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.
To advertise in Washington History, download our media kit.
How To Get Washington History
SHOP OUR STORE
The current and past issues are available for purchase in the DC History Center Store.
BECOME A MEMBER
The magazine is a benefit of membership in the DC History Center. Visit our membership page for details!
SUBSCRIBE
Only want the magazine? Get your subscription here! Washington History is published twice per year—in the spring and fall.
SAMPLE
To read sample Washington History articles, check out our LibGuide “Washington History in the Classroom.”
CURRENT ISSUE
Spring 2025 | Volume 37, Number 1 (Coming May 2025)
This issue of Washington History visits three very different DC addresses to reveal people who, through persistence and force of personality, thrived in our city. David Nicholson offers the early-1920s story of Mattie and Alfred Simons, who arrived in segregated DC during the Great Migration. Their journey up the economic ladder began in a narrow rowhouse overlooking a raucous alley speakeasy. Elizabeth Warner describes congressional wife Virginia Murray Bacon’s move from New York into a four-story mansion, where she famously hosted parties for political and cultural elites. Half a century later, Esa Syeed describes how Black and White residents of Adams Morgan banded together to create the city’s first community-run school and a new kind of educational campus. Marie Reed Elementary today continues to nurture children and the wider community.
Washington HistorySpring 2025 | Volume 37, Number 1
Stories:
IN SEARCH OF A BETTER LIFE
VIRGINIA MURRAY BACON AND THE ART OF THE WASHINGTON SALON
THE ARCHITECTURE OF ANTI-RACISM:
Purchase
Current issue:
DC History Center Store
Recent and past issues:
DC History Center Store
Second Story Books
Washington History is also accessible through JSTOR, the online service that preserves the scholarly record.
Submit to Washington History
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.
Advertise
Washington History accepts paid advertising, which supports the publication and the programs of the DC History Center. For rates, schedules, specifications and to reserve your space, download our media kit here.
Editorial Staff
- Jane F. Levey, Editor
- Tara Bahrampour, Managing Editor
- John DeFerrari, Review Editor
- Anne Masters Design, Graphic Design
- Katrina Ingraham, Advertising
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