Created over five years, the DC History Center, an urban history center in the US, opened on May 11, 2019. The center includes a library and a museum and is operated by the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1898, the society has long struggled to find the “right-size” home to support its mission in Washington.
The Historical Society closed in 2011 due to a lack of funding and was without a director for three years. After a two-year search, the Historical Society hired John Suau. Under his leadership, a beautiful new destination for DC history was created. The American Architecture Awards recently named Apple’s transformative restoration of the Carnegie Library the best restoration of 2020. With the support of technology, its transition into a 21st-century urban history center is finished.
Digital Communications
Rebranding the organization
Exhibits
Creating new exhibits enlivened community participation and engaged artists and photographers in the Historical Society’s work.
For the Record is one example. This was a crowd-sourced exhibit program about documenting the built environment of contemporary Washington, D.C. A group of museum curators juried the exhibition. It rapidly grew into one of the local community’s most engaging exhibits. From 2017 through May 2019, the Historical Society vacated the Carnegie Library to restore it.
During the restoration, community partners played a crucial role. The Newseum, the National Building Museum, and the George Washington University Museum provided program and operation space. This allowed for continued engagement with the local community.
Public Programs
Partnerships with community organizations are an important part of the new DC History Center. These partners enhance programs and bring new and diverse audiences to the new DC History Center. In 2014, the society partnered with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). They hosted the final edition of “Saving Our African American Treasures.”
The DC History Center produced numerous public programs, including tours, workshops, and speaker series. The annual DC History Conference partnered with the DC Public Library and the George Washington University Gelman Library. It worked with the National Archives. The University of the District of Columbia also collaborated. The Smithsonian National Museum of American History was included as well.
Community Partnerships
Community partnerships expanded the organization’s reach by establishing strategic alliances with local organizations. Partnerships include the Capital Pride Alliance and the DC Public Library. Other partners are the DC Preservation League, the George Washington University Museum, the National Archives, and the National Building Museum.
Collaborative relationships were formed with museum colleagues at the Smithsonian Anacostia Museum. Additionally, we connected with colleagues at Smithsonian Associates. We also reached out to the Smithsonian Latino Center and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
The Historical Society developed a long-term strategic partnership with the DC Office of Planning. This partnership helped to develop HistoryQuest DC. It is an interactive map with historical data on approximately 127,000 buildings in Washington, DC.
The map offers many layers of information for the user. The website provides historical data on individual buildings. It also links to information about properties on the National Register of Historic Places.
Fundraising and Grants
A complimentary program, the Visionary Historian Award, was established to create a second fundraising event recognizing local historians.
Together, the award programs increase the organization’s visibility and elevate the brand across the city. The events raised 10-15% of the organization’s annual budget. Augmented support from DC government agencies like the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and HumanitiesDC bolstered public support. Project grants from the Office of Planning also contributed. Overall, public support increased by more than 2300%.
Corporate Partnerships
Apple and the Carnegie Library Restoration
DC History Center
This new facility includes three exhibit galleries, a research library, a retail store, offices, and state-of-the-art collection storage facilities. From rebranding to a successful partnership with Apple, the DC History Center is now a 21st-century cultural hub. It welcomes all visitors for free, advancing the mission of the Historical Society.
John brought both vision and good management to the Historical Society and with his professional background and contacts, turned an archaic institution into a vibrant player in the city’s cultural scene.
