Brian Furness papers

This collection contains correspondence, minutes, reports, legal documents, financial documents, newsletters, clippings, promotional materials, photographs, and other materials. The material dates from 1966-2005, and was created and collected by Brian Furness in connection with his work as a community leader in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The papers reflect Furness' involvement with a number of civic organizations, most notably the Capitol Hill Restoration Society. The Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS) is the largest civic association on Capitol Hill. Its mission is to protect the residential character of the area and to support Eastern Market and other business districts. Eastern Market was built in 1873 and remains the last nineteenth century market in continuous operation in Washington, D.C.

The papers largely document Furness' work in support of zoning regulations to preserve the architectural integrity and residential character of the neighborhood through his involvement with CHRS, Eastern Market Community Action Committee, Bryan School Neighborhood Association and other groups. The papers deal with community efforts to ensure that new residential development was compatible with existing structures and neighborhood uses. Three series in particular, Boys Town, Bryan School, and Kentucky Courts, deal specifically with housing issues. Other issues addressed in the collection include business development, traffic control, crime, and historic preservation.