2021 was another successful year for historic preservation in DC. In February, Colony Hill became the District’s 37th neighborhood historic district (with its own design guidelines), while in October, the long-standing Anacostia Historic District was expanded for the first time since its designation in 1978. The Anacostia Historic District Boundary Expansion was submitted by DCPL, Historic Anacostia Block Association, and Historic Anacostia Preservation Society.

The DCPL and owner-submitted landmark nomination for the Bazelon-McGovern House, a Mid-Century Modern home with Japanese stylistic elements in the Palisades, was approved in February. In September, two DCPL initiatives were considered and approved by the HPRB. The African American Civil Rights Multiple Property Document was adopted, and Lucy Diggs Slowe Elementary School in Brookland was historically designated. Throughout the year, these other properties were also officially added to DC’s Inventory of Historic Sites: Thomas Jefferson Junior High School (January), Episcopal Home for Children (February), Southeast Branch Library (March), Twelfth Precinct Station House (May), Coolidge High School (September), and The Hampshire Apartments (December).