Welcome to
Historic Chevy Chase DC
HCCDC is celebrating its 30th year as a nonprofit historical society conducting research and documenting the history, design architecture, landscape, streetscape and development of Chevy Chase DC, a lovely circa-1907 community in Northwest Washington DC.
We have captured more than 32 oral histories of our residents, conducted a rigorous research study of the community’s desire for a Historic District, organize history-related talks and events and conduct a popular Historic Walking Tour every September, among many other activities. We welcome your involvement and interest!
Latest News
UDC Wins Humanities Grant for Pointer-Related Project
HCCDC to Partner on “Black Land Loss in Washington: Memories of the Past, Hopes for the Future”
UDC Wins Humanities Grant for Pointer-Related ProjectRead More
DC Council Votes to Rename Park in Honor of Black Landowners
The DC City Council on Dec. 1 approved a preliminary measure to rename our local park “Lafayette-Pointer Park and Recreation Center.” The addition of “Pointer” honors the Black community evicted from the 6-acre site in 1928 so a school and park could be built for whites only. Tim Hannapel of Historic Chevy Chase DC, who …
DC Council Votes to Rename Park in Honor of Black LandownersRead More
Virtual History Walking Tour of Chevy Chase DC Now Available

If you missed our live Virtual “Walking” History Tour of Chevy Chase DC on Zoom on Nov. 17 you are in luck! We have now posted it for your enjoyment.
Virtual History Walking Tour of Chevy Chase DC Now AvailableRead More
Listen to Recording of “The Marquis de Lafayette & George Pointer”
Joined in Ideology, and Now in a Park Several dozen neighbors joined the latest installment of HCCDC’s “Race Matters Locally” series on Oct. 15 to explore the connection between George Pointer and the Marquis de Lafayette. These two names will be joined by a hyphen when the Lafayette Park and Recreation Center on Broad Branch …
Listen to Recording of “The Marquis de Lafayette & George Pointer”Read More
Events

NEW! Read about the latest intrigues of Chevy Chase DC’s past in Cate Toups Atkinson’s most recent blog post. Reach her at cate.atkinson@gmail.com
Four Fireplaces, One Mansion?
Four bungalows were built side by side on Chevy Chase Parkway in 1911. They each had identical Victorian marble fireplaces in different shades, likely salvaged from a mansion razed on Washington Circle.
Our Projects

HCCDC’s initiative to recognize the history of Black landowners forced out in 1928 to create Lafayette Park includes a plan to rename the park to Lafayette-Pointer Park. The letter above was written in 1829 by George Pointer, a slave who bought his own freedom at age 17 and whose descendants settled on Broad Branch.
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.
Historic House Plaques

Join Us!
An annual contribution of just $25 a year supports our valuable work.