Photograph of Tina George in the 1970s, daughter of Zorba's owner Despina Skenderis, outside of the row home the family has owned for decades; courtesy of Maria Bajis. Have you ever wondered about the families and history behind your favorite business? This April, join DCPL's Programs Manager Shae Corey on April 13th at 11:00 AM ... Read more

Join DCPL at Mr. Henry's for a "History Happy Hour" where you can buy a drink, chat with other preservationists, and receive one of the first printed copies of the 2024 Legacy Business Report. DCPL staff members will be available to answer any of your questions about the history of legacy businesses and will provide ... Read more

Join local author JoAnn Hill and DCPL staff member Shae Corey as they discuss the restaurant landscape of Washington, DC. Combining the history of longstanding businesses with more recent additions to the food scene, JoAnn Hill has recently published Unique Eats & Eateries: The People and Stories Behind the Food. Her book contains fascinating information ... Read more

Alleyways have long been a feature of DC’s built environment, hidden behind the high-style facades of the city’s thoroughfares. These often-unseen spaces ultimately became centers of African American community and resilience. Despite congressional intervention to halt alleyway construction, the city had over 3,300 alleyway dwellings by 1912. Additionally, many city residents used alleyways for stables, ... Read more