CELEBRATING ONE OF AMERICA'S FIRST STREET CAR SUBURBS
In 1890, a new kind of neighborhood began to take shape on former farmland at the edge of Washington, D.C. The modern planned community of Chevy Chase, Maryland was designed to take advantage of a revolutionary mode of rapid transit: the streetcar. This electric-powered conveyance made commuting from a home in the country to work in the nation’s capital fast, easy and convenient. Residents of Chevy Chase enjoyed the best of both worlds – and they made the most of each!
Today’s residents and members of the Chevy Chase Historical Society protect and treasure the character of their community while they welcome the best aspects of the future. We welcome you to join us – and to explore our history.
The Chevy Chase Historical Society Archive and Research Center is open to the public by appointment only. For more information, contact us at 301-656-6141 or info@chevychasehistory.org.
Watch our Winter Lecture on “Hidden Alleyways of Washington, D.C.”
In this engaging presentation, Kim Prothro Williams takes her audience on a visual tour through D.C.’s most overlooked spaces—narrow alleyways, quiet courtyards, and inconspicuous corners. Through stunning photography and insightful commentary, she reveals how these often-forgotten areas, rich in history, offer a unique perspective on the city’s evolution. From architectural development to the social and cultural forces that shaped the capital, Williams provides a fresh and intimate view of D.C.
Watch our Spring Lecture on “Indigenous DC: Native Peoples and the Nation’s Capital”
In this presentation, Dr. Elizabeth Rule, a Chickasaw scholar and activist highlights how D.C. has long served as the political capital of Indian Country—a place where Native peoples have resisted, thrived, and persevered despite centuries of displacement and oppression. Through her powerful research and analysis, Rule’s work is not merely a historical account but a call to action, urging a reevaluation of how we understand and honor the enduring legacy of Native peoples in the nation’s capital.
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