the only scholarly publication devoted exclusively to the history of our nation’s capital

Washington History magazine

Written and edited by historians and journalists, it offers a rich array of images, reviews, short features, and scholarly articles edited for the general reader. First published in 1989, the magazine replaced the Records of the Columbia Historical Society (1897-1989).

Current Issue
Fall 2025 | Volume 37, Number 2

Four essays in four time periods—the 1960s and ‘70s, the 1950s, World War II, and the early 1800s—deepen understanding of federal/local relationships, social justice, and commerce.

Emilye Crosby presents the illustrated story of photographer and folklorist Roland L. Freeman. Tanya Mara Golash-Boza and Lily Lindros plumb real estate data to consider the many causes of White Flight in Brightwood Park. Anne Dobberteen recounts how Washingtonians responded to the threat of Axis air raids during World War II. Matthew Goetz writes the story of the Tripoli Monument (1808), Washington’s first national memorial, honoring sailors and marines who won the Tripolitan Wars to free Americans enslaved in North Africa. He also describes how the statue became a political football in the contest over American slavery.

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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

Jane F. Levey, Editor
Tara Bahrampour, Managing Editor
John DeFerrari, Review Editor
Anne Masters Design, Graphic Designer
Katrina Ingraham, Advertising Manager

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