page_title: Historical Society of Washington, D.C.
section_title: Recent history
hierarchical_section_title: Historical Society of Washington, D.C. / History / Recent history
caption_attribution_description: English: Carnegie Library, Washington, D.C.
context_page_description: The Historical Society of Washington, D.C. is an educational foundation and museum dedicated to preserving and displaying the history of Washington, D.C. The society provides lectures, exhibits, classes, community events, and other educational programs as part of its mission. In addition, the society's Kiplinger Research Library houses a collection of books, maps, photographs, and other materials relevant to the history of the city.
  Located in the center of Mount Vernon Square in Washington, the society occupies a Beaux-Arts building funded by Andrew Carnegie in 1902, originally used as the District of Columbia Public Library. The former library building is open to the public from Monday through Sunday 10am to 5pm. Visitors are welcome to tour current exhibits and use the society's library.
context_section_description: In 2006, the Society and the National Music Center entered into an agreement that permitted the Music Center to occupy a substantial portion of the Carnegie Library for three years.
  The Carnegie Library houses the Society's research library, rotating exhibits, and offices. Ninety percent of the Society's historic collections, which include artworks, documents, maps, objects, and over 100,000 photographs, are stored on-site. A permanent exhibition, Window to Washington, now traces the development of the District's built environment and serves as an introduction to the Society's collections. The Society also provides research workshops to students and community groups, including D.C. Public Charter Schools and universities.
  In 2017 the Historical Society moved to a temporary location to facilitate renovation of the Carnegie Library Building. The renovated building reopened on May 11, 2019. The Historical Society now shares space in the building with an Apple Store.
caption: Carnegie Library in 2019.
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