hive - A Growing Buzz Surrounds the Increasing Number of Capital Beekeepers.”
Urban beekeepers, who prowl their rooftops in full beekeeper regalia, are becoming chic in the nation’s capital, and their semi-secret society is less so, given the growing popularity of their peculiar and ancient hobby.
The White House recently added a hive to the South Lawn, and the Fairmont Hotel in the West End started two hives on its rooftop, where the chefs-turned-beekeepers tend their hives and wax poetic about the District honey they will drizzle on cheese and incorporate into their white chocolate mousse dish.
There are several dozen known beekeepers in the city. For years, they have tried to stay beneath the radar, uncertain about whether their neighbors would be pleased knowing several thousand stinging insects are next door.
I’ve already found a home for the (empty but real) hives in my installation - a friend has been studying beekeeping and will be ready to buy bees when Artomatic ends. Perfect!