November 2006

DCPL Annual Meeting

The DC Preservation League held its 2006 Annual Membership Meeting at the Second National Bank of Washington on Thursday, November 16th. Hosted by Tenacity Group, LLC, the event drew over 100 DCPL current and new members to enjoy the rough atmosphere of the 1928 mid-block building designed by Appleton P. Clark in 1928. The building, currently owned by Tenacity, will be sold to the National Association of Immigration Attorneys.

DCPL President Edwin Fountain updated attendees on DCPL's activities over the past year. A significant accomplishment was the culmination of a year-long strategic planning process that resulted in the organization focusing its efforts to "do less better." These themes include: Public Campuses such as St. Elizabeths, McMillan Reservoir, the Old Soldiers' Home and Walter Reed and DC Modern, which focuses on mid-twentieth-century architecture. Mr. Fountain assured the crowd that DCPL would not be getting away from it's "bread and butter" of landmarking buildings and assisting community groups, but using a more focused approach to utilize DCPL's resources more effectively.

The program concluded with a presentation to Jason Iannotti of Tenacity with an original rendering by artist Michael Berman of the Second National Bank Building.

Photo's of the event by Greg Tinius of Tinius-Arts can be viewed at http://tinius-arts.com/DCPL-2006-11-16/


Wardman Exhibit Now at Kiplinger Library

On December 1, the exhibit "Celebrating a Century of Wardman Row-House Neighborhoods" opened at the Kiplinger Library and will remain there until February 28.  Curated by Sally Lichtenstein Berk and Caroline Mesrobian Hickman, the exhibit features three row-house neighborhoods that were built along major streetcar lines in the early years of the 20th century -- Bloomingdale, Columbia Heights and Brightwood.  These neighborhoods have undergone several demographic changes in the approximately 100 years since their construction and are now experiencing revitalization as the move to the city continues apace and urban housing is at a premium.

The exhibit, sponsored by the DC Preservation League and funded in part by the Humanities Council of Washington, DC, recounts the story of real-estate mogul Harry Wardman who claimed in 1925 that he housed 10% of Washington 's population.  The critical role he played, not only in the development of the three neighborhoods but in the constituent city as a whole, is told with historic photographs, maps, and advertisements; architectural floor plans and elevations; and the faces and voices of current residents.

Kiplinger Library
801 K Street, NW
(enter below grade on L Street )
at Mount Vernon Square
Washington , DC 20001
202.383.1850
info@HistoryDC.org

The library's hours of operation are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10 am - 5 pm

DCPL Member of the Month

Name: Laura Turowski
Profession: Commercial Real Estate Appraiser
Neighborhood: Shirlington, VA
DCPL Member Since 2006

I joined DCPL because I have a love of history and historical buildings.  I probably caught the history bug from growing up so close to Historic Annapolis and frequent trips to Colonial Williamsburg as a child.  I even majored in history at Gettysburg College. I love the history of buildings and am always fascinated by how they were used and who used them.  In my profession I am always interested to see how historic buildings are still being preserved and used today.  Being a member of DCPL combines my love of history as well as my current profession in commercial real estate. 

Do you have a DCPL story to tell? Email info@dcpreservation.org

Landmarks Committee Seeks Volunteers

The DCPL landmarks Committee is seeking volunteers with interest in the identification and research of historic sites in the District and preparation of nominations for inclusion on the DC Inventory of Historic Sites. For more information, contact Peter Sefton at psefton@comcast.net.


Electronic Funds Transfer Now Available

You can make a big difference with a small commitment. Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) from your credit card turns $25 a month into a $300 tax-deductible annual gift that supports DCPL's advocacy and education programming. In fact, a $300 annual contribution would pay for three landmark nomination filing fees. Sign up now!