Resources and Further Reading

This page provides links to archives, organizations, and resources for those interested in learning more about the history of Upper Northwest Washington, D.C.

Historical Organizations

Tenleytown Historical Society

  • Website: tenleytownhistoricalsociety.org
  • Mission: Preserving and sharing the history of Tenleytown and surrounding neighborhoods
  • Resources: Historical articles, photographs, walking tour information

DC History Center

  • Website: dchistory.org
  • Services: Walking tours, research library, educational programs
  • Tenleytown Tours: Periodic guided tours of the neighborhood

Cultural Tourism DC

  • Website: culturaltourismdc.org
  • Resource: Tenleytown Heritage Trail guide
  • Services: Self-guided walking tour materials

Archives and Collections

DC Public Library - The People's Archive

  • Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
  • Website: dclibrary.org/plan-visit/peoples-archive
  • Holdings: Photographs, oral histories, documents, and materials highlighting DC's diverse communities

Dig DC - Historic Image Collection

  • Website: digdc.dclibrary.org
  • Description: DC Public Library's digital repository
  • Tenleytown Content: Five images specifically categorized under Tenleytown
  • Strengths: Built environment, streets, buildings, monuments, early Washingtonians

Library of Congress - Prints & Photographs Online Catalog

  • Website: loc.gov/pictures
  • Coverage: 95% of images digitized and catalogued
  • Notable Collections:
  • Theodor Horydczak Collection: ~14,350 photographs documenting Washington architecture and social life (1920s-1940s)
  • Historic American Building Survey (HABS): Photographs, drawings, and written histories for 43,000+ structures

Georgetown University Library

Local Resources

Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library

  • Location: 4450 Wisconsin Avenue NW
  • Resource: Small Tenleytown history reference collection
  • Hours: Check DC Public Library website for current hours

Methodist Cemetery

  • Established: 1855
  • Website: Managed by non-profit organization
  • Resources: Burial records, tombstone photographs

Walking Tours

Tenleytown Heritage Trail

  • Type: Self-guided walking tour
  • Markers: Historical plaques throughout Tenleytown
  • Guide: Available from Cultural Tourism DC and Tenleytown Historical Society
  • Topics Covered:
  • John Tennally's Tavern
  • Civil War history
  • Streetcar era
  • Broadcasting history
  • Schools and churches
  • Commercial development

Online Resources

Ghosts of DC

  • Website: ghostsofdc.org
  • Content: Washington, DC history and old stories
  • Format: Blog with historical photographs and research

Glover Park History

  • Website: gloverparkhistory.com
  • Related Content: Streetcars on Wisconsin Avenue, the Tenleytown Variations

Wikipedia

Relevant articles: - Tenleytown - American University Park - Fort Reno Park - American University - Streetcars in Washington, D.C.

Books and Publications

Historic Washington

  • "Historic Photos of Washington, D.C." by Matthew B. Gilmore and Andrew Brodie Smith
  • Available through major book retailers

DC Office of Planning

Academic Resources

  • University archives at American University
  • Georgetown University Special Collections

Government Resources

DC Office of Planning

  • Website: planning.dc.gov
  • Resources:
  • Census and demographic data
  • Historic preservation information
  • Wisconsin Avenue Development Framework

DC Historic Preservation Office

  • Website: planning.dc.gov/hpo
  • Resources:
  • DC Inventory of Historic Sites
  • National Register nominations
  • Historic district information

National Park Service

Community Organizations

Tenleytown Main Street

  • Website: tenleytownmainstreet.org
  • Focus: Supporting local businesses and community development
  • History Section: Information about neighborhood history

Spring Valley Wesley Heights Citizens Association

  • Website: svwhca.org
  • Focus: Neighborhood advocacy and community

Friendship Heights Alliance

In Washington, D.C.

  • Fort Stevens: Site of the only Civil War battle in DC
  • Theodore Roosevelt Island: Where the Nacotchtank people relocated in 1668
  • Rock Creek Park: Natural area preserving pre-development landscape

In Maryland

  • Bethesda: Connected by the Red Line and Wisconsin Avenue
  • Rockville: Northern terminus of the historic Georgetown-Frederick Road

Research Tips

For Genealogical Research

  1. Check the Methodist Cemetery records for burial information
  2. Use Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org for census records
  3. Consult the DC Archives for property records and vital statistics

For Property History

  1. DC Office of Tax and Revenue: Property records
  2. DC Recorder of Deeds: Historic deed documents
  3. Library of Congress: Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps

For Photographs

  1. Start with Dig DC for local images
  2. Check the Library of Congress for broader coverage
  3. Contact the Tenleytown Historical Society for neighborhood-specific photos

For Maps

  1. Library of Congress Geography and Map Division
  2. DC Office of Planning historic maps
  3. Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps (available through Library of Congress)

Contribute to Local History

Tenleytown Historical Society

The society welcomes: - Donations of photographs and documents - Oral history participants - Volunteer researchers - Members interested in preservation

DC Public Library - People's Archive

Accepts donations of materials related to DC history, including: - Photographs - Documents - Oral histories - Memorabilia

Stay Connected

Events

  • Tenleytown Historical Society meetings and events
  • DC History Center walking tours
  • Library programs at Tenley-Friendship Library

Social Media

Follow local historical organizations for updates on events, new discoveries, and preservation efforts.