Washington History is the only scholarly publication devoted exclusively to the history of our nation’s capital. First published in 1989, the magazine replaced the Records of the Columbia Historical Society (1897-1989). Washington History is filled with scholarly articles edited for the general reader. It is written and edited by distinguished historians and journalists, offering a rich array of images as well as reviews and short features.

The current and past issues are available for purchase in the DC History Center Store. The magazine is mailed to members as a benefit of Membership Plus level membership in the DC History Center, and digital access is available via JSTOR to members through our online portal. (Members: see our guide to accessing Washington History).

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To sample Washington History, please take a look at the essays on the pages linked below.

Washington History in the Classroom

 

CURRENT ISSUE

Fall 2024 | Volume 36, Number 2

This special Washington History marks the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Home Rule Act, which enabled Washingtonians to elect a mayor and city council and participate in local government for the first time since 1870. Michael K. Fauntroy leads  with his account of ongoing Congressional interference in city affairs. Sarah Shoenfeld and George Derek Musgrove each interviewed witnesses to the home rule era’s birth: Colbert I. King and Arrington Dixon, respectively. The issue concludes with Sam Smith’s original “Case for Statehood” and Tim Kumfer on the life and work of Statehood Party co-founder Josephine Butler.

Purchase Washington History

Washington HistoryFall 2024 | Volume 36, Number 2

Current Issue Cover Art

Stories:

Congressional Interference and the Failures of Home Rule

Congressional Interference and the Failures of Home Rule

by Michael K. Fauntroy

The compromises that failed to free DC government from outsider interference and restore voting representation in Congress.

Primary Voices

Primary Voices

by Sarah Shoenfeld and George Derek Musgrove

Colbert I. King and Arrington Dixon recall the losing struggles for a meaningful and truly autonomous city government and the excitement of a government aborning.

“It’s in Our Hands to Build Our Country in Our Image”

“It’s in Our Hands to Build Our Country in Our Image”

by Timothy Kumfer

Josephine Butler, DC Statehood, and the Everyday Work of Emancipation How the activist went from union organizer to co-founder of the party seeking to break congressional control of DC.

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Current issue:
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Washington History is also accessible through JSTOR, the online service that preserves the scholarly record.

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Are you a historian, journalist, or student writing on Washington, DC history? The editors of Washington History welcome submissions of essays as well as notices of blogs and copies of books to review. Please view the submission guidelines and contact the editor for further information: editor@dchistory.org.

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Editorial Staff

  • Sarah Shoenfeld, Editor
  • Ryan Bacic, Managing Editor
  • Anne Masters Design, Graphic Design

Editorial Board

  • Chris Myers Asch
  • Sally Lichtenstein Berk
  • Kenneth R. Bowling
  • Mary Beth Corrigan
  • William C. diGiacomantonio
  • Matthew B. Gilmore
  • Michael Harrison
  • Mary D. Hewes
  • Christopher Klemek
  • Richard Longstreth
  • George Derek Musgrove
  • Joseph P. Reidy
  • Malgorzata Rymsza-Pawlowska
  • Kim Prothro Williams

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