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While the Civil War tore the nation in half just south of the District’s borders, it also paused building projects, like the Washington Monument (shown), and altered social and cultural patterns in D.C. Some remnants, like the forts (Reno, Totten, and Dupont, among many others), were turned into parks and still serve as reminders of the city’s transformation from defenseless town to fortified capital. The Anacostia Community Museum, which is located on the site of Fort Stanton, examines how the city evolved over time with maps and period photographs on the walls of its main gallery. Read more >>> The exhibition is on view daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., to Oct. 18, at the Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Place SE. Free. (202) 633-4820. anacostia.si.edu. (Caroline Jones)

EAT THIS

The staff at U Street wine bar Vinoteca clearly don’t subscribe to the Noël Coward school of thought regarding vermouth (the dramatist insisted a perfect martini was made by waving a glass of gin in the “general direction of Italy”). They’ve been experimenting with the fortified wine for a while now, holding a “Vermouth Hour” every Monday evening since November. They’re going a step further tonight, as manager Horus Alvarez will tap a barrel of house-made vermouth and offer complimentary samples to guests between 7 and 8 p.m. Locally-grown wormwood, cinchona bark, and lemongrass are among the aromatics that Alvarez steeped for four weeks. The regular “Vermouth Hour” will also be taking place this week, so snag deals on neat drinks, flights, cocktails, and bottles of the botanical beverage. Vinoteca, 1940 11th St. NW. (202) 332-9463. vinotecadc.com. (James Constant)

OH AND ALSO

Local jazz vocalist Imani-Grace Cooper performs the songs of Ella Fitzgerald and Billy Strayhorn at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. at 2700 F St. NW. Free.

Artist Holly Bass joins the Birmingham Jail Players to present a choral recitation of words by famous black intellectuals and artists set to music by DJ RBI at MLK Library. Read more about Bass’ “Black Space” exhibit on Arts Desk. 6:30 p.m. at 901 G St. NW. Free.

Indie rock trip Oppo takes the stage at Velvet Lounge with Yairms and ROM. 9 p.m. at 915 U St. NW. $8.

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