The 1927 Tornado That Devastated DC and Alexandria
A waterspout rose from the Potomac below Alexandria, came ashore, and tore a 15-mile path across Washington in under half an hour.
Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill is one of the oldest and most historically layered neighborhoods in Washington, stretching from the Capitol itself east through the rowhouse blocks that housed members of Congress, their staffs, and generations of working families. These posts dig into the neighborhood’s history, from its earliest houses to the urban renewal battles that defined it in the 20th century.
From the Baltimore Sun to the U.S. Census: Uncovering the Tragic Tale of Rudolph and Mary Scheitlin
Digging through old newspaper archives and the U.S. Census, uncover the tragic tale of Rudolph and Mary Scheitlin that was printed in The Baltimore Sun in 1905. Learn the story of their rocky marriage, her dalliances and the fateful night that ended in murder.
Exploring the Evolution of 3rd Street in Washington D.C.
Explore the history of 3rd Street in Washington D.C. with this fascinating look at the evolution of the area from 1923 to today. See the Sherman house in the 300 block Third Street N.W. in a National Photo Company Collection glass negative.
A Blast From The Past: The United Food Stores Market in 1932 Compared to Today
Take a look at the incredible transformation of the United Food Stores Market in Washington, DC from 1932 to now! Compare the vintage photo to Google Street View and marvel at how far we’ve come!
The Old Naval Hospital on Capitol Hill
Lincoln signed off on a naval hospital in 1864. By the time it opened on Capitol Hill in 1866, the war it was built for was already over.
A Snowball Fight to Solve Gridlock: How Fun Was This Photo of Congressional Pages Taken in 1923?
Take a look at this fun old photo taken on December 14th, 1923. It shows a large group of boys who were Congressional pages on both sides of the aisle, battling it out with snowballs. Wouldn’t it be great if Members of Congress took this tactic to solve gridlock today?
Exploring East Capitol Street in 1888: A Map of Wood and Brick Buildings
Explore East Capitol Street in 1888 with this historic map. Find wood and brick buildings from over a century ago. Discover a piece of DC history with this interactive map from the Library of Congress.
A Look Back at a Sad Old Photo from the Library of Congress
A look back at a sad old photo from the Library of Congress. See a famous Capitol landmark being dismantled to make way for modern business.
The Leg of Col. Ulric Dahlgren: A Civil War Mystery at the Navy Yard
Discover the remarkable story of Col. Ulric Dahlgren, wounded in the Civil War and commemorated with a plaque at the Navy Yard. Learn how his leg ended up in a parking garage and the history of the building since then.