Who We Are
Founded in 1894, the DC History Center deepens understanding of our city’s past to connect, empower, and inspire. As the only community-based nonprofit focused on the District’s history, our vision is to engage with neighborhoods across DC and elevate the stories of Washington’s diverse people, communities, and institutions. We aim to do this work as a welcoming and inclusive nonprofit organization that fosters curiosity and nurtures civic engagement to strengthen the District.
What We Do
EXHIBITS
Our three current exhibits introduce basic DC history and our research collections, explore the history of the Carnegie Library building, and offer time travel back to DC’s 20th century via panoramic photography.
RESEARCH
The online resources of the Kiplinger Research Library are accessible for remote users. Library staff are also responding to remote research queries and filling orders for photographs and photocopies.
Learn more about the only periodical devoted to scholarly research on DC, written for the general public and published as a benefit of membership in the DC History Center.