About the Tenleytown Historical Society

The Tenleytown Historical Society was incorporated in the District of Columbia in November 1988 to encourage architectural, cultural and historic preservation and to educate members of the community about the value of protecting and preserving DC history.

It was, and continues to be, the Society’s practice to work with other like-minded organizations and individuals and public entities to ensure that the city of Washington, particularly the area in and around Tenleytown (including Friendship Heights, American University Park, Armesleigh Park, Wakefield, Mount Airy, North Cleveland Park) retains its historic fabric.

The Internal Revenue Service has designated Tenleytown Historical Society a 501(c) (3) organization.  Dues and contributions paid to the Society are tax-deductible.

The Tenleytown Historical Society is operated completely by volunteers. We welcome new volunteers and contributions.  Please download the membership form pdf and mail it to us. 

In the fall of 2003 the Society completed a Historic Resources Survey of Tenleytown funded with the assistance of a matching grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service through the District of Columbia Historic Preservation Grant Program.  The survey area included over eight hundred buildings in an area roughly bounded by Van Ness, 43rd, and Fessenden Streets, and Reno Road.  The goal was to document the historical, architectural and cultural resources in the survey area.  The Survey, available at The Historical Society of Washington library and the Washingtoniana Division, Martin Luther King Library, identified a number of sites and areas that merited further research and consideration for nomination to the D.C. Inventory of Historic Sites. (Historic Tenleytown, Possible Landmarks)

In 2004 Tenleytown Historical Society completed a photographic survey of Friendship Heights, American University Park, and Tenleytown, funded by a grant from Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3E, and in 2008 the Humanities Council of Washington, DC provided a grant to the Society for the preparation of National Register multi-property nomination for the early houses in American University Park.

From 2003-2005 Tenleytown Historical Society, with Tenleytown Neighbors Association, worked with Cultural Tourism DC to install historical information along with sketches of historic sites in fire department call boxes that are no longer in use.  The boxes are scattered throughout Tenleytown.   Currently THS is working with Cultural Tourism DC on the creation of a Tenleytown Heritage Trail.  It is expected that the trail will debut in 2010.

Tenleytown Historical Society has submitted a number of nominations for listing in the D.C. Inventory of Historic Sites, resulting in the addition to the inventory of Grant Road Historic District (with Tenleytown Neighbors Association,) The Hilleary T. Burrows House, Convent of Bon Secours, Eldbrooke United Methodist Church now The City Church, The Methodist Cemetery (with The Methodist Cemetery Association,) Western Union Tower, and the multi-property, Tenleytown in Washington, D.C.

Architectural and Historic Resources, 1791-1941.  Nominations for additional sites are submitted from time to time. ( Historic Tenleytown, Applications pending) The Society is particularly pleased by the fact that new owners of a number of sites have demonstrated a commitment to restoring and maintaining their historic properties: the Burrows house has been rescued from years of neglect and rehabilitated with up to date systems and restoration of period details; a sensitively designed addition is planned for the Convent of Bon Secours, once slated for demolition, and now to be reopened as a women's study center; and the City Church, new owner of Eldbrooke, has brought a vibrant new congregation to this historic church,  is repairing the structure, and is enthusiastic about engaging with the community.

The Tenleytown Historical Society takes seriously the responsibility for the oversight of historic sites in its area.   It continues to monitor the ball fields at Fort Reno in an effort to ensure that any archeological remains are not disturbed, and that the site’s history is recognized and respected. 

The Society takes an interest in activities outside its immediate area, particularly as they may impact policies and enforcement of regulations relating to historic preservation and has joined with other interested organizations and individuals in the Coalition of Historic Districts. 

Meetings are held on topics of historic interest, and THS is in email contact with its members to keep them apprised of events and actions relevant to the preservation of our history.