Historic Mount Pleasant was incorporated in 1985 to support and strengthen local and national historic preservation laws and, more specifically, to take the steps necessary to achieve the designation of Mount Pleasant as a historic district under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.  Mount Pleasant was designated a historic district under federal and D.C. law in 1987.  (You may view the approved application at the Mount Pleasant Library.)

Since that time, we have worked within the neighborhood and with District agencies to identify architectural elements worthy of protection and to preserve those elements.  In 1991, we published Guidelines for Building Permits in the Mount Pleasant Historic District (HMPGuide.pdf) a practical guide intended to assist homeowners understand the permit process and the design elements that would be important in gaining approval by D.C. agencies.  The Guidelines have been updated and remain the most complete description of issues relevant to exterior renovations of Mount Pleasant homes.  We urge neighbors contemplating renovations to become familiar with the Guidelines and to share their plans at an early stage with our Design Review Committee.

HMP's activities are guided by a Board of Directors and governed by Bylaws established by the Board (members of the current Board of Directors are listed below).  In addition to ongoing design review work, we offer occasional programs (such as workshops on window repair and Heritage and Call Box Trail walks) and have for many years hosted an annual yard sale in June, the proceeds from which fund our other activities.  We also occasionally make small grants for specific neighborhood projects.  We hold an annual holiday party in December, ordinarily at a private home, which also serves as a means of encouraging new members to join and exiisting members to renew memberships.  We have a general membership meeting each February, at which the Board of Directors is elected and design awards may be given for outstanding residential or commercial renovations undertaken during the prior year. An Annual Report of the prior year's activities is made available at the meeting.  (The 2009 Annual Report is available by clicking on 2009_Annual_Report.pdf.)

We are a membership organization and invite others interested in historic preservation, particularly those new to Mount Pleasant, to join with us, learn about the current challenges to sustaining the unique and valuable features of our neighborhood, and help us protect and preserve them for future generations.  Please volunteer for one of our committees (Membership & Community Outreach, Design Review, and Yard Sale) and help us expand our activities.  Questions and suggestions are always welcome.