See this year-end donation-solicitation newsletter from the DC Preservation League.
Note that the bottom of the message is an item about pop-ups. And note that the image is of 1334-1336 North Capitol Street NW.
Subject: December 2014 e-Advocate
From: info@dcpreservation.org
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 17:14:28 +0000
December 2014
Recent Events
A Note From Our Executive Director
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On behalf of the DCPL Board of Trustees and staff, I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone Happy Holidays. 2014 has been a great year for DCPL and we would like to thank you all for your support and participation this year. Stay tuned for exciting new events and educational opportunities in 2015!
Warmest Regards,
Rebecca Miller
Help us Reach our Goal!
5 Reasons to Include DCPL in Your End-of-Year Giving this Year:
- More bang for the buck: Donate by December 31st and your contribution will be matched by a generous anonymous donor!
- Your donation will support new lecture series, tours, and events that you won’t want to miss!
- It takes a Village! The protection and celebration of DC’s historic and cultural foundations hinge on community support.
- Your contribution will help DCPL’s staff and dedicated volunteers continue to advocate for DC’s rich heritage.
- It’s easy and convenient! Make an impact with just one click!
Donate today to double your support for the DC Preservation League. All donations made by December 31, 2014 will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $100,000.
Historic Preservation Review Board Actions
New Landmarks!
Last month, the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) heard three cases involving new landmark/historic district designations in DC. The Board voted unanimously to designate two new landmarks and list them in the DC Inventory: Blanche Kelso Bruce School (770 Kenyon St., NW) and the James Ormond Wilson Normal School (1100 Harvard St., NW). Both landmark nominations will be forwarded to the National Register of Historic Places for listing based on local significance. The Rock Creek Valley Historic District (expansion) nomination was heard and approved “in concept”. However, based on testimony, the Board voted to hold the case open to allow the Preservation Office to conduct additional outreach to the affected neighborhoods.
Blanche Kelso Bruce School
770 Kenyon Street, NW (Case 13-2)
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Constructed in 1898 as an eight-room school for African American students, the Bruce School was originally designed in the Italian Renaissance style by William M. Poindexter. The school expanded in 1927 and remains a significant resource in the community, lauded both for its exceptional design and its role in the growing African American community north of Florida Avenue during the late 19th century. Click here to read more.
James Ormond Wilson Normal School
1100 Harvard Street, NW (Case 13-20)
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Designed by Ashford Snowden in 1912, the Wilson Normal School was founded by pioneers in the teacher education movement, such as Thomas Gallaudet, and is significant for its design and its contributions to the public education movement in DC during the early 20th century.Click here to read more.
Rock Creek Valley Historic District
(Case 14-19)
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The picturesque Rock Creek Park Historic District was established in 1991. This nomination seeks to expand the boundaries of the historic district to include several adjacent public reservations that are considered to be part of the park. Click here to read more.
December Historic Preservation Review Board Meeting
The December HPRB meeting took place on Thursday, December 18th. The agenda included presentations on two pending landmark nominations:Hill Building (1636 I Street, NW) and Editors Building (1729 H Street, NW). Other cases on the agenda included a concept review for the new DC Prep Charter School in the Anacostia Historic District and a concept review for new housing units in the Blagden Alley-Naylor Court Historic District. Click here to see a full list of the cases scheduled for the hearing. Stay tuned for HPRB’s December actions in our next newsletter.
2015 Call For Volunteers
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Do you love old buildings? Looking for ways to spend a couple hours each month getting up close and personal with some of the city’s most fascinating historic buildings? DCPL has several new and exciting programs, lectures, and events lined up for 2015 and we’ll need your help! Help us plan for the year by joining one of our committees or help us during our events. Click here to learn more about DCPL committees and other exciting volunteer opportunities. Fill out our volunteer form today and someone from the office will contact you about your interests!
POP It UP To Zoning
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The term “pop-up” is becoming a ubiquitous term in neighborhoods outside of historic districts across the city. As DCPL Executive Director, Rebecca Miller reported in her Washington Business Journal article in May, the DC Office of Planning (OP) and Historic Preservation Office (HPO) are working together to explore ways to establish “Conservation Districts” in the city to alleviate the pop-up dilemma. Last month, during a presentation to the City Council on the Mid-City East Small Area Plan, Ellen McCarthy, Acting Director of the DC Office of Planning, stated that OP is no longer pursing conservation districts in the city and will rely on zoning amendments to solve the widespread problem. The DC Office of Planning is working on a proposal that will regulate the height of R-4 zoned areas to a maximum of 35 feet. The Zoning Commission is scheduled to hear OP’s zoning proposal on January 15, 2015 during the Commission’s Public Hearing. Click here to RSVP for the hearing. Although the hearing date is fast approaching, the enforcement of any decision could take several months. Click here to learn more about the issue and how you can contribute to the debate.







