Home

About

In the News 

Business Member Directory

Join

Calendar

Newsletter

Most Endangered Places
2002

DC's Historic Districts

Historic Site Inventory

Contact

Most Endangered Places for 2002

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library
901 G Street, NW

UPDATE: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library was awarded Landmark status by the Historic Preservation Review Board in June of 2007. Long-deferred maintenance has started to take place and, for now, the building seems to have a brighter future. DCPL will continue to monitor this important modernist DC Landmark.

The only example in Washington, DC of the mature style of pre-eminent Modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library has stood as the only monument to Dr. King in the nation’s capital for the past 30 years. It holds special significance to the millions of Washingtonians who have come to the library over the past decades to participate in a wide variety of programs and activities, and is a center of community life in the District. The building presents a unique challenge for historic preservationist, since the late Modern Movement in architecture has its detractors and examples, such as this, have existed for fewer than 50 years and generally considered not yet eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.

The District government is considering replacement of the current central public library building. Its demolition and replacement is an option. In May 2002, Mayor Williams submitted a request for proposals to the Council for the redevelopment of the current Washington Convention Center site including a 50,000 square foot footprint for a new central library. The DC Preservation League is interested in encouraging thoughtful consideration of the long-term use of the building and the retention of the significant aspects of a Mies van der Rohe design.

PREVIOUS | NEXT