Meet the Author: Kim Williams, Hidden Alleyways of Washington, DC

Meet local author and architectural historian Kim Williams, as she discusses her 2023 book, Hidden Alleyways of Washington, DC: a History

Alleyways in Washington, DC, have always been a fundamental part of the city's life and economy. Deliberately hidden from public view by the capital's early planners, DC's alleys were created to provide access to stables, carriage houses, and other utility buildings. But as the city grew and property values rose, the nature of some alleys and their buildings changed, resulting in a parallel world of residential, manufacturing, and artistic spaces. Kim Prothro Williams reveals this world in a fascinating and richly illustrated history.

In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the city's inhabited alleys were often unsanitary spaces that were home to its poorest residents. These conditions spurred Progressive Era campaigns to demolish alley dwellings, which in turn led to the displacement of minority and disadvantaged communities. Today, many remaining alleyways, with their intimately scaled buildings, have been transformed into vibrant commercial and residential spaces. Yet this new wave of development raises questions about how spaces that were once reserved for the city's poorest residents now cater to the wealthy.

Kim Prothro Williams is an architectural historian with expertise in our region’s historic places.  She is the National Register Coordinator at the WDC Historic Preservation office and has written numerous articles and 3 books on this topic. Join us to hear Williams colorfully explain why she is passionate about what we can learn from our history via an exploration of historic landmarks.  

Co-sponsored by Bethesda Metro Area Village. BMAV is a volunteer-driven neighborhood nonprofit that works to build community connections among neighbors through social engagement and recruiting volunteers to help one another. Check out www.bmavillage.org for more information.

Questions about this program? Call the branch at 240-777-0970.

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

Upcoming Events