A Community
Exploring Its Past
While most Americans probably think of Capitol Hill simply as the site of the U.S.
Capitol, those who live here know it as an old and thriving residential neighborhood,
a small town within a large city. The Overbeck Project captures the history of this
community by recording the recollections of its longtime residents and preserving other
records of its fascinating past.
Transcripts of recent interviews collected by
our volunteers are posted on this site, along with other historical background. We’ve
also launched a highly successful lecture series exploring
our city’s history.
We urge you too to get involved in this exciting effort,
sponsored by the Capitol Hill Community Foundation.test
Recent Additions:
Helen Atkins, who celebrated her 100th birthday on Valentines Day, 2008, arrived in Washington with her widowed father during World War I. She moved to Capitol Hill after her 1935 marriage and remained here until recent years. Her 2005 interview with Pat Taffe Driscoll includes her fond memories of people in her life, stories about her experiences as a student and teacher in Washington, and a description of her participation in the amateur acting troupe the Krigwa Players.
Madonna McCullers moved to the Hill in 1950, where she balanced keeping house for her family with opening and operating her own beauty shop on Massachusetts Avenue. In this May, 2005 interview conducted by Ev Barnes, Ms. McCullers discusses her experiences on the Hill. She shares not only the dispiriting effects of segregration in Washington but her joy in renovating her house, participating in the local religious community, and helping other women pursue cosmetology careers
John Overbeck, who may be related to project namesake Ruth Ann Overbeck, arrived in Washington in 1957 for a job at the Library of Congress. After renting two apartments in the blocks now occupied by the library’s Madison Building, he became a homeowner on Ninth Street SE; since 1968, he has resided in the 600 block of A Street SE. In his 2003 interview with Brendan Danaher, he reminsces about early neighbors, activities at St. Mark’s Church, watching transitions in the neighborhood, and his home’s two appearances on the annual House and Garden tour, 30 years apart.
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