About HSW

Mission

The Historical Society of Washington, D.C., serves the city, its residents and visitors as an educational institution that promotes knowledge of the past for better understanding of the future. The Historical Society of Washington, D.C. collects, preserves and shares the rich history of Washington, D.C.

Washington is a fascinating place brimming with unique stories. As our nation?s capital, the city is known to everyone in the world as a monumental federal city. Less well known, however, is Washington as the culturally-rich livable hometown behind the headlines. HSW maintains a comprehensive collection of images, maps, and documents related to Washington, D.C.; promotes research and scholarship; publishes the bi-annual Washington History journal; and offers educational and public programs.

Vision

The Historical Society of Washington, D.C., promotes understanding to the nation's capital as a city of crossroads where North and South, federal and local, urban and suburban, national and international, native and newcomer intersect, and where African American, white, Hispanic and Asian meet and become American.

The Historical Society is devoted to making the history of the Washington metropolitan area and its people accessible and understandable to public audiences in order to achieve a sense of identity, place and pride in Washington for those who live and work.