Library of Congress Main Reading Room Tops List of
Most Endangered Places in Washington, DC!
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Library of Congress Main Reading Room. Photographs in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. | |
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A rendering of the proposed oculus looking into the Library of Congress main reading room. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call), April 1, 2019
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The Library of Congress is one of the jewels of our Nation's democracy and one of the grandest buildings in Washington, DC, and the Nation. The interior spaces of the Jefferson Building, including the Main Reading Room, are especially remarkable and are indicative of the monumental civic buildings constructed around the turn of the 20th century.
In 2019, the Library of Congress unveiled an initiative to "transform the visitor experience," a proposal that would dramatically alter the historic Main Reading Room – adding a modern observation area that puts the needs of tourists and visitors above those of researchers who regularly use the Library.
The April 8, 2022, Whistleblower Complaint filed by retired LOC Librarian Thomas Mann with Kimberly Byrd, Inspector General, Library of Congress, states that the Librarian's "oculus proposal" calls for two major changes in the Library's historic Main Reading Room area that would radically alter its original architecture in terms of its view, its function, and its spatial relationships:
- the complete removal of its historic Center Desk, to be replaced by a circular window in the floor ("the oculus") so that tourists below could look up through it at the Reading Room's dome; and
- the re-purposing of the Control Room directly below it and currently linked to it (for book delivery) by both a dumbwaiter and a stairway; this area is crucial for the efficient delivery of books, via the Desk directly above, to researchers in the Main Reading Room. She intends to transform this area into a tourist-centered "Orientation Center" with museum-type display cases containing Thomas Jefferson's books.
DCPL asserts that the Central Circulation Desk is not just a piece of furniture – it was specifically designed and installed in 1897 as the sculptural and functional heart of the Reading Room. The Desk retains all seven aspects of integrity that preservation and design professionals look to when studying proposed modifications of historic fabric. These include location, setting, design, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. Removal of the Desk would eviscerate the central character-defining feature and fundamentally alter the spacial relationship that was carefully crafted and designed for this important space.
The insertion of an oculus in place of the Central Circulation Desk would further desecrate the Reading Room's character and function, which was designed to facilitate scholarly research. This ill-advised alteration would remove in-tact and irreplaceable historic fabric to establish a viewing hole for visitors below. It will also re-purpose the Control Room into an "Orientation Center" of museum display cases for visitors, which will negate its historic function that enables book deliveries to researchers directly above.
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Artist renderings from February 13, 2020 LOC Article show concepts for three core components that are central to the visitor experience plan.(Pure + Applied, Library of Congress) | |
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These alterations proposed to the historic Reading Room are unnecessary interventions in this much-loved National Historic Landmark that will fundamentally compromise the design intent and function that researchers and visitors have experienced and enjoyed for more than 125 years.
The responsibility for oversight falls to the Architect of the Capitol with a mission to Serve, Preserve, and Inspire. Preserving the Main Reading Room at the Library of Congress should be one of the AOC’s top priorities.
DCPL calls on Congress, the Architect of the Capitol, and the public to vehemently oppose these ill-advised alterations that place the needs of some above the needs of all. Improving visitor experiences is a laudable goal but should not be done to the detriment of the Thomas Jefferson Building, its library staff, and its researchers. DCPL stands ready to work with the LOC to meet its visitation goals while preserving the history and integrity of its magnificent public building.
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Alexander Crummell School
1900 Gallaudet Street NE
Date of Construction: 1911
Architect: Snowden Ashford (Municipal Architect)
DC Inventory: 2002 | National Register: 2003
Although historically designated, this center of the Ivy City neighborhood has continued to deteriorate since the school's closure in 1972. In 2021, the DC Government appropriated $20 million to repurpose the property into a much-desired community and recreation center that would serve residents. However, continued advocacy is needed to make this plan a reality.
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Foundry Branch Trolley Trestle
Glover-Archbold Park
near Foxhall and Canal roads NW
Date of Construction: 1896
Contributing resource within Glover-Archbold Park
Received by WMATA in a court settlement in the 1990s, the only extant trolley trestle in the District is in a severe state of decay and has lost structural integrity due to a lack of maintenance by the transit agency. Despite studies on utilizing the trestle as a pedestrian and bicycle connection between Foxhall Road and Prospect Street, WMATA is seeking to demolish the historic structure. DCPL is fighting the city's decision to approve the raze permit in the DC Court of Appeals and participating in the ongoing Section 106 review being conducted by the National Park Service.
DCPL is fighting for the bridge to be restored to provide access for local bicyclists and pedestrians – including the many students who walk to the numerous nearby schools in Georgetown and The Palisades.
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Northwest Savings Bank (Truist Bank)
1801 Adams Mill Road NW
Date of Construction: 1900
Architect: Clarence L. Harding
Not historically designated
This iconic bank building at the northeast corner of 18th Street and Columbia Road NW is not currently protected under the DC Historic Preservation Act. Development pressure in this neighborhood could put this building at risk for demolition or inappropriate alteration. This important bank building, with its distinctive clock and curved façade, should be designated a DC Landmark and be retained as part of any future redevelopment at this major intersection.
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Anderson Tire Manufacturing Company/Carroll Laundry Smokestack
1701 14th Street SE
Date of Construction: 1916 | Architect: Samuel & Wilbert J. Austin (The Austin Co.)
Pending historic landmark nomination
Manufacturing is not often associated with the Nation's capital, but this particular property speaks to the city's once important sector. DCPL first submitted a landmark nomination for this industrial complex in 2015, and will encourage sensitive redevelopment of this unique building type, and its iconic smoke stack.
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Anne Archbold Hall
(Gallinger Hospital Nurses' Residence)
19th Street and Massachusetts Avenue SE
Date of Construction: 1932
Architect: Office of the Municipal Architect
DC Inventory: 2006
In recent years, the Hill East neighborhood has become a major focal point of redevelopment. Despite Anne Archbold Hall's historic designation, this property's history and character-defining features must be protected and incorporated into any future redevelopment at the site.
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Barry Farm Frame Houses
2638-40 Stanton Road SE
Date of Construction: 1904
Architect: Unknown
Not historically designated
The Barry Farm neighborhood has a rich history and culture stretching back to its founding after the Civil War, and these two homes illustrate this heritage. In a city of brick, stone, and concrete construction, wood frame structures are rare and should be protected. Unfortunately, these residences on Stanton Road SE are not individually landmarked nor within the boundaries of the Anacostia Historic District, which was expanded in late-2021.
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District of Columbia Recorder of Deeds
515 D Street NW
Date of Construction: 1943
Architect: Nathan C. Wyeth (Municipal Architect)
DC Inventory: 2019
This civic building, designed in the Stripped Classical style popular at the time of its construction, has been largely vacant since 2008 when the Recorder of Deeds moved to a new location. Despite a new roof, the building still suffers from a lack of investment by the DC Government and continues to deteriorate – as the stone masonry cladding illustrates. This vacancy is even more alarming, as the building is one of only a handful of properties in the District with a historically designated interior, thanks to its 1940s-era murals.
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Folger Shakespeare Library Addition
(Bond Reading Room)
201 East Capitol Street SE
Date of Construction: 1983
Architect: Hartman-Cox Architects
Not historically designated
This 1983 addition, designed by Hartman-Cox Architects, seamlessly connects to the landmark 1932 building – designed by master architect Paul Philippe Cret. Notably, the interior of the Cret building was designated in 2018. DCPL advocates extending this designation to the exterior and interior of the Hartmax-Cox addition as a significant Postmodern structure in the District of Columbia.
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Lord & Taylor, Chevy Chase Branch Store
5255 Western Avenue NW
Date of Construction: 1959
Architect: William Snaith (Raymond Loewy Corporation)
Pending historic landmark nomination
This longtime Lord & Taylor location is very much emblematic of its time – thanks to its sleek and classic design by William Snaith of the revered Raymond Lowey Corporation. It is also a representative example of the growth in suburban retailers following World War II, as department stores were moving out of Downtown Washington to the metropolitan area's suburbs. DCPL is advocating to have this recently vacated building preserved and redeveloped for a new use that will benefit the District of Columbia.
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Marist Hall (The Catholic University)
405 Fort Slemmer Drive NE
Date of Construction: 1899
Architect: A.O. Von Herbulis
Not historically designated
The August 2011 earthquake caused structural damage to many buildings and structures throughout the region – most famously, the Washington Monument and National Cathedral. Marist Hall, on the campus of The Catholic University, was one of the buildings that sustained damage from this seismic event. In more recent years, the stone and red brick masonry building has been vacated and is now in a state of deterioration. Its long-term structural integrity is concerning to DCPL.
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Mount Zion/Female Union Band Cemeteries
Between 27th Street NW and
Rock Creek Parkway
First Burials: 1808
DC Inventory: 1975 | National Register: 1975
Georgetown Historic District
For many years, this remarkable African American cemetery in the Georgetown Historic District has suffered from a lack of resources, as many Washingtonians are unaware of its existence and importance. This has been especially true in recent years, as pedestrians and bicyclists have cut through the cemetery to avoid construction on the Rock Creek Park trail, further disturbing the archaeological significance of this burial ground.
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Watchman's Lodge and Tower
Donaldson Place NW (Fort Reno Park)
Date of Construction: 1904
Architect: Wood, Donn, and Deming
Within Fort Circle Parks Historic District
DC Inventory: 1964, 1973 (amended)
National Register: 1974
Fort Reno Park is a landscape with many layers of history, from the Civil War fortification to the one-time African American settlement of Reno City, to its water infrastructure and use by local Tenleytown residents as a recreational spot. The Watchman's Lodge and Tower are just two structures within this landscape. Despite being within a historic district (Fort Circle Parks), DCPL is concerned about the deterioration of the structures and lack of investment planned in future years.
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James Sherwood Farmhouse
1400 Shepherd Street NE
Date of Construction: 1886 | Built by James Sherwood
Pending historic landmark nomination (including Holy Name College)
Constructed in 1886, this once-remote farmhouse was eventually incorporated into the grounds of Holy Name College and later as Howard University's Divinity School. Like the adjacent Mays Hall, the Queen-Anne-style farmhouse has suffered neglect and a lack of investment. Luckily, the building's owner, Howard University, has committed to stabilizing the property so that it can be restored in the coming years. DCPL looks forward to continuing to work with the University on bringing the building back to productive use and no longer a blight on its community.
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Washington Canoe Club
3700 Water Street NW
Date of Construction: 1904
Architect: Unknown
DC Inventory: 1973 | National Register: 1991
Georgetown Historic District
Although still in use by canoers, kayakers, and paddle boarders, this distinctive green, shingle style building needs ongoing maintenance and complete restoration. The Washington Canoe Club (WCC) is one of the important landmarks along the Potomac River and speaks to the longtime importance of the river to the city's character and the recreational activities of residents. DCPL will continue to work with the WCC Members to bring awareness to their fundraising efforts to rehabilitate this important structure.
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Superintendent's House at Dalecarlia Reservoir
5211 Little Falls Road NW
Date of Construction: 1875
Architect: Montgomery C. Meigs
Washington Aqueduct Historic Designation
DC Inventory: 1979 | National Register: 1973 National Historic Landmark: 1973
This lodge-like building at Dalecarlia Reservoir is just one of the many buildings that support the Washington Aqueduct. This engineering marvel is still in use and listed as a National Historic Landmark. Unfortunately, the building has deteriorated, but it is unclear what the extent of the decay is, considering the site is not open to the public. DCPL is most concerned about demolition by neglect.
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Jackson Hill (Holt House)
3001 Connecticut Avenue NW (on the grounds of the National Zoo)
Date of Construction: 1827
Architect: Unknown
DC Inventory: 1964 | National Register: 1973
Dating to the 1820s, this house is one of the older residential buildings found in the District – particularly outside of Georgetown. It was constructed when this was a rural landscape within Washington County, the one-time area of the District that surrounded the City of Washington. Sadly, the home is in a state of deterioration, despite being on the grounds of the Smithsonian's National Zoo. The house is not accessible to the public, so it is unclear how severe the property's deterioration is.
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Western Bus Garage
5230 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Date of Construction: 1934
Architect: Arthur B. Heaton
Pending historic landmark nomination
This vast, brick-masonry bus garage was designed by the prolific local architect Arthur B. Heaton and is a visual reminder of DC's storied transportation history. As a planned redevelopment of Friendship Heights moves forward and adds much-needed density to the neighborhood, DCPL seeks to have this important transportation center fully protected and redeveloped the community can be proud of.
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Woodlawn Cemetery
4611 Benning Road SE
Established: 1895
DC Inventory: 1991 | National Register: 1996
This remarkable rural cemetery just southeast of the Anacostia River is the final resting place for many significant individuals, particularly from Washington's African American community. The cemetery has been in a state of deterioration for decades, and needs to be restored and then regularly maintained so that the many individuals will not be forgotten.
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About the Most Endangered List | |
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Beginning in 1996, the DC Preservation League has announced a list of Most Endangered Places to draw attention to Washington, DC’s, historically, culturally, and architecturally significant places that may be threatened with ill-advised alteration or demolition through neglect or abandonment.
The formerly annual list is now a single ongoing compilation of threatened structures in Washington.
DCPL solicits nominations for its ongoing list from individuals and organizations. DCPL’s landmarks committee evaluates the nominations and advises the Board of Trustees on their inclusion on the list. In many cases, a task force is created to raise awareness and develop possible preservation solutions for the endangered resource.
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- Reach out to your local leaders (ANC, Councilmember, Agency Head) about these properties!
- Raise awareness in your community by sharing this list.
- Testify at public hearings.
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