DC Preservation League

From Dupont to Deanwood, Isaac and Mary Scott’s Homeownership Journey and the Role Race Plays in DC’s Residential History
2025-02-28 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Join the DC Preservation League and Edith Michel, Senior Manager of Education & Collections at Woodrow Wilson House for an engaging webinar about Isaac and Mary Scott, a Black American husband and wife couple who were in service to President Woodrow Wilson for many years. Learn about their homeownership journey to Deanwood. Edith will identify the historical context that explains how Isaac and Mary Scott bought a home in Deanwood, a historically Black middle-class neighborhood. In the webinar, we will also learn how racially restrictive covenants helped establish white and Black D.C. neighborhoods and limited Black homeownership in D.C. Their story jumpstarts a conversation on the state of black homeownership in Deanwood today.
Register here!

Edith Michel has been in her role as Senior Manager of Education and Collections at the Woodrow Wilson House Museum, a National Trust for Historic Preservation site in Washington DC for two years. She believes museums have a social justice role and considers herself a “Griot for Social Justice.” Her focus is on telling stories that have been underrepresented at the museum and activating a more nuanced understanding of equity and inclusion as it relates to Wilson’s legacy. She is also a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional and a National Association for Interpretation Certified Interpretation Guide.

Asbury United Methodist Church History Tour (Members Only)
2025-02-22 11:00 - 13:00 | Asbury United Methodist Church, 926 11th Street NW, Washington, DC, United States
Asbury United Methodist Church was organized in 1836 when a group of free and enslaved persons, some of whom had worshipped in a segregated manner at Foundry Methodist Episcopal Church, established the Asbury Aid Society. This group of about 50 to 75 persons became a separate congregation and ultimately built a new church at 11th and K Streets. Today, Asbury United Methodist Church is the oldest church in Washington, D.C. still worshipping on its original site.
At the apex of the Civil War, in 1864, the congregation replaced the frame structure for a brick building, and the existing church structure was erected in 1915 in the late Gothic Revival style. With its rich and colorful history, Asbury has been a bulwark for social justice for more than 188 years. Join DCPL for this community history tour and learn even more!

Register here!
This event is for DCPL Members only. Please register online through your member account and we look forward to seeing you there! Not a member? Become one here.

Black Power Context Study & Youth Pride Inc. Webinar
2025-02-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
In 2020, the DC Preservation League received a $50,000 grant from the African American Civil Rights Program, as administered by the National Park Service (NPS), to fund the creation of a study entitled Black Power in 20th Century Washington, DC: A Context Study. Written by historian George Derek Musgrove, this study explores the DC Black Power Movement in all of its diversity. Though often caricatured as angry and violent street protesters, DC Black Power activists created independent schools, art studios, and police oversight boards; stood up a community museum, and made the district into a hotbed of anti-colonial organizing for decades to come. Join Dr. Musgrove for an overview of this important project, with a specific focus on the nomination of the Youth Pride Inc. building to the DC inventory and National Register.
George Derek Musgrove, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of History and Africana Studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He is the author of Rumor, Repression, and Racial Politics: How the Harassment of Black Elected Officials Shaped Post-Civil Rights America (U. of Georgia, 2012) and co-author, with Chris Myers Asch, of Chocolate City, A History of Race and Democracy in the Nation’s Capital (UNC, 2017). His work has appeared in the Washington Post, National Public Radio, the New York Times and The Root. He is currently working on a book project tentatively titled “We must take to the streets again”: The Movement Resurgence in Conservative America, which explores the burst of black activism that rose in opposition to the urban crisis and the conservative retrenchment in the 1980s and 90s. He earned his Ph.D. from New York University in 2005 and now lives with his wife and two sons in Washington, D.C.
Register online here!
On the day of the event, join here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81994446914
If registered, you will also receive the Zoom link directly in your inbox the morning of the event.

Preservation Initiatives Grant Workshop
2025-02-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
The 2025 application for the Preservation Initiatives Grant Program is now open through Friday, March 7, 2025. For more information about the grant program and the application process, please join us for a virtual grant workshop on Tuesday, February 18th at 12:00 PM EST.

This grant program, administered by the DC Preservation League, provides matching grants to individuals and nonprofit organizations for preservation planning, research, outreach and education, and bricks and mortar projects related to historic and cultural sites. These grants are intended to help stimulate public discussion, introduce the public to preservation concepts and techniques, make technical expertise accessible, and encourage partnerships. The program is supported by two separate funding sources and is focused on specific areas of the District: Brightwood Car Barn (Ward 4) and Virginia Avenue Tunnel (Area of Potential Effects in Southeast Washington). Click here to learn more.

This workshop is free & open to the public! Click here to sign up and receive the Zoom link directly in your inbox.

Meeting Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87016373511

Preservation Initiatives Grant Workshop
2025-02-06 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
The 2025 application for the Preservation Initiatives Grant Program is now open through Friday, March 7, 2025. For more information about the grant program and the application process, please join us for a virtual grant workshop on Thursday, February 6th at 7:00 PM EST.

This grant program, administered by the DC Preservation League, provides matching grants to individuals and nonprofit organizations for preservation planning, research, outreach and education, and bricks and mortar projects related to historic and cultural sites. These grants are intended to help stimulate public discussion, introduce the public to preservation concepts and techniques, make technical expertise accessible, and encourage partnerships. The program is supported by two separate funding sources and is focused on specific areas of the District: Brightwood Car Barn (Ward 4) and Virginia Avenue Tunnel (Area of Potential Effects in Southeast Washington). Click here to learn more.

This workshop is free & open to the public! Click here to sign up and receive the Zoom link directly in your inbox.

Meeting Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81598004310

The Design Review Process for Homeowners, Architects, and Builders
2025-01-31 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Did you know that most projects in historic districts can be approved by Historic Preservation Office staff without going to a Historic Preservation Review Board meeting? In this virtual presentation, join DCPL and Brendan Meyer from DC’s Historic Preservation Office to learn how design review is conducted, the difference between concept and permit approvals, and when it’s necessary to go to the Board.
This event is free and open to the public. Please sign up online to receive the Zoom link directly in your inbox.

District of Columbia Awards for Excellence in Historic Preservation
2025-01-28 19:00 - 21:30 | Constitution Hall, 1776 D St NW, Washington, DC, 20006, United States
The DC Preservation League invites you to attend the District of Columbia Awards for Excellence in Historic Preservation. This widely-anticipated community event will be hosted by the Daughters of the American Revolution at DAR Constitution Hall.
Awards will be presented in the following categories: Design and Construction; Volunteerism; Lifetime Achievement; the State Historic Preservation Officer’s Award; and the Historic Preservation Review Board Chair’s Award.
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 | DAR Constitution Hall
7:00 pm Awards Ceremony
Reception to Follow
REGISTER HERE
NOTE: This is an in-person event and will not be live-streamed. Please register only if you plan to attend. A recording of the program will be made available following the event.
This event is free and open to the public.
Attire is Business Casual.

Thank You To Our Sponsors!

Click Here to Pledge Your Support!

Keystone SponsorsBonstra|Haresign ARCHITECTS ● Clark Construction Group, LLCConsigli Construction Co., Inc. ● EdensGould Property Company ● Michael Graves Architects ● Grunley Construction CompanyMonarc Construction, Inc.● Quinn Evans ● SmithGroup Cornerstone SponsorsEastbanc ● Hartman-Cox Architects ● Lorton Stone, LLC ● Roadside Development LLC ● Wagner Roofing CompanyPresident’s Circle BELL Architects ● John Canning & Co., Ltd.● Fivesquares Development ● Monarch Urban ● David M. Schwarz Architects ● SJG Properties Individual SponsorsAnonymous ● Mark Andrich Fund ● Fay Armstrong ● Michael J. Armstrong ● Sanders H Berk, MD & Sally Berk ● Howard Berger ● Sean Cahill ● Karen GordonDavid Haresign, FAIA & Patricia Haresign ● Neal Herman ● Laura and Mark HughesJoe Levesque & Jim Myers ● Elizabeth Milnarik ● James A. Smailes ● Juliet Zucker

As of 11/12/24

Resources for Researching Your House History
2025-01-27 17:30 - 18:30 | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW, Washington, DC, 20001
Join the DC Preservation League in-person at the MLK Jr. Memorial Library (901 G Street NW) to learn how to research the history of your DC house and neighborhood using primary sources from The People’s Archive. The People’s Archive is the DC Public Library’s local history research center that is full of unique documents relevant to scholars, genealogists, and city residents. Library staff will present tips on using building permits, historic maps, photographs, city directories, newspapers and other materials from the archives to explore DC’s architectural and social history.
This event is hosted in collaboration with the DC Public Library. It is free and open to the public. Please sign up online to attend!

So You Bought A Historic House...Now What? Preservation Materials & Treatments in Your Home
2025-01-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Historic properties can be intimidating to homeowners. This presentation is meant to empower you with information about common materials in DC properties, typical failure methods, and preservation treatments. Expert Naomi Ryan will walk you through common roofing and building materials, and options for preservation treatments. Bring your restoration questions and get helpful answers!
Naomi Ryan is a Project Manager and Historic Preservation Specialist for Consigli Construction working on historic rehabilitation projects. She has previously rehabilitated a 1903 Freedman’s Cottage while living in Charleston, SC and more recently purchased an 1893 Victorian home with a lot of potential in Alexandria, VA. She holds an MSHP from Clemson University.
Sign up online to receive the Zoom link directly in your inbox!

Understanding Historic Designation with Zachary Burt
2025-01-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
This January, join DCPL’s Zachary Burt to explore the process of historic designation. Designating a historic site can be complex and overwhelming, as there are many aspects to consider when evaluating a site for historic designation. Luckily, there are many useful resources that can help homeowners and other individuals interested in preservation. This presentation will provide the public with an overview of Washington, DC’s historic landmark designation process, the DC Inventory of Historic Sites, and the National Register of Historic Places. This session will also present some helpful tips related to researching and writing a historic landmark nomination, including an overview of available resources.

Sign up online to receive the Zoom link directly in your inbox!

Preservation Initiatives Grant Workshop
2025-01-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
The 2025 application for the Preservation Initiatives Grant Program is now open through Friday, March 7, 2025. For more information about the grant program and the application process, please join us for a virtual grant workshop on Tuesday, January 7th at 6:00 PM EST.

This grant program, administered by the DC Preservation League, provides matching grants to individuals and nonprofit organizations for preservation planning, research, outreach and education, and bricks and mortar projects related to historic and cultural sites. These grants are intended to help stimulate public discussion, introduce the public to preservation concepts and techniques, make technical expertise accessible, and encourage partnerships. The program is supported by two separate funding sources and is focused on specific areas of the District: Brightwood Car Barn (Ward 4) and Virginia Avenue Tunnel (Area of Potential Effects in Southeast Washington). Click here to learn more.

This workshop is free & open to the public! Click here to sign up and receive the Zoom link directly in your inbox.

Meeting Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82503303208

Preservation Initiatives Grant Workshop
2024-12-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
The 2025 application for the Preservation Initiatives Grant Program is now open through Friday, March 7, 2025. For more information about the grant program and the application process, please join us for a virtual grant workshop on Thursday, December 12th.

This grant program, administered by the DC Preservation League, provides matching grants to individuals and nonprofit organizations for preservation planning, research, outreach and education, and bricks and mortar projects related to historic and cultural sites. These grants are intended to help stimulate public discussion, introduce the public to preservation concepts and techniques, make technical expertise accessible, and encourage partnerships. The program is supported by two separate funding sources and is focused on specific areas of the District: Brightwood Car Barn (Ward 4) and Virginia Avenue Tunnel (Area of Potential Effects in Southeast Washington). Click here to learn more.

This workshop is free & open to the public! Click here to sign up and receive the Zoom link directly in your inbox.

Meeting Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81994072514

Foggy Bottom House History Webinar
2024-12-11 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
The Foggy Bottom Historic District is a unique four-block tree-lined neighborhood whose rowhouses reflect its late 19th Century Irish, German and African American working-class heritage. The neighborhood also reflects demographic and other changes wrought by urban renewal, highway construction, George Washington University expansion, and multi-unit development. The Foggy Bottom Association History Project House Map is an interactive map that brings together the neighborhood’s property, census, city directory and historic map data. This presentation will review Foggy Bottom’s unusual history, explain the genesis of the House Map project, and illustrate the map’s use as a tool to discover the neighborhood and its transitions over time – layer by layer, house by house.
Click here to join the webinar on December 11th at 12:00 PM!

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Tour (Member Only)
2024-12-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Avenue NE
The neighborhood of Brookland in Northeast DC is affectionately referred to as “Little Rome” for its multitude of Catholic churches and institutions. One of the most recognizable domes in the area belongs to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Home to more than 80 chapels and oratories honoring the Mother of God and representing peoples from every corner of the globe, the National Shrine reflects the ethnic and cultural diversity of the United States and the unity and universality of the Catholic Church. Join DCPL on for a guided tour of both levels of the Shrine, viewing chapels and artwork while learning about the history of the building.
This tour is free to DCPL Members, with a ticket cost of $55 to non-members. Ticket cost includes annual membership for inclusion in additional DCPL events!
Sign up here!

Civil War Washington (Webinar)
2024-11-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Step inside the world of Civil War Washington with educators from Ford’s Theatre. Experience how the war and its subsequent population boom shaped the built environment of downtown Washington. This presentation will feature 19th Century maps and photographs of Washington and will explore connections and legacies between then and today.
Use this Zoom link to join at 12:00 PM on November 20th: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88605956811
This program is free and open to the public.

Fort Stevens Tour (Member Only)
2024-11-16 11:00 - 12:30 | Fort Stevens, 6001 13th Street NW
Fort Stevens is one of the few surviving forts built to defend Washington, DC. Surrounded by city sprawl, the site of the only battle fought inside the District of Columbia is located one block west of Georgia Avenue NW. Come learn more about the history of this site alongside the Alliance to Preserve the Civil War Defenses of Washington. After the tour of Fort Stevens, take an optional half-mile walk to Battleground National Cemetery.
This tour is free to DCPL Members, with a ticket cost of $55 to non-members. Ticket cost includes annual membership for inclusion in additional DCPL events!
Click here to register!

Civil War Walking Tour (Member Only)
2024-11-02 11:00 - 12:15 | National Building Museum, 401 F Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
Join DCPL staff members downtown to explore Civil War history through the built environment. Learn about the history of wartime through memorials, architecture, and demolitions. Hear about the spies, the nurses, and the military generals who lived in DC during the war, and how their experiences have been commemorated–or forgotten–by the present landscape. This tour will begin at the National Building Museum and traverse less than a mile of city sidewalks.
This tour is free to DCPL Members, with a ticket cost of $55 to non-members. Ticket cost includes annual membership for inclusion in additional DCPL events!
Click here to register!

Rock Creek Cemetery Tour
2024-10-26 13:00 - 14:30 | Rock Creek Cemetery, 201 Allison Street NW
Join the DC Preservation League for a unique opportunity to tour Rock Creek Cemetery with local historian Kent Boese. This tour will focus primarily on the architecture, history, and art of the landscape, exploring the cemetery’s church, unique headstones and mausoleums. This tour will also visit the famed Adams Memorial, a supposedly haunted statue designed to embody grief. Bring your questions and your camera for this fascinating tour!
This program is for DCPL members only. Space is limited so please register online to participate.
Sign up here!

Kent Boese is the Executive Director of the Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions. Prior to his appointment on November 7, 2022, he served on the Columbia Heights/Park View ANC for 12 years. He is also a former law and art librarian with 27 years’ experience. A native of Illinois, he has a BS in Interior Design from the University of Illinois and a Masters in Design from Arizona State University. Upon moving to the Park View neighborhood in 2007, he became involved in historic preservation and has written 12 successful nominations for buildings and site across the District. His affinity for history and close proximity to Rock Creek Cemetery has lead to countless visits to the cemetery where he has photographed at least 70% of the gravesites for Find-a-Grave. He is also a member of the Committee of 100, the Association of Oldest Inhabitants of DC, the DC Preservation League, the Mayflower Society of the District of Columbia, the Society of the War of 1812 in the District of Columbia, and several others.

Seeing Clearly: Historic Windows Panel Presentation
2024-10-16 18:30 - 19:45 | Cleveland Park Public Library, 3310 Connecticut Avenue NW
Owning a home in a historic district has its challenges, especially when it comes to upkeep. If you own an older house in a historic district, you may be wondering what your repair options are. In this panel discussion on October 16th at 6:30 PM, an expert group of architects, architectural historians, and preservationists will cover such topics as repairing vs. replacing windows, historic compatibility considerations, options for materials and energy efficiency levels, permit application requirements, and working with a contractor. There will be a Q&A session with the panelists following the presentations.
Panelists include John Sandor (Architectural Historian at National Park Service), Gretchen Pfaehler (Preservation Architect with Insite Consulting Architects), Todd Jones (Historic Preservation Specialist at the DC Historic Preservation Office) and Stephen Hansen (Historic Preservation Specialist and Executive Director of the Cleveland Park Historical Society).
Sign up here!

Vintage Game Night at the Woodrow Wilson House
2024-10-02 17:30 - 20:00 | Woodrow Wilson House, 2340 S Street NW, Washington, District of Columbia
On October 2nd at 5:30 PM, join DCPL at the Woodrow Wilson House for the perfect night out with friends, a date, or family! Play board games from yesteryear and today in the historic home and garden of our 28th President, perfectly preserved from the 1920s. Your $20 admission includes complimentary snacks and one drink ticket, with the option to purchase additional drink tickets. 1920s attire is always welcome, but definitely not required. Come and go as you please between 5:30 and 8:00 PM. Perhaps while there you may hear one of the supposed ghosts on the property, climbing the stairs or playing the piano!
Use the discount code VGN-$5OFF for a $5 discount. Space is limited so sign up today!
Click here to register!

Crab Feast 10
2024-09-28 12:00 - 15:00 | Washington Canoe Club, 3700 Water St. NW, Washington, DC, 20007, United States
Join the DC Preservation League and the Capital Pride Alliance for their annual Crab Feast at the historic Washington Canoe Club, one of DC’s most picturesque locations on the banks of the beautiful Potomac River.
This event takes place entirely outdoors, with canoes and paddle boards available for adventures on the water.
Date & Time: Saturday, September 28, 2024: 12noon-3:00pm
Tickets: $75 for anyone age 13+; $25 kids 12 and under. Includes: all-you-can eat crabs, shrimp, corn on the cob, hot dogs, and ice cream + beer, wine, soda, and water available.
Cancellations/Refunds: Requests for refunds will only be considered more than 5 days prior to the event, and transaction fees will be subtracted from the refund total. Cancellations 5 days or less from the event will not be refunded, but the ticket cost can be converted to a tax-deductible donation.
Limited seating available.
Get your tickets now!
Questions? Email kelli@dcpreservation.org

Latino Context Study: Public Webinar
2024-09-25 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
The DC Preservation League has completed the first draft of The History of Latino Communities in Washington, DC: A Context Study. On September 25th at 12:00 PM EST, please join DCPL online for a virtual presentation by architectural historian Heather McMahon—the consultant behind the project—who will provide an outline of that history, including associated themes and related sites. There will be opportunities for attendees to comment and ask questions. Once completed, this context study will provide a framework for nominating historic sites to the National Register of Historic Places that memorialize Latino history in the District of Columbia. This community meeting is free and open to the public.
Funding for this project comes from the National Park Services’ Underrepresented Community Grants Fund, from the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. The fund supports efforts to identify historic and cultural resources related to communities that have often been overlooked in traditional planning and preservation efforts.
Click here to register!

Mexican Cultural Institute Tour
2024-09-21 11:30 - 12:30 | Mexican Cultural Institute, 2829 16th Street NW
Join the DC Preservation League on Saturday, September 21st at 11:30 AM for a tour of the Mexican Cultural Institute, housed in a historically designated mansion on 16th Street. Designed by architect Nathan Wyeth, the house was built on request by Mrs. Emily MacVeagh, wife of the Secretary of the Treasury during the Taft Administration. The mansion was the family’s residence in the 1910s, becoming the site where some of the most outstanding celebrities of that time were entertained. After Mrs. MacVeagh’s death, the building was sold to the Mexican government, who added an eighteenth century Mexican altarpiece, and a three-story mural by Roberto Cueva del Río. After serving as the Mexican Embassy for sixty-nine years, the building is now in use as the Mexican Cultural Institute.
Stay after the tour for a closing cocktail reception on the fourth floor for Antonio Fink’s “Color and Movement” exhibition! Tickets for this program are for DCPL Members only. Space is limited so sign up today!
Click here to register!

Folger Shakespeare Library Tour
2024-08-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol Street SE
Folger Shakespeare Library, Alan Karchmer
Join the DC Preservation League for a unique opportunity to tour the historic Folger Shakespeare Library on Capitol Hill. The tour will be led by: Amanda Edwards, Associate Principal and Architectural Conservator at MTFA Design and Preservation; Emily Eig, Architectural Historian and President/CEO of EHT Traceries, Inc.; and Ruth Taylor Kidd, CFO of the Folger Shakespeare Library, who oversaw the renovation. The tour will include visits to the building’s historic spaces including the Theater, the Great Hall, the Reading Room and the Founders Room. Guests will be able to visit the new Pavilion on their own immediately following the tour. The Folger recently reopened after a four year, $80.5 million renovation that has made the historic building accessible and added a new public wing, the Adams Pavilion, with 12,000 square feet of public space. See the building free of other visitors on this morning tour, then explore the space independently after the library opens to the public at 11:00 AM.
The Folger Shakespeare Library, designed by Paul Philippe Cret, was dedicated in 1932 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Folger is an extraordinary building, an American monument to another country’s national hero in the heart of Capitol Hill. Its modernized classical exterior and English Renaissance interior (the contrasting styles are lovingly referred to as “Tudor-deco”) earned it a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. This designation was expanded in 2018 to include the original interior of the building. The recently added public wing (Adams Pavilion) houses two new exhibition halls that will offer visitors opportunities to engage directly with the Folger’s world-class collection, including its 82 copies of Shakespeare’s First Folio which will be displayed together to the public for the first time. Accessible garden entrances and visitor lobbies, a café, a new learning lab and collaborative research spaces, and an expanded gift shop are among the visitor amenities and building enhancements added during the four-year construction project.
This program is for DCPL members only and has a ticket cost of $25.00. Space is very limited so please register online to participate. Click here to claim your spot!

Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium Tour
2024-08-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW
The Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium is one of the most dramatic examples of Classical Revival architecture in the Federal Triangle. The grandeur of the building’s exterior is matched by its interior, with marble floors, fluted Doric columns, and gilded relief carvings. Join DCPL and the General Services Administration for a free tour of this building’s interior.
This program is for DCPL Members only. Space is very limited so please register online to participate. Click here to claim your spot.

National Postal Museum Tour
2024-08-11 11:00 - 12:00 | National Postal Museum, 2 Massachusetts Avenue NE
Join the DC Preservation League and the Smithsonian Institution on Saturday, August 10th, for a guided tour of the National Postal Museum. Learn more about historic interiors and the specific design of the building for mailing services. Visit the postmaster’s office and learn more about the historic lobby alongside fellow history and preservation enthusiasts.
This program is free and open to the public. Click here to claim your spot.

National Academy of Sciences Building Tour
2024-08-10 13:00 - 14:30 | National Academy of Sciences Building, 2101 Constitution Avenue NW
Tour the “nation’s home of science in America,” dedicated by President Calvin Coolidge in April 1924 and designed by architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue. The building’s architecture synthesizes classical elements with Goodhue’s preference for “irregular” forms. On this building tour, you will see Hellenic, Byzantine, and Egyptian architectural influences and touches of Art Deco. Explore the NAS Great Hall with iconography by Hildreth Meière and other ceremonial rooms with architectural sculpture by Lee Lawrie and murals by Albert Herter. You’ll also peek inside the acoustically brilliant NAS Fred Kavli Auditorium, part of the 1970 wing. This tour will be led by NAS staff and colleagues from the DC Preservation League.
Tickets for this program are for DCPL Members only. Space is limited so sign up today! Click here to claim your spot.

Rubell Museum Art & Architecture Tour
2024-07-27 11:00 - 12:00 | Rubell Museum, 65 I (Eye) Street SW
Randall Junior High School stands as one of the few extant buildings associated with the pre-urban renewal history of Southwest Washington. Listed on both the DC Inventory and the National Register, the building serves as a reminder of the cultural and social role that schools played in the 20th-century development of African American communities. In October 2022, the Rubell Museum opened in the building’s center portion and east wing. The museum’s opening followed an extensive restoration of the historic building’s features. Come learn more about the design process for the Rubell Museum from the Beyer Blinder Belle team.
Click here to sign up!

Denrike Building Tour
2024-07-16 17:30 - 18:30 | Denrike Building, 1010 Vermont Avenue NW
Located just north of McPherson Square in what was historically considered the northern limit of the city’s financial district, the Denrike Building is an 11-story office building designed by local architect Appleton P. Clark, Jr. The structure, built between 1925 and 1926, is executed in a Tudor Gothic Revival style, rare among the city’s commercial building fabric. In 2022-23, the office building was converted to residential use, with 85 “medium term rental” units. This July, join members of the Michael Graves Architecture team to learn more about the building’s redesign and reuse.
Click here to sign up!

The History of Latino Communities in Washington, DC Community Meeting and Presentation
2024-07-09 18:00 - 19:30 | Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Library, 3160 16th Street NW, Washington DC
The DC Preservation League has completed the first draft of The History of Latino Communities in Washington, DC: A Context Study. Please join for a presentation by architectural historian Heather McMahon—the consultant behind the project—who will provide an outline of that history, including associated themes and related sites. There will be opportunities for attendees to comment and ask questions. Once completed, this context study will provide a framework for nominating historic sites to the National Register of Historic Places that memorialize Latino history in the District of Columbia. This community meeting is free and open to the public.
Register here and please forward this email to interested friends, colleagues, and neighbors.
Funding for this project comes from the National Park Services’ Underrepresented Community Grants Fund, from the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. The fund supports efforts to identify historic and cultural resources related to communities that have often been overlooked in traditional planning and preservation efforts.
