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

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

2024-09-23 15:00:00 2024-09-23 16:00:00 America/New_York 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 Connie Morella Library -

Monday, September 23
3:00pm - 4:00pm

Add to Calendar 2024-09-23 15:00:00 2024-09-23 16:00:00 America/New_York 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 Connie Morella Library -

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.

AGE GROUP: | Older Adults | Adult |

EVENT TYPE: | Meet the Author | Lectures and Discussions |

TAGS: | In Person | adult |

Connie Morella Library

Phone: 240-777-0970

Hours
We're closed Monday October 14 due to Staff development
Mon, Oct 14 Closed
(Staff development )
Tue, Oct 15 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Oct 16 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Oct 17 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Oct 18 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Oct 19 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Oct 20 10:00AM to 6:00PM

Upcoming Events

Tue, Oct 15, 10:30am - 11:00am

Tue, Oct 15, 11:15am - 11:45am

Wed, Oct 16, 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Wed, Oct 16, 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Tue, Oct 22, 10:30am - 11:00am

Tue, Oct 22, 11:15am - 11:45am

Tue, Oct 22, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Wed, Oct 23, 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Tue, Oct 29, 10:30am - 2:30pm

Tue, Oct 29, 10:30am - 11:00am

Tue, Oct 29, 11:15am - 11:45am

Wed, Oct 30, 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Wed, Oct 30, 6:30pm - 7:00pm

Thu, Oct 31, 4:00pm - 8:00pm

Sat, Nov 02, 10:30am - 11:00am

Sat, Nov 02, 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Wed, Nov 06, 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Tue, Nov 12, 10:30am - 11:00am

Tue, Nov 12, 11:15am - 11:45am

Wed, Nov 13, 4:00pm - 5:00pm