In fulfillment of its FY22-24 strategic plan, the DC History Center has prepared the following Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility statement. If you have any questions about this information, please contact us at kingraham@dchistory.org.
Acknowledgement
Historical societies emerged in the late 19th century in the United States as exclusionary organizations that typically aimed to preserve and document the history of local White residents. Similarly, a small group of White men and women founded the Columbia Historical Society in 1894, and its membership continued to be all White until the second half of the 20th century. As a result, the organization has been profoundly shaped by discrimination against marginalized groups over time—and in ways that require correction and redress.
In the late 20th century, the DC History Center sought to break with past practices and broaden its focus to serve an increasingly diverse and multicultural city. However well-intended, these efforts were often neither consistent nor significant enough to represent a major shift, leading to a trust deficit with significant portions of the District’s communities.
Recognizing this legacy, the DC History Center is now actively grappling with recent exclusionary and discriminatory practices such as:
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- Collections policies and procedures that prioritize White Washington over other aspects of the city’s history
- Program and exhibit development that consistently privileges curatorial expertise and authority over community engagement, dialogue, and lived experience
- Lack of diversity among staff, board, volunteers, and members who are predominantly White and upper-class
- Reliance on volunteer and unpaid work, including interns, which favors the participation of White and upper-class individuals
- Partnerships with organizations shaped by similar historical patterns, thereby reinforcing them
Recognizing these deficits is the first step toward rectifying their effects. As the DC History Center enters a new chapter in its long history as a cultural heritage organization, we believe that our organization can support a diverse, vibrant, and complex city by preserving, honoring, and uplifting the full range of stories that unfold in the nation’s capital.
Our Role
The DC History Center contributes towards just outcomes for Washingtonians of color and other historically marginalized groups by exposing the historical roots of current inequities and honoring agency, resistance, and resilience. We aspire to be an inclusive and welcoming convener, using the tools of history to put our audience members in conversation with each other, while encouraging learning and empathy. We urge our stakeholders—as engaged citizens, taxpayers, educators, and leaders—to use these insights to support equitable outcomes including but not limited to housing, education, and policing.
Our Commitment
The DC History Center commits to:
- Actively listen to the perspectives and stories of our diverse communities and illuminate these stories through our programs, services, and collections
- Foster a culture of inclusivity and respect for all stakeholders and audiences
- Make its collections, spaces, programs, and services accessible to all audiences
- Reflect our communities in our board, staff, volunteers, and contractors
- Reduce our reliance on unpaid work
- Ensure transparency and equity in our pay administration
- Hold monthly meetings with a JEDI focus to learn about evolving best practices and increase our knowledge
- Share yearly updates with our community about lessons learned