DCCA was founded on May 1st, 1922. Its origins were mixed. The founders wanted to bring residents, businesses, and non-profit organizations together to improve the quality of life in an active and diverse urban neighborhood. They also wanted to preserve the character of a racially segregated and economically advantaged enclave in a city that looked very different. Over the last century, DCCA has made a major contribution to preserving the architectural character and environment of Dupont Circle and fostering diversity and citizen engagement, leaving behind, we hope, the more divisive aspects of its origins. Its annual House Tours show how new development can be compatible with a rich historical legacy. It has worked to keep grocery stores, dry-cleaners, bookstores, and hardware stores in the neighborhood when their existence was threatened by conversion to bars and restaurants. For more than 20 years, DCCA has supported and marched in the annual Pride Parade, which originated in Dupont Circle. More recently, DCCA’s restoration of the T Street Park has been the delight of neighbors when other public spaces were closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. DCCA has successfully promoted volunteer efforts, fund raising, and charitable giving to improve local schools, increase tree cover, maintain parks and gardens, restore the historic police and fire callboxes, enhance local cultural institutions, and post “Scoop Your Pet’s Poop” signs throughout the neighborhood.
We are developing a short booklet showing the work of DCCA over the last 100 years and would like your help. We are looking for written material or short personal observations and memories about DCCA's work and the challenges that it has faced. If you have any historical material or can point us to any, or if you could offer a short, written summary of a particular event or campaign in which DCCA was or should have been involved, please let us know by September 30th. This is when we will start writing.
As pointers, we suspect that the historical themes will fall under one or several of these headings -- but this list is just to provoke reflections and is not comprehensive:
- DCCA's work in keeping the residential character of the neighborhood - zoning, historical preservation, resisting commercialization
- DCCA and neighborhood safety - street lighting, police liaison
- DCCA's work in keeping the neighborhood clean - working with DC government on trash collection and street cleaning, rodent mitigation, dog poop clean up
- DCCA and historical awareness - promoting the history of Dupont Circle and showcasing its architectural legacy
- DCCA and neighborhood involvement -- membership meetings and awareness campaigns to raise awareness of neighborhood developments including bike lanes and streateries
- DCCA and social justice - promoting awareness about the roots of DC's homelessness crisis and the city's segregated past
- DCCA's changing relationship with DC Government and with the ANC
Please send any material or suggestions to info@dupont-circle.org. If possible, please include a heading about the themes that the material or your reflections address.
We look forward to hearing from you.
