About HMP

Historic Mount Pleasant (HMP) was incorporated in 1985 to initiate the nomination of Mount Pleasant as a historic district under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. The Mount Pleasant Historic District was designated in 1986, to cover Mount Pleasant’s “Period of Significance,” from 1851 to 1949.

Visit the District of Columbia Office of Planning website to read the:

• Mount Pleasant Historic District Nomination
• Historic District Brochure
• Historic District Maps

You can download the 1985 Application for the Creation of the Mount Pleasant Historic District under D.C. Law 2-144 on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1991, HMP published Guidelines for Building Permits in the Mount Pleasant Historic District, a practical guide intended to help 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. In addition to ongoing design review work, we offer occasional programs (such as workshops on window repair and Heritage and Call Box Trail walks). Proceeds from memberships and occasional fundraisers–for many years we hosted an annual yard sale–are used to fund these 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 existing members to renew memberships. We have a general membership meeting annually, usually in late February or early March, 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.

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 standing committees (Membership & Community Outreach, Design Review) or periodic special committees and help expand our activities. Questions and suggestions are always welcome; an e-mail link appears on this website.

Our Mission

HMP’s mission is to preserve the architectural legacy and streetscapes that define the Mount Pleasant Historic District for the benefit of current and future residents. A number of activities support this goal:

• A Design Review Committee, appointed by the Board, provides advice on proposed construction projects and reviews those that require decisions by the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB).
• HMP works with other local organizations on policy issues affecting preservation and testifies before the Historic Preservation Review Board, DC Council and the Zoning Commission on design, legislative, regulatory and agency performance matters.
• HMP hosts discussions of preservation issues and other events and makes small grants for neighborhood projects.

The Board welcomes questions, comments and suggestions at any time. You are welcome to read our Annual Reports below.

We invite all Mount Pleasant residents to work with us to help preserve the architectural character of our neighborhood. We urge you to become familiar with the special rules for historic districts in the District of Columbia, as well as the general rules governing construction and the issuance of building permits. If you are planning on making changes to the exterior of your home or other property, be sure to determine the applicable requirements early in the process, as mistakes – including unpermitted work – can prove costly. We can help you understand these rules and how to go about getting the necessary approvals from District authorities.

2024 Board Members & Design Review Committee

Bylaws

Download a copy of the HMP Bylaws »