Most Endangered Places in D.C.

The D.C. Preservation League has announced annually a list of the Most Endangered Places in Washington, D.C. since 1996.

It does so in order to draw attention to historically, culturally, and archetecturally signifant places which are threatened by what it deems to be ill-advised alterations or demolition due to neglect or abandonment.

The 2010 list includes Anne Archibald Hall, the District of Columbia Historic Firehouses, the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, and several buildings in the Anacostia Historic District.

The Anne Archibald Hall, on 19th Street and Massachusettes Ave NW, was nominated by the Capitol Hill Restoration Society. It was constructed in 1931/1932 and was the Nurses' Residence for Gallinger Municipal Hospital (later renamed DC General Hospital) which served the area's poor. The U-Shaped brick structure with limestone trim is the last intact example the hospitals Colonial Revival buildings. It was successfully nominated to the DC Inventory of Historic Sites in 2006 in response to a redevelopment plan that called for the removal of all hospital buildings. Since that time rehabilitation of the Hall ceased to materialize and it now suffers from deferred maintenance and water damage. Unless the District government takes to secure and stabalize the building, it's potential role in any future redevelopment plans for Reservation 13 could be compromised. The building was renamed Anne Archibald Hall in 1952 in honor of the local philanthropist and advocate for the hospital's nurses and patients.

The District of Columia Historic Firehouses were nominated by Sally Berk and D. Peter Sefton. The designers of these buildings include Leon Dessez, the firms of Wood, Donn, and Deming, and Hornblower and Marshall, as well as the Office of the Municipal Architecture. These structures, like Engine Company 22 on Georgia Ave NW, have been in use for over 100 years. They are victims of long-term neglect, delayed rehabilitation, and ill-advised alterations, and threatened by unsympathetic modernization plans. The DCPL would like to focus attention on these important works of public architecture and ward off complacent assumptions that designated landmarks are too self-evidently significant to be remodeled or are invulnerable from neglect or harm.

The Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, at 1518 M. Street NW, was self-nominated. It is home to D.C.'s oldest African Methodist Episcopal congregation. The Gothic style brick building, designed by Samuel G.T. Morsell, has been a bastian of civil and human rights since it's dedication in 1886 and was rooted in opposition to slavery and the belief that African Americans are entitled to equality. Frederick Douglass's funeral service was held at the church. The building is in need of extensive repairs and renovation. The exterior walls suffer from cracks and water infiltration and outdated mechanical systems are taxing the already limited financial resources of the congregation. The DCPL aims to marshal the expertise and resources of the preservation community needed to assist the congregation.

The buildings nominated by the Historic Anacostia Block Association and David Gerber include 2228, 2234, and 2238 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE as well as 2253 Mount View Pl SE. These structures date back to the turn of the 20th century. They are currently in very poor condition and several are for sale which could lead to demolition in order to make room for commercial use. The DCPL and HABA hope to team with the current owners in order to stabalize these structures, provide basic maintenance, and return them to properties of productive use.

The mission of the D.C. Preservation League is to preserve, protect, and enhance the historic and built environment of Washington D.C. through advocacy and education.