The Association of Oldest Inhabitants of D.C.
Making D.C. History Award for Distinction in Historic Preservation
The Historical Society of Washington, D.C. is proud to announce that The Association of Oldest Inhabitants of D.C. (AOI) will receive the Making D.C. History Award for Distinction in Historic Preservation at the Making D.C. History Awards on Friday, October 7, 2016.
Over the past four years, the Historical Society has honored sixteen Washingtonians and D.C.-based organizations whose enduring contributions to our community have helped create, define, and preserve our city’s heritage. On Friday, October 7, 2016, the Historical Society welcomes five more history makers to the growing list of distinguished honorees, recognized for their contributions to the fabric of life in Washington, D.C.
About The Association of Oldest Inhabitants of D.C.
On December 7, 1865, 31 prominent business and civic leaders founded The Association of Oldest Inhabitants of D.C., today the city’s oldest civic organization. In light of the huge influx of newcomers to the city during and after the Civil War, the founders shared a concern that the city’s early history would be forgotten. They also expressed a desire to heal the wounds of the war’s sectional differences. AOI met regularly to discuss and record people, places, and events. For more than a century membership was limited to “any white male over the age of 50 who has been a resident for 45 years” and was “of good personal character.”
A parallel African American organization, the Association of Oldest Inhabitants (Colored), was formed in 1912. The two groups met jointly on only one occasion: in 1919, to honor D.C. citizens who had served in World War I. AOI (Colored) dissolved in the 1970s.
Over the years, AOI’s vision has shifted outward to support civic improvements, historic preservation, and memorialization. Membership requirements were also loosened and in 1993 the leadership removed racial and gender restrictions. Membership is now open to anyone who is at least 40 years old and has resided or formerly resided or worked or done business in the District for at least 20-years or regardless of age is descended from such a person.
AOI today works to keep D.C. history alive and to preserve the L’Enfant Plan as well as the city’s historic buildings, forts, and parks. Its archives—a rich trove of records, portraits, and speeches—are now preserved and available to researchers at the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. Members continue to meet regularly to foster fellowship around and share interest in the city’s present and the future. Bill Brown, President of AOI, will accept the award at the October 2016 event.
Sources: Zach Klitzman, “Association of Oldest Inhabitants Gets Older,” Washington History 27-2 (fall 2015), 75-76; http://www.aoidc.org/
About the Making D.C. History Awards
The Making D.C. History Awards is an annual event that supports the mission of the Historical Society and honors it as one of the city’s most important locally focused cultural institutions.
Friday, October 7, 2016
Presented by the Historical Society of Washington, D.C., in the historic
Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square.
Honoree Reception
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Champagne and hors d’oeuvres with complimentary valet parking
Awards Presentation
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Seated dinner and awards ceremony hosted by Wendy Rieger, NBC4 News
Flashback D.C.
9:00 – 11:30 p.m.
Open bar & entertainment
Other honorees includes:
- McGuire Family
Legacy Families of Washington, D.C. - Meyer Foundation
Making D.C. History Award for Distinction in Local Philanthropy - Washingtonian Magazine
Making D.C. History Award for Distinction in Local Media - Mayor Anthony Wiliams
Making D.C. History Award for Distinction in Civic Leadership
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