To request boxes, please submit the collection, series, and box number(s) via our Contact form.
Capitol Hill Restoration Society records
Collection
Identifier: MS2009
Collection Scope and Content
This collection consists of material gathered and created by the Capitol Hill Restoration Society as a function of their work as an advocacy agency in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. The type of material in the collection includes newsletters, correspondence, photographs, treasurer reports, maps, reports, and studies. This material dates from 1904-2012 with the majority of the material falling within the dates 1958-2012. Topics of interest include Eastern Market, Barney Circle Freeway Modification Project, Yost House, House Tours, and Traffic.
Dates
- 1904-2012
Creator
- Capitol Hill Restoration Society (Organization)
Restrictions on Access
Some records may be restricted.
Restrictions on Use
Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.
Historical Note
The Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS) formed in 1955 as an advocacy group with the goal of preserving the character and architecture of the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Prior to 1955 citizens' associations had existed including the Capitol Hill Southeast Citizens' Association and the Southeast Civic Association. The CHRS, however, filled a specific role as a public forum for residents to promote and protect the predominately residential character of the community. One of the most significant achievements towards this goal was the successful placement of the Capitol Hill neighborhood on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Thereafter residents were required to obtain permission to make changes to the exterior of their houses. This ensures that the physical look of the houses reflect the historical integrity of the time period in which they were built.
Prior to 1791 when Pierre Charles L'Enfant was hired to design the city of Washington D.C., the land now known as Capitol Hill was farmland. Many of the neighborhood's first residents were the construction workers hired to build the Capitol. In 1799 the building of the Navy Yard brought in additional jobs and residents. Following the Civil War, the population of the Capitol Hill neighborhood increased steadily as the Federal Government grew and the Navy Yard became the world's largest ordnance producer and engineering research center. The growth of the Federal Government and its need for building space led to the demolition of many of the original buildings in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Fortunately, many of the late 19th and early 20th Century buildings, especially the homes, remain. The Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS) story begins with the restoration movement that followed World War II. The CHRS mission is a good summary of the type of work done by the organization. The mission includes protecting Capitol Hill's residential character by challenging threatening and inappropriate development and incursions into the neighborhood by increased cross-town traffic, helping residents to protect their property values, and offers advice on the maintenance and repair of historic buildings, ensuring that city-wide zoning regulations are applied consistently, in a manner that enhances the neighborhood, working to improve city services such as tree and park maintenance, street repairs, trash collection, and recycling and engages in community issues like public safety, surplus school disposal, and organizing activities like the annual House and Garden Tour that promote Capitol Hill as a fine residential community.
Prior to 1791 when Pierre Charles L'Enfant was hired to design the city of Washington D.C., the land now known as Capitol Hill was farmland. Many of the neighborhood's first residents were the construction workers hired to build the Capitol. In 1799 the building of the Navy Yard brought in additional jobs and residents. Following the Civil War, the population of the Capitol Hill neighborhood increased steadily as the Federal Government grew and the Navy Yard became the world's largest ordnance producer and engineering research center. The growth of the Federal Government and its need for building space led to the demolition of many of the original buildings in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Fortunately, many of the late 19th and early 20th Century buildings, especially the homes, remain. The Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS) story begins with the restoration movement that followed World War II. The CHRS mission is a good summary of the type of work done by the organization. The mission includes protecting Capitol Hill's residential character by challenging threatening and inappropriate development and incursions into the neighborhood by increased cross-town traffic, helping residents to protect their property values, and offers advice on the maintenance and repair of historic buildings, ensuring that city-wide zoning regulations are applied consistently, in a manner that enhances the neighborhood, working to improve city services such as tree and park maintenance, street repairs, trash collection, and recycling and engages in community issues like public safety, surplus school disposal, and organizing activities like the annual House and Garden Tour that promote Capitol Hill as a fine residential community.
Extent
97 Linear Feet (Boxes 1-194)
Language
English
Abstract
Collection consists of material gathered and created by the Capitol Hill Restoration Society as a function of their work as an advocacy agency in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. The type of material in the collection includes newsletters, correspondence, photographs, treasurer reports, maps, reports, and studies. This material dates from 1904-2012 with the majority of the material falling within the dates 1958-2012. Topics of interest include Eastern Market, Barney Circle Freeway Modification Project, Yost House, House Tours, and Traffic.
Collection Organization
Organized into 19 series: Ad hoc committees and task forces, Barney Circle Freeway Modification Project, Directories, Eastern Market, Peter Glickert papers, Graphics, Historic district committee, Historical files, Leukhardt family papers, Gregory New papers, Presidents' papers, Arline Roback papers, Standing committees, Treasurer's office records, Yost house committee, oversize materials, minutes, Accession #2009.061, and Accession 2004.001.
Acquisition Information
The Capitol Hill Restoration Society donated the bulk of these records in 2000 with continuing donations made periodically.
The Capitol Hill Restoration Society donated boxes 168-194, or accession 2014.015, on May 8, 2014.
The Capitol Hill Restoration Society donated boxes 168-194, or accession 2014.015, on May 8, 2014.
Creator
- Capitol Hill Restoration Society (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the Capitol Hill Restoration Society records, 1904-2012
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University
- Date
- 2006
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Repository