The Historical Society of Washington, D.C, is an museum dedicated to preserving and displaying the history of Washington D.C.. The society is an education foundation, it also provides lectures, exhibits, classes, community events, and other educational programs. The society’s Kiplinger Research Library houses a collection of books, maps, and photographs, related to the history of the city.

Located at the center of Mount Vernon Square, the society occupies a Beaux-ARts building, it was built by Andrew Carnegie in 1902. Originally used as the District of Columbia Public Library. Visitors are welcome to tour the exhibits and the library since its is open to the public. Prior to the reorganization of the Historical Society, the building once housed the City Museum of Washington, D.C.. It was devoted to the rich history of Washington, D.C. The New York firm of Ackerman and Ross was contracted to design and develop the overall concept for the museum. Thus including a state-of-the-art multimedia show called Washington Stories. The museum included three permanent galleries, a temporary gallery, and a cutting-edge theatrical multimedia show.

The goal was to create a truly 21st century museum that combines new technology and interactivity — making it fun and easy to learn about Washington’s history — with the historic meaning of the early 20th century building housing it. While that museum closed in November 2004 due to financial difficulties, the Historical Society has since reopened the building and currently has numerous exhibits on display.

As a Smithsonian Affiliate institution, their exhibits feature items on loan as well as pieces from their own collection. HSW over 27 featured exhibits planned over the next four years. Recent and upcoming exhibits include: Riots are the Language of the Unheard, an illustrated history of the 1968 riots; Voting Rights and Wilson Building Architecture; Quilts for Obama; and Portraying Lincoln, as part of the Lincoln bicentennial celebration.

In addition to the exhibits, HSW’s public programs engage residents and visitors by providing a forum for sharing the city’s history through HSW’s lecture series, films, discussions, historic walking tours, Heritage Month-related programming, and children’s hands-on workshops.

The Historical Society of Washington, DC’s Kiplinger Research Library is a free resource for scholars and the public to research D.C. history. HSW also publishes Washington History magazine and contributes to the Annual Conference on DC Historical Studies.’