Welcome to
Historic Chevy Chase DC
We are a nonprofit historical society committed to researching and preserving the unique architectural and social character of our lovely circa-1907 community in Northwest Washington DC.
Formed in 1990, HCCDC has captured more than 32 oral histories of our residents, conducted a rigorous research study of the community’s desire for a Historic District, and offers a popular Historic Walking Tour every September, among many other activities. We welcome your interest!
Our Projects
Lafayette students have joined forces with HCCDC to recognize the history of Black landowners forced out in 1928 to create Lafayette Park.
House Histories
HCCDC’s online archives hold a growing collection of social and architectural histories of Chevy Chase DC houses, including Pam and Carl Lankowski’s 1919 kit house on McKinley Street.
Events
Join Prof. George Derek Musgrove, co-author of Chocolate City, for an HCCDC-sponsored Zoom discussion on how the politics of race have uniquely imprinted on the city of Washington, DC. RSVP in advance to attend — Latest News
Watch “A History of Your House” from HCCDC
At least 78 viewers logged into our first Zoom conference on May 12 entitled, “The History of Your House,” by HCCDC President Carl Lankowski. Carl, who bought his house on McKinley Street with his wife Pam in 2010, used his own house’s story to talk about what a house history entails, the types of things …
Researching a Washington, DC House: A Resource Guide
By Carolyn Long Here are some resources you will find useful to research your house or your neighborhood if you live in Washington, DC. BUILDING PERMITS The most detailed information on building permits comes from Brian Kraft’s 2009 “Building Permits Database,” but it is not available online and is somewhat difficult to use. An easier …
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Lafayette Students Launch Letter-Writing Campaign
April 2020 About 250 fourth and fifth graders at Lafayette Elementary School sat listening patiently to a story that many of them couldn’t fathom. They learned that just outside their door, a small community of Black landowners had been evicted from their property nearly 100 years ago to make way for the very school under …
Vera Rubin Gets Her Telescope!
Former Chevy Chase resident, the late Vera Rubin, passed over for a Nobel Price in physics for her contributions in identifying dark matter, finally gets an observatory named in her honor.
Ward 3 Heritage Guide Now Available
An exacting accounting of the historical events and places in DC’s Ward 3 is covered in a newly released publication by the D.C. Office of Historic Preservation. The guide, available online and by special request in print, is the second-to-last of the city’s eight wards to be featured in the fully illustrated color booklet. DC …
Interactive Kit-House Map Identifies Nearly 100 in Chevy Chase DC
Local Realtor and kit house expert Catarina Bannier has created an interactive map identifying catalogue houses in Chevy Chase DC. The houses, most of which were built between 1915 and 1932, are well-preserved today, she states, because they were exceptionally well constructed with quality materials. Chevy Chase DC is remarkable in both the density and …
Interactive Kit-House Map Identifies Nearly 100 in Chevy Chase DCRead More
NEW! Cate Toups Atkinson debuts a new blog about the intrigues of Chevy Chase DC’s past. Read a new posting every couple of weeks. You can reach her at cate.atkinson@gmail.com
Highwood Estate: All That’s Left is the Gatepost
The story of a grand residence and its owners was almost lost to history.
Continue Reading Highwood Estate: All That’s Left is the Gatepost
Join Us!
An annual contribution of just $25 a year supports our valuable work.
