Peering Into the Past: A Glimpse of Union Station Back in 1914
Take a look back in time and explore a photo of Union Station in 1914. See the familiar line of taxis waiting for passengers in this historic image.
1910s
The 1910s brought World War I and a massive wave of federal construction that reshaped downtown Washington. The war brought hundreds of thousands of workers flooding into the city, straining housing, transit, and every civic institution to its limits. Woodrow Wilson’s Washington was also the decade when the federal government was formally segregated.
A $5.5 Million Christmas Gift: The Story of Secretary MacVeagh’s Home on 16th Street NW
This Christmas Eve, experience the story of Secretary MacVeagh’s palatial home on 16th Street NW. Learn how this gift cost $5.5 million in today’s dollars and discover the secret of the Kalamein iron doors.
Raleigh Hotel: 71 Years on Pennsylvania Avenue
The gold-and-white top-floor ballroom where Buddy Holly danced for Washington teens on live TV. Then a wrecking crew in 1964.
Exploring the Past: An Old Map of Chevy Chase
Explore the past and take a look at this old 1913 map of Chevy Chase, DC. Discover the history of this iconic Washington, DC neighborhood with this beautiful vintage map.
Early 20th Century Flying Innovation: William Randolph Hearst, Jay Gould, and the Rex Smith Aeroplane Company
This cool old advertisement shows competition for flying innovation in the early 20th century. William Randolph Hearst offered $50,000 for a successful flight across the U.S. Learn more about Jay Gould’s $10,000 offer to the first pilot to fly at 10,000 feet and the Rex Smith Aeroplane Company founded in College Park Maryland.
July 4, 1919: Washington’s First Fourth of July After World War I
An international peace parade on Pennsylvania Avenue, huge crowds on the Ellipse, and the biggest Fourth Washington had ever seen. Photos from July 4, 1919.
Exploring D.C.’s German Beer Hall History at Dietz’s Rathskeller
Before World War I, Dietz’s Rathskeller was a popular beer joint in the heart of D.C. Learn about its history, explore the area today, and be amazed at what this spot has to offer!
Alexandria, Virginia from the Air in 1919
An aerial photograph of Alexandria, Virginia taken in 1919. Click through for the full-resolution version to explore the detail.
A Trip Down Memory Lane: Real Estate in Chevy Chase in 1913
Take a trip down memory lane and explore real estate in Chevy Chase, D.C. in 1913. Back then, you could get a great home for $6,500, the equivalent of about $156,000 today. Now, these homes are easily worth a million dollars.