Event Recap: Historic Preservation 101 Panel

One week ago, the Cleveland Park Historical Society hosted Historic Preservation 101 at the Cleveland Park Library, an engaging panel discussion designed to demystify the preservation process and highlight its importance in our neighborhood.

The panel featured experts in architecture, planning, and community history, who walked the audience through the basics: what historic preservation is, how it protects the unique character of our neighborhood, and what role residents can play.

Sarah Vonesh from EHT Traceries opened with fascinating topographical maps and photographs showing key stages in the evolution of the neighborhood’s built environment. Building on that history, Zachary Burt from the DC Preservation League highlighted milestones in the preservation movement and explained how historic districts are designated, emphasizing the importance of local laws and ordinances. Next, Todd Jones from the Historic Preservation Office at the DC Office of Planning walked the audience through the review process for alterations and new construction (often less complicated than it seems!) and pointed to resources available to homeowners navigating preservation guidelines. Rounding out the panel, Joel Lawson from the DC Office of Planning explained how zoning regulations overlap with the Historic Preservation Review Board, offering a brief overview of current zoning and text amendment cases.

A lively Q&A followed, where attendees raised thoughtful questions from paint colors in the neighborhood to the balance between modernization and preservation. Panelists emphasized that historic preservation is not about “freezing” the neighborhood in time but about managing change thoughtfully, in ways that respect Cleveland Park’s architectural heritage while accommodating contemporary needs. We are grateful to our panelists for sharing their expertise and to the many community members who joined us. If you couldn’t attend, stay tuned— we plan to host similar programs in the future.