Upcoming Events
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Watch here for Fall Winter 2023/2024 events.
Past Events
Watch Kim Williams' Chat here
Mid-Century Modern Residences in Washington, DC:
One-offs and the making of community
Kim Prothro Williams, Architectural Historian
Sunday, March 26, 4 pm, MVUC Sanctuary
Reception following
Kim Williams describes a study cataloging Mid-century Modern residences in DC with the intent of identifying and saving as many MCM residences as possible. The purpose of study is to identify significant residences and then evaluate for preservation and designation, according to Williams. The study initially covers only residences because they are the most endangered.
Williams takes us through the development of Mid-century Modern buildings in the DC area, highlighting the influence of African American homeowners, architects and contractors in the MCM movement and the importance of the Howard University School of Architecture and Engineering led by Howard Mackey.
While many mid-century modern residences in D.C. were custom houses designed by local and nationally known architects and commissioned by individuals of a certain stature and financial means, other residences were speculative ventures intended for a broader clientele. Small clusters of modern dwellings can be found tucked into their suburban neighborhoods that were otherwise characterized by a varied collection of Revival style traditional dwelling forms. Many of these mid-century communities were shaped by the city’s Black residents, who once they were able to, left the center city for the growing suburbs, bringing a more modern aesthetic design culture with them. WIlliams highlighted mid-century houses and communities in D.C.
Kim Prothro Williams is an architectural historian and author who has been researching and writing about historic places and communities in and around D.C. for the past 30 years. For the past 15 years, Kim has served as the National Register Coordinator at the D.C. Historic Preservation Office where her primary focus is to research, evaluate and document properties for listing in the National Register. In that process, she has studied a diverse range of buildings and communities and has developed a particular interest in the history of planning and the evolution of place. She enjoys discovering physical remnants of the past that reveal the transformation of their environments and that contribute to telling the stories behind the making of place. Kim is the published author of many neighborhood history and heritage trail brochures, websites, blog posts and articles dealing with the built environment and is the author of several books, including Lost Farms and Estates of Washington, DC (The History Press, 2018), A Pride of Place: Rural Residences of Fauquier County, Virginia (University of Virginia Press, 2003), and Chevy Chase: A Home Suburb for the Nation’s Capital (Maryland Historical Trust, 1998). Kim’s talk will focus on her on-going survey and research into mid-century residential design in Washington, D.C.
Mid-Century Modern Residences in Washington, DC:
One-offs and the making of community
Kim Prothro Williams, Architectural Historian
Sunday, March 26, 4 pm, MVUC Sanctuary
Reception following
Kim Williams describes a study cataloging Mid-century Modern residences in DC with the intent of identifying and saving as many MCM residences as possible. The purpose of study is to identify significant residences and then evaluate for preservation and designation, according to Williams. The study initially covers only residences because they are the most endangered.
Williams takes us through the development of Mid-century Modern buildings in the DC area, highlighting the influence of African American homeowners, architects and contractors in the MCM movement and the importance of the Howard University School of Architecture and Engineering led by Howard Mackey.
While many mid-century modern residences in D.C. were custom houses designed by local and nationally known architects and commissioned by individuals of a certain stature and financial means, other residences were speculative ventures intended for a broader clientele. Small clusters of modern dwellings can be found tucked into their suburban neighborhoods that were otherwise characterized by a varied collection of Revival style traditional dwelling forms. Many of these mid-century communities were shaped by the city’s Black residents, who once they were able to, left the center city for the growing suburbs, bringing a more modern aesthetic design culture with them. WIlliams highlighted mid-century houses and communities in D.C.
Kim Prothro Williams is an architectural historian and author who has been researching and writing about historic places and communities in and around D.C. for the past 30 years. For the past 15 years, Kim has served as the National Register Coordinator at the D.C. Historic Preservation Office where her primary focus is to research, evaluate and document properties for listing in the National Register. In that process, she has studied a diverse range of buildings and communities and has developed a particular interest in the history of planning and the evolution of place. She enjoys discovering physical remnants of the past that reveal the transformation of their environments and that contribute to telling the stories behind the making of place. Kim is the published author of many neighborhood history and heritage trail brochures, websites, blog posts and articles dealing with the built environment and is the author of several books, including Lost Farms and Estates of Washington, DC (The History Press, 2018), A Pride of Place: Rural Residences of Fauquier County, Virginia (University of Virginia Press, 2003), and Chevy Chase: A Home Suburb for the Nation’s Capital (Maryland Historical Trust, 1998). Kim’s talk will focus on her on-going survey and research into mid-century residential design in Washington, D.C.
Nature's Best Hope:
Doug Tallamy offers advice on how we can restore biodiversity
Sunday, February 26, 2003
VIDEO OF EVENT available on Friends of Hollin Hills' YouTube Channel. To access, click here.
Doug Tallamy offers advice on how we can restore biodiversity
Sunday, February 26, 2003
VIDEO OF EVENT available on Friends of Hollin Hills' YouTube Channel. To access, click here.
Doug Tallamy, a leading expert on the importance of native plants in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health, riveted 200 attendees with stories of his research and advocacy work highlighting the crucial role that native plants play in supporting pollinators, birds, and other wildlife and the many benefits they provide to human communities. Doug Tallamy, one of the most respected voices in the field, led us to a deeper understanding of the many ways that native plants can help to create a healthier, more sustainable world.
Global insect declines and 3,000,000,000 fewer birds in North American are a bleak reality check about how ineffective our current landscape designs have been at sustaining the plants and animals that sustain us. To create landscapes that enhance local ecosystems rather than degrade them, we must 1) remove invasives and 2) add native plant communities that sustain food webs, sequester carbon, maintain diverse native bee communities and manage our watersheds.
If we do this in half the area now in lawn, we can create Homegrown National Park, a network of viable habitats throughout the US that will provide vital corridors connecting the natural areas that remain. This approach to conservation empowers everyone to play a significant role in the future of the natural world. It is also enormously satisfying and restorative for those who act.
Doug Tallamy, the T. A. Baker Professor of Agriculture in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, has authored 111 research publications and taught insect related courses for 41 years. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities. His books include Bringing Nature Home, The Living Landscape, co-authored with Rick Darke, Nature's Best Hope, a New York Time’s bestseller and The Nature of Oaks, a winner of the American Horticultural Society's 2022 book award. In 2021 he co-founded Homegrown National Park with Michelle Alfandari. His awards include recognition from The Garden Writer's Association, Audubon, The National Wildlife Federation, Allegheny College, Ecoforesters, The Garden Club of America and The American Horticultural association.
Global insect declines and 3,000,000,000 fewer birds in North American are a bleak reality check about how ineffective our current landscape designs have been at sustaining the plants and animals that sustain us. To create landscapes that enhance local ecosystems rather than degrade them, we must 1) remove invasives and 2) add native plant communities that sustain food webs, sequester carbon, maintain diverse native bee communities and manage our watersheds.
If we do this in half the area now in lawn, we can create Homegrown National Park, a network of viable habitats throughout the US that will provide vital corridors connecting the natural areas that remain. This approach to conservation empowers everyone to play a significant role in the future of the natural world. It is also enormously satisfying and restorative for those who act.
Doug Tallamy, the T. A. Baker Professor of Agriculture in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, has authored 111 research publications and taught insect related courses for 41 years. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities. His books include Bringing Nature Home, The Living Landscape, co-authored with Rick Darke, Nature's Best Hope, a New York Time’s bestseller and The Nature of Oaks, a winner of the American Horticultural Society's 2022 book award. In 2021 he co-founded Homegrown National Park with Michelle Alfandari. His awards include recognition from The Garden Writer's Association, Audubon, The National Wildlife Federation, Allegheny College, Ecoforesters, The Garden Club of America and The American Horticultural association.
A Chat With Friends: Meet the DRC
Sunday, November 13, 4 pm via Zoom
Barbara Ward, Hollin Hills DRC (Design Review Committee), Convenor
Find out more about how you can get the most out of working with the DRC? Pose your own questions about anything from fences to planned renovations to members of the DRC. DRC Board members Blair Davenport, Harris Lokmanhakim, Jane Pearson and Robin Roberts discuss DRC requirements, respond to questions about how to bring a design to the board, how interaction with the DRC can benefit home owners and respond to homeowner's questions ranging from solving maintenance problems to sourcing materials
The ARB: Why do we have it? How do we negotiate it? What are the benefits?
Barbara Ward, Hollin Hills DRC (Design Review Committee), Convenor
Find out more about how you can get the most out of working with the DRC? Pose your own questions about anything from fences to planned renovations to members of the DRC. DRC Board members Blair Davenport, Harris Lokmanhakim, Jane Pearson and Robin Roberts discuss DRC requirements, respond to questions about how to bring a design to the board, how interaction with the DRC can benefit home owners and respond to homeowner's questions ranging from solving maintenance problems to sourcing materials
The ARB: Why do we have it? How do we negotiate it? What are the benefits?
John A. Burns, well known architectural preservationist and Fairfax County Architectural Review Board (ARB) Past Chair and current member
Introduction by Barbara Ward, Hollin Hills Design Review Committee chair and Friends of Hollin Hills Board member
John Burns, a longtime Hollin Hills neighbor and member of the Fairfax County Architectural Review Board, discussed the ARB review process and how best to navigate it. What is it? How does it work with homeowners and the Hollin Hills Design Review Committee? How does it benefit the community?
Burns has served on the Fairfax County Architectural Review Board (ARB) since 1995, including several times as its chairman and has also served multiple times on the Hollin Hills Design Review Committee. He earned a Bachelor of Architecture and a BA in Art/Architectural History at Penn State.
Burns has lectured and written extensively on preservation topics, and co-authored Yesterday’s Houses of Tomorrow, Hollin Hills: Community of Vision, and Recording Historic Structures. He is a fellow of the Association for Preservation Technology International and the American Institute of Architects.
Hollin Hills: Our Evolution from Subdivision to Historic District
(Click on the graphic below to view the video of this event.)
Introduction by Barbara Ward, Hollin Hills Design Review Committee chair and Friends of Hollin Hills Board member
John Burns, a longtime Hollin Hills neighbor and member of the Fairfax County Architectural Review Board, discussed the ARB review process and how best to navigate it. What is it? How does it work with homeowners and the Hollin Hills Design Review Committee? How does it benefit the community?
Burns has served on the Fairfax County Architectural Review Board (ARB) since 1995, including several times as its chairman and has also served multiple times on the Hollin Hills Design Review Committee. He earned a Bachelor of Architecture and a BA in Art/Architectural History at Penn State.
Burns has lectured and written extensively on preservation topics, and co-authored Yesterday’s Houses of Tomorrow, Hollin Hills: Community of Vision, and Recording Historic Structures. He is a fellow of the Association for Preservation Technology International and the American Institute of Architects.
Hollin Hills: Our Evolution from Subdivision to Historic District
(Click on the graphic below to view the video of this event.)
Laura Trieschmann discusses how Hollin Hills has continued to evolve and change over the course of its history. The Hollin Hills neighborhood exists also within a historic preservation framework on local, state, and national levels. The Hollin Hills Historic District is listed on the Fairfax County Inventory of Historic Sites, the Virginia Landmarks Register, and the National Register of Historic Places. You will learn about Hollin Hills' status as a historic residential American suburb and what that means in the context of our subdivision’s evolution. Jere Gibber contributed to the presentation and Q&A.
Jere Gibber, a Hollin Hills’ resident since 1992, is executive director of the National Preservation Institute; she helped coordinate the effort to nominate the neighborhood as a historic district to the National Register of Historic Places.
Laura V. Trieschmann is the state historic preservation officer at the Vermont Division of Historic Preservation; she coordinated work by EHT Traceries, Inc. to successfully nominate the Hollin Hills Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places
Watch a Hollin Hills Conversation with Sam Droege:
What is Yard Doing to Save Bees?
by Sam Droege, Native Bee Specialist
USDS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Sam Droege discusses the need to preserve our native bees and the importance of native landscapes to their survival. He illuminates some of those patterns and, more importantly, provides simple things you can do in your yard to support as well as attract native bees.
Bio
Sam Droege grew up in Hyattsville, MD, received an undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland and a Master’s at the State University of New York – Syracuse. Most of his career has been spent at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. He has coordinated the North American Breeding Bird Survey Program, developed the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program, the Bioblitz, Cricket Crawl, and FrogwatchUSA programs and worked on the design and evaluation of monitoring programs. Currently he is developing an inventory and monitoring program for native bees, online identification guides for North American bees at www.discoverlife.org, and, with Jessica Zelt, reviving the North American Bird Phenology Program. As an aside, he is looking for volunteers interested in helping photoshop hi-resolution photographs of insects…see http://www.flickr.com/photos/usgsbiml/ and can be contacted at sdroege@usgs.gov
USDS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Sam Droege discusses the need to preserve our native bees and the importance of native landscapes to their survival. He illuminates some of those patterns and, more importantly, provides simple things you can do in your yard to support as well as attract native bees.
Bio
Sam Droege grew up in Hyattsville, MD, received an undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland and a Master’s at the State University of New York – Syracuse. Most of his career has been spent at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. He has coordinated the North American Breeding Bird Survey Program, developed the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program, the Bioblitz, Cricket Crawl, and FrogwatchUSA programs and worked on the design and evaluation of monitoring programs. Currently he is developing an inventory and monitoring program for native bees, online identification guides for North American bees at www.discoverlife.org, and, with Jessica Zelt, reviving the North American Bird Phenology Program. As an aside, he is looking for volunteers interested in helping photoshop hi-resolution photographs of insects…see http://www.flickr.com/photos/usgsbiml/ and can be contacted at sdroege@usgs.gov
Hollin Hills in Context: From Frank Lloyd Wright to Mid-Century Modern
Panelists Peter Christensen, House Guide for Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House and Bill Keene, lecturer in architecture and urban studies for Smithsonian Associates, explore Frank Lloyd Wright and his influence on mid-century modern architecture around the country, from Hollin Hills, VA to Denver, CO, to Palm Springs, CA. John Nolan, Hollin Hiller and architect, led the moderated Q&A session following the panelists' presentation.
Panelists Peter Christensen, House Guide for Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House and Bill Keene, lecturer in architecture and urban studies for Smithsonian Associates, explore Frank Lloyd Wright and his influence on mid-century modern architecture around the country, from Hollin Hills, VA to Denver, CO, to Palm Springs, CA. John Nolan, Hollin Hiller and architect, led the moderated Q&A session following the panelists' presentation.
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Native Trees and Shrubs for the Hollin Hills Landscape, Parts I and II
Renowned landscape architect and Hollin Hiller Dennis Carmichael discusses native trees and shrubs that work well in the unique Hollin Hills and, indeed, in any landscape. In two parts, Dennis provides a focused “greatest hits” of trees and shrubs, with illustrations and citing information, that are likely to work well in the conditions prevalent in Hollin Hills such as shade, marine clay soil, and damp or wet areas.
Renowned landscape architect and Hollin Hiller Dennis Carmichael discusses native trees and shrubs that work well in the unique Hollin Hills and, indeed, in any landscape. In two parts, Dennis provides a focused “greatest hits” of trees and shrubs, with illustrations and citing information, that are likely to work well in the conditions prevalent in Hollin Hills such as shade, marine clay soil, and damp or wet areas.
Chat with an Architect
If you are contemplating a renovation or an addition to a Charles Goodman or an Midcentury Modern home you will find answere from Rebecca Bostick, Michael Cook, Christine Kelly and Randy Mars, all architects experienced in working with MCM designs and in Hollin Hills. They discuss the unique design challenges of working with Charles Goodman homes. The video provides information on actual renovations and extensions as well as a discussion about the detailing and general approach to construction that creates a successful outcome. Each panelist also briefly presents their own designs and process.
If you are contemplating a renovation or an addition to a Charles Goodman or an Midcentury Modern home you will find answere from Rebecca Bostick, Michael Cook, Christine Kelly and Randy Mars, all architects experienced in working with MCM designs and in Hollin Hills. They discuss the unique design challenges of working with Charles Goodman homes. The video provides information on actual renovations and extensions as well as a discussion about the detailing and general approach to construction that creates a successful outcome. Each panelist also briefly presents their own designs and process.
Understanding Our Covenants
Friends hosted an informational session on the covenants that require Hollin Hills homeowners to seek approval for additions and other external changes to their homes. As part of a Civic Association of Hollin Hills initiative to explore options for strengthening architectural protections in the neighborhood, the community expressed interest in pursuing two recommendations simultaneously: to obtain legal advice on whether and how to amend the covenants and to engage with Supervisor Storck’s office about becoming an Historic Overlay District.
Following up on the Civic Association’s initiative, Friends of Hollin Hills, in conjunction with the Civic Association, hired Scott Surovell to provide the recommended legal advice. Scott is an attorney (and Virginia State Senator) who has litigated cases involving covenants and the authority of Home Owners Associations, and he also led an effort to amend the covenants in his own midcentury modern Davenport development, Tauxemont.
After a social hour with wine, beer, and snacks, Scott and his associate, Nathan Rozsa, discussed what our covenants are, how they are structured, what amendments might look like, and what the process for amendment would be if the community decided to move forward.
Working with the Hollin Hills Design Review Committee
Hollin Hills Civic Association Design Review Committee (DRC) representatives discuss the purpose and benefits DRC review and how to work effectively design review committees. The DRC is a volunteer committee of the Civic Association of Hollin Hills tasked with interpreting Design Review Guidelines in conjunction with the needs of the individual homeowner. The committee is currently staffed by three architects and two non-architects and a liaison from the Civic Association. Then-chair Andy Hight introduces the committee members and provides a brief overview of the Design Review Guidelines. The discussion then opened up for Q&A.
Friends hosted an informational session on the covenants that require Hollin Hills homeowners to seek approval for additions and other external changes to their homes. As part of a Civic Association of Hollin Hills initiative to explore options for strengthening architectural protections in the neighborhood, the community expressed interest in pursuing two recommendations simultaneously: to obtain legal advice on whether and how to amend the covenants and to engage with Supervisor Storck’s office about becoming an Historic Overlay District.
Following up on the Civic Association’s initiative, Friends of Hollin Hills, in conjunction with the Civic Association, hired Scott Surovell to provide the recommended legal advice. Scott is an attorney (and Virginia State Senator) who has litigated cases involving covenants and the authority of Home Owners Associations, and he also led an effort to amend the covenants in his own midcentury modern Davenport development, Tauxemont.
After a social hour with wine, beer, and snacks, Scott and his associate, Nathan Rozsa, discussed what our covenants are, how they are structured, what amendments might look like, and what the process for amendment would be if the community decided to move forward.
Working with the Hollin Hills Design Review Committee
Hollin Hills Civic Association Design Review Committee (DRC) representatives discuss the purpose and benefits DRC review and how to work effectively design review committees. The DRC is a volunteer committee of the Civic Association of Hollin Hills tasked with interpreting Design Review Guidelines in conjunction with the needs of the individual homeowner. The committee is currently staffed by three architects and two non-architects and a liaison from the Civic Association. Then-chair Andy Hight introduces the committee members and provides a brief overview of the Design Review Guidelines. The discussion then opened up for Q&A.
Other Videos Related to Hollin Hills
ALCOA 1957 "Care-Free" Home Video Tour"
Produced by Docomomo DC
Docomomo DC Tour Day 2020
Home owner Lee Breaun takes you through the Hollin Hills ALCOA house in the midst of renovations, explaining the homes' history and the challenges of restoration. ALCOA Care Free homes, designed by Charles Goodman, showcased new uses of aluminum in home building, through what Alcoa dubbed in their sales brochure as the “greatest change in residential building materials in centuries.” This is one of approximately 27 Alcoa Care Free Homes built around the country, of which only 23 still exist.
Produced by Docomomo DC
Docomomo DC Tour Day 2020
Home owner Lee Breaun takes you through the Hollin Hills ALCOA house in the midst of renovations, explaining the homes' history and the challenges of restoration. ALCOA Care Free homes, designed by Charles Goodman, showcased new uses of aluminum in home building, through what Alcoa dubbed in their sales brochure as the “greatest change in residential building materials in centuries.” This is one of approximately 27 Alcoa Care Free Homes built around the country, of which only 23 still exist.
Virtual Hollin Hills
Produced by Docomomo DC
Docomomo DC Tour Day 2020
You notice the difference the minute you turn off Fort Hunt Road. The houses are modest, nestled into the landscape and they are not in orderly rows lined up with the street. Grass exists only in patches. Garage doors are hard to find. There are no six-panel front doors or shutters on the windows. And the windows – they’re huge! What is this place? It’s Hollin Hills, a neighborhood of modernist houses designed by architect Charles Goodman for developer Robert Davenport and constructed between 1949 and 1971.
Produced by Docomomo DC
Docomomo DC Tour Day 2020
You notice the difference the minute you turn off Fort Hunt Road. The houses are modest, nestled into the landscape and they are not in orderly rows lined up with the street. Grass exists only in patches. Garage doors are hard to find. There are no six-panel front doors or shutters on the windows. And the windows – they’re huge! What is this place? It’s Hollin Hills, a neighborhood of modernist houses designed by architect Charles Goodman for developer Robert Davenport and constructed between 1949 and 1971.