Due to COVID-19, the DC Preservation League is putting in-person events on hold until further notice; however, we are offering virtual events during this time. Below are recordings of past online programs hosted by DCPL. We will continue to update this page with recordings of future events.
Exploring History Online Virtual Workshop (June 3, 2020)
Led by DCPL staff, this virtual workshop teaches viewers how to explore the history of your house, neighborhood, or favorite historic site from home! It includes information about helpful online resources such as maps, newspaper databases, repositories for historic photographs, and more.
Flood Risks to Historic Structures (August 26, 2020)
Overdevelopment, sea level rise, and increased precipitation associated with climate change are increasing the frequency and severity of coastal, riverine, and urban flood hazards. Compounding this issue, historic buildings located on sites that are susceptible to flooding often also contain numerous vulnerabilities to heighten the risk of substantial flood-related damage. This webinar, led by Adam Rush, P.E., Senior Consulting Engineer with Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, explored historical and contemporary flood mitigation solutions within the context of historic preservation and increasing flood resilience. This presentation also discussed the actions local communities and governments are taking to address this problem and how regulation changes impact historic preservation projects.
Contemporary Photographic Documentation of America’s Historic Architecture
(October 1, 2020)
This webinar was led by Large Format Photographer Jarob Ortiz and HABS Architect Paul Davidson from the Heritage Documentation Programs (HABS/HAER/HALS) of the National Park Service. It discussed the Heritage Documentation Programs’ photographic practices for recording historic structures across the nation and the program’s traditional method of utilizing large format analog photography to produce highly detailed archival products. Accompanying this discussion was the topic of digital photography; how the program is transitioning into born digital formats; and how the program’s architects are utilizing its advantages in ways that most people overlook.
Learn more about the Heritage Documentation Programs and their work.
Landmark Nominations: From Inspiration to Designation (October 29, 2020)
A completed landmark nomination form can seem like a master’s thesis with an income tax return pasted in. DCPL Trustee and Landmarks Committee Chair Peter Sefton, who’s prepared many successful nominations, presents some straightforward strategies for preparing a successful nomination efficiently and expeditiously. He describes how to navigate the life cycle of a nomination from inspiration to designation, as well as effective research and writing approaches that cut through the complexities of the National Register form. He also discusses the critical and sometimes neglected role of outreach and community participation in every landmark designation.
The Legacy of Streetcars in Washington, DC (November 10, 2020)
For 100 years, from 1862 to 1962, streetcars were a vital element of the District’s transportation infrastructure. The development of streetcar lines enabled the development of many of the city’s neighborhoods outside of the downtown core. For decades, streetcars were the primary means of commuting for most Washingtonians. Now, more than half a century after streetcar service ended, there are still many reminders of the streetcar system around the city, and some of these historic structures are threatened. Historian, author, and DCPL trustee John DeFerrari discussed the colorful history of streetcars in the nation’s capital as well as the remnants of the streetcar system that have survived and their preservation status.
47th Annual DC History Conference: "Historic Preservation: Of the People, For the People, By the People?" (November 13, 2020)
DC’s built environment reflects the diverse layers of history of its residents, but landmark listings on the DC Inventory of Historic Sites or National Register of Historic Places often fail to represent all those histories. In recent years, there has been an invigorated effort by preservationists, local organizations, and community members to promote and protect the many stories represented in Washington’s historic places. This initiative requires identifying and nominating sites important to communities who have historically gone underrepresented in the Inventory and National Register.
In addition to the DC Preservation League’s Executive Director Rebecca Miller, panelists from the 1882 Foundation, Quinn Evans, Prologue DC, LLC., and the DC Historic Preservation Office explored the process of ensuring local and national protection of the places these projects recognize; identified obstacles that may arise; discussed the role of community activism in these initiatives; and delved into the importance of having these sites and their associated histories protected as historic landmarks or districts.
2020 District of Columbia Awards for Excellence in Historic Preservation (November 18, 2020)
Since 2003, more than 100 outstanding preservation projects and dozens of individuals and organizations have been recognized for their exceptional contributions in support of historic preservation in Washington, DC. Awards are presented in the following categories: Stewardship, Volunteerism and Community Involvement, Education, Design and Construction, as well as the State Historic Preservation Officer’s Award, HPRB Chair Awards, and Individual Lifetime Achievement.
Hosted by the DC Preservation League, the DC Office of Planning, and the DC State Historic Preservation Office.
"Images of America: Washington Canoe Club" with Christopher Brown (December 8, 2020)
In this virtual presentation, author Christopher N. Brown explores his new book, “Images of America: Washington Canoe Club.” This photographic tour invites readers to learn more about the Washington Canoe Club- a landmark on the Georgetown waterfront of the nation’s capital for over a century. Its iconic Victorian boathouse, now listed in the National Register of Historic Places, has survived floods and fires as well as changing land uses along the Potomac shoreline. In addition to exploring his work and the Club’s history, Christopher also delves in to current preservation efforts to save this historic site.
Visit the Washington Canoe Club’s website today to see more details and purchasing options for this book. Proceeds of all book sales will be donated to the boathouse restoration effort.
St. Elizabeths Hospital Virtual Tour with the DC Preservation League (January 27, 2021)
Rebecca Miller, Executive Director of the DC Preservation League, leads the organization’s first-ever virtual tour of St. Elizabeths Hospital. This program explores the fascinating history of the country’s first federally funded mental health hospital and discuss the preservation of its campus and buildings.
Since its founding in 1852, the campus of St. Elizabeths Hospital has had an important impact on the treatment of the mentally ill in the United States. Sited on a wooded ridge in the Anacostia Hills, this National Historic Landmark consists of buildings, landscapes, and viewsheds that convey the history and significance of this 350 acre campus. The 350 acre campus is in various phases of mixed use development and is a living example of how public attitudes and policy shape the built environment and how the built environment can shape public attitudes.
Additional Resources
St. Elizabeths Hospital: A History by Thomas Otto (U.S. General Services Administration, 2003)
DC Historic Sites St. Elizabeths Hospital Tour
Riding Through the Past: New Metrobus Tours on the DC Historic Sites App (February 24, 2021)
Led by DC Preservation League, this presentation explores “Riding Through the Past”– a series of new bus tours on the DC Historic Sites mobile app and website.
In 1976, Don’t Tear It Down (DTID) published a series of brochures on various public bus routes across the nation’s capital, titled “Take One Tour.” They aimed to make riders aware of the historic sites along their bus route. Today, the DC Preservation League continues its predecessor’s work with a series of digital tours offered on the organization’s mobile app. These tours take inspiration from “Take One Tour” and encourage present-day Washingtonians to explore the history of DC’s built environment on their everyday commute.
The recording of this presentation is being used for the National Council on Public History’s 2021 Annual Meeting. DCPL Staff will be leading a live Q&A about Riding Through the Past for NCPH on March 26th at 12:30pm. Learn more about the conference.
[The app can be downloaded from Google Play and the Apple App Store]
The Slowe-Burrill House with EHT Traceries, Inc. (March 30, 2021)
As part of our celebration of Women’s History Month, EHT Traceries, Inc. led a presentation for the DC Preservation League about the Slowe-Burrill House (1256 Kearny Street, NE).
The event included a presentation on the history and significance of two remarkable African American women who were pioneers in local education in the early twentieth century: Lucy Diggs Slowe and Mary Powell Burrill. They resided at their house on Kearny Street NE from 1922-1937. The presentation discussed the careers of both women and explain their 15 year occupancy of the house, where Lucy Slowe and Mary Burrill hosted parties and intellectual gatherings attended by female Howard students and prominent writers and artists, including Jean Toomer and Georgia Douglas Johnson.
On December 18, 2019 the DC Preservation League (DCPL) in partnership with homeowners Ben and Dawn O’Connell submitted the nomination prepared by EHT Traceries, Inc. On April 30, 2020, the Historic Preservation Review Board voted unanimously to designate the Slowe-Burrill house.
Additional Resources
Slowe-Burrill House Nomination
Lucy Diggs Slowe Papers (Howard University)
LGBTQ Historic Context Study (DC Historic Preservation Office)
A Journey Across America...Starting at the Willard Hotel with Carol M. Highsmith (April 6, 2021)
On April 6, 2021, the DC Preservation League had the chance to speak with photographer, author, and publisher Carol M. Highsmith to learn more about her work.
Carol Highsmith has been visually documenting Washington, DC architecture for the past forty-one years. She started her career in the Willard Hotel in 1980, taking images of the wreck it had become (see above). She then continued down Pennsylvania Avenue and spent seventeen years documenting the rebuilding of the Willard, which included taking aerials at least once a month. She also documented the rebuilding of Union Station and produced a book about its history: http://carolhighsmithamerica.com/
Carol has been traveling across the country and visually documenting America for her Library of Congress collection since the mid-1980s. She is honored to say her collection is one of the twenty-one featured digital collections–and she is the only living person whose work is included in that archive.
Diversifying the DC Inventory: Past and Present (April 20, 2021)
This program, led by DC Preservation League staff, explored past and current initiatives to create a more inclusive and diverse DC Inventory of Historic Sites.
DCPL’s Public History Fellow Kate Morgan began the program with a look at the groundbreaking work of the Afro-American Bicentennial Corporation (ABC). Formed in 1970 by Vincent and Robert DeFor(r)est, the ABC advocated for increased representation in the American historical narrative leading up to the Bicentennial. The ABC’s foundational work in social justice challenged the local Washington, DC historic preservation movement in the 1970s to reflect diverse historical narratives in the built environment. While there is still much work to be done in diversifying the inventory of historic places, the ABC acted as an impetus for modernizing historic preservation efforts in the nation’s capital, as well as across the country.
Executive Director Rebecca Miller then spoke to past and contemporary DCPL initiatives to recognize and preserve historic resources currently underrepresented in the DC Inventory. Through collaborative projects with the DC Historic Preservation Office and community groups, DCPL has worked to make sure that Black history, women’s history, Asian American history, LGBTQ+ history–and more–are reflected in the fabric of our nation’s capital.
"Endangered District: 50 Years of Preservation" Mini-Documentary Premiere (April 27, 2021)
Starting in 1996, the DC Preservation League began putting out an annual list of “Most Endangered Places,” those significant sites which may be threatened with ill-advised alteration or demolition. During the spring 2021 semester, students from American University’s Public History Practicum class researched the historic preservation movement in Washington, DC and looked at places included on this “Most Endangered” list. They selected a handful of sites to explore in more detail and spoke with some the individuals involved in protecting these important locations.
Following the premiere of the program, the students who worked on the project—Sajel Schwartz, Shae Corey, and Michael Jacobs— answered audience questions about their project.
The New Deal and Parks in Washington, D.C. with the Living New Deal (May 6, 2021)
In partnership with the Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA|DC), Washington Architectural Foundation, and District Architecture Center, the DC Preservation League hosted a presentation by the Living New Deal about their recently published map identifying works of the New Deal in Washington, DC: https://livingnewdeal.org/washington-dc-map-guide/
The New Deal transformed the nation’s capital in a brief decade, 1933-42. It realized the civic dreams of the L’Enfant and McMillan Plans: completion of the Federal Triangle, development of the capital parks, and renovation of the National Mall as the centerpiece of the city. Director of the Living New Deal, Richard Walker, and Project Historian, Brent McKee, highlighted the many historic landscapes in DC influenced by the New Deal.
Virtual Tour of Meridian Hill Park with Fiona Clem (May 13, 2021)
Meridian Hill Park (also known as Malcolm X Park) is one of the National Park Service’s most unique parks. Prior to becoming a national park the area was part of an estate called Meridian Hill, the home of a college precursor to George Washington University, a Civil War encampment, and the site of nature poet Joaquin Miller’s cabin. In October 1936 the park opened after 26 years of work and cost more than $1 million spent.
At the one-of-a-kind Meridian Hill Park, you’ll find the longest cascading fountain in North America, along with a memorial to disgraced President James Buchanan. Other curiosities include a statue of Joan of Arc—the only one to feature a woman on a horse in the city. Listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and as a National Historic Landmark, this beautiful 12-acre neoclassical national park was designed in the tradition of French gardens and Italian villas.
Fiona Clem, licensed D.C. tour guide and author of “Meridian Hill Park,” led a virtual tour of the historic park for DC Preservation League Members.
“Secret Washington, DC: A Guide to The Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure!” with JoAnn Hill (May 20, 2021)
In this webinar, author JoAnn Hill explores her new book, “Secret Washington, DC: A Guide to The Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure!”
Hill’s book covers a wide array of locations and historical events throughout the greater Washington, DC area, including many that are outside, distance-friendly, and/or free! So much of the DC area’s richness and beauty emanates from its parks, gardens, and urban green oases. Several of these green spaces that will be highlighted include International Park in Northwest DC, Chuck Brown Memorial Park in Northeast DC, the National Arboretum’s collection of bonsai and penjing trees, including the one that survived the bombing of Hiroshima, the Enchantment Forest at Clark’s Elioak Park in Ellicott City, and the history behind how Arlington Cemetery was built upon General Robert E. Lee’s estate and garden.