As the nation’s capital, Washington, DC is home to many monuments and memorials honoring individuals and events of national significance. But the District is also a city of neighborhoods and residents, with a local history of people, places and events deserving their own commemoration. Local commemorative works can tell our stories in parks and plazas, along streets and avenues, and in our public buildings. A successful commemorative work can create a better understanding of the past, define District neighborhoods, and contribute to the daily-life experiences of District residents.

Underlying values that guide the work of the District’s Commemorative Works Program include:

• Affirm our civic identity by recognizing and educating residents about our local history – a history that includes people of all races and genders, and events both well-known and forgotten;
• Listen to residents to understand what the people, places, events and ideas they think should be commemorated;
• In addition to traditional commemorative works, explore diverse and innovative ways to celebrate our community’s past, such as creative placemaking, temporary events, public art installations, and community celebrations;
• Through thoughtful community planning and engagement, encourage commemorative works in places that have the greatest connection and meaning for both the object of commemoration and the potential audience;
• Coordinate with other events, initiatives and projects, such as federal commemoration efforts (NCPC’s Museum and Memorial Master Plan), DC’s Cultural Plan objectives, and various District initiatives

We Want to Hear from You:

Do you have an idea for a person(s), place, idea or event that should be commemorated in the District of Columbia? Send an email describing the subject and why to: [email protected]. The District currently does not have a formal program or agency dedicated to creating commemorative works, but the Office of Planning is collecting ideas that can help us understand the types of people, places, and events that are important to residents. Your ideas can help inform future efforts to expand the District’s commemorative works program.

Are you an organization interested in formally proposing and/or sponsoring a commemorative work in the District of Columbia? You can download a copy of the commemorative works application here.

For More Information:

For more information, contact Zhetique Gunn at (202) 442-7620 or by email at [email protected].