Visiting Historic Capitol Hill is, at least on the surface, akin to stepping back in time. Home to the nation’s enduring corridors of power and politics, this iconic quarter, with its architectural grandeur, colorful rowhouses, cobblestone streets, and boundless energy, is perhaps one of the finest examples of an American neighborhood in which past and present collide in seamless and spectacular harmony. From its renowned political landmarks to its thriving contemporary restaurant and bar scene, Historic Capitol Hill invites visitors to experience a rare commingling of classic charm, hipster chic and timeless allure.
On the historical side of things, it would be nigh on impossible to embark on an exploration of Capitol Hill without first highlighting the neighborhood’s hallmark institutions — of which there are many. While the magisterial Supreme Court Building, with its magnificent Corinthian columns and neoclassical design, occupies pride of place in this historic neighborhood, just across the street sits the equally impressive Library of Congress, which is comprised of three buildings, including the Thomas Jefferson Building, a masterpiece of Beaux-Arts architecture renowned for its stunning and grandiose Great Hall. The nation’s oldest federal cultural institution, the Library of Congress is as notable for its impressive reading rooms as it is for its status as the world’s largest library complete with an unparalleled collection of books, manuscripts, and historical artifacts.
For literary buffs, the Folger Shakespeare Library is yet another hidden gem tucked away in Historic Capitol Hill. Dedicated to the study and appreciation of William Shakespeare and his works, the library houses the world’s largest collection of Shakespearean materials, including rare books and manuscripts. Meanwhile, the Capitol Hill Baptist Church, with its historic red-brick facade and towering steeple, has been a spiritual cornerstone of the neighborhood since its founding in 1878.
Beyond the acres of marble and granite monuments that dominate Capitol Hill, however, there is another side to this renowned corner of America’s capital city. While legendary institutions like the venerable Old Ebbitt Grill, Washington’s oldest saloon which first opened its doors in 1856, The Monocle, a go-to lunch or dinner spot for local politicians and lobbyists alike since the 1960s, and Martin’s Tavern, where John F. Kennedy purportedly proposed to the future Jacqueline Onassis, continue to thrive, a new wave of hotspots are becoming local institutions in their own right after having staked their claim in Capitol Hill.
As minimalist, independent coffeehouses like Compass Coffee and Peregrine Espresso regularly pack in an overflow crowd of caffeine-addicted fans with artisanal brews, vintage stores like Clothes Encounter DC and the quirky DC-based brand, Relume, draw an eclectic swarm of shopaholics in search of singular, rare and fabulous items not to be found elsewhere in the city. Similarly, the esteemed Capitol Hill Books, with its three floors chock full of used and rare books, as well as first editions, attracts a literate following that includes everyone from scholars and collectors to casual bookworms who still have a fondness for print in an increasingly digital world. The aforementioned, taken as whole, are emblematic of the scene that lends a hipster ethos to this stalwart community.
Likewise, Eastern Market, established in 1873 as a town center of sorts, is today the hipster heartbeat of Capitol Hill. A bustling hub of activity, filled with vendors selling meats, poultry, seafood, baked goods, flowers, handcrafted goods and artisanal cheeses throughout the week, the venue evinces a particularly rousing air on weekends when the streets and plazas surrounding it teem with all manner of vendors ranging from farmers and food trucks to local artists and jewelry designers from across the region.
At its heart, Historic Capitol Hill is more than just a neighborhood; it’s a living testament to America’s past, present, and future. Steeped in history, but firmly moored in the present, it is a place where, in spite of the fact that every brick holds a story, every corner whispers secrets, and every sip connects you to the past, the lively drumbeat of modernity thunders on in perfect time with the tune of all that has come before it.