DC HISTORY CONFERENCE Features First Ever Historic Neighborhood Gathering

Although these are challenging times for history advocates, the 51st DC History Conference was a tremendous success. The DC History Center presented the free conference at the Martin Luther King Public Library on April 3-6.  Nearly 1,200 DC lovers and history enthusiasts gathered over the four days - attending sessions, networking with peers, and connecting at the After-Hours Celebration.  Laura Brower Hagood, DC History Executive Director stated: “At a time when history and cultural institutions are under threat, it was empowering to come together as a community to learn from our past and from each other. “

FBA History Project table with GWU volunteers April and Yutong and Co-Chairs Frank Leone and Denise Vogt. (Z. Burt, April 2025)

For the third year in a row, the FBA History Project participated in the History Network or Showcase.  Many attendees stopped to share their memories of Foggy Bottom and learn about the FBA’s interactive Historic District House History Map, walking tours, and the Watergate Museum. We were delighted to have the assistance and enthusiasm of FBA History Project GWU volunteers April and Yutong. Scott Roberts (DC Historic Districts Coalition) and Frank encouraged other historic districts in the city to host tables. These   organizing efforts paid off as seven DC historic district/neighborhood groups, including the Capitol Hill Restoration Association, attended and interacted with each other and conference attendees 

NOTE:  National History Day Threatened – We recently reported on our involvement as judges with the National History Day (est. over 50 years ago) Competition in DC.  The students selected to advance to the Finals expected to compete at College Park, MD in July. The current administration, however, has eliminated funding – and if the organizers can’t raise sufficient funds the event will be cancelled. You can contribute to the event and help preserve its important programming, here.