Capitol Hill Restoration Society

About CHRS

The Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS) was founded more than 50 years ago to help preserve and protect the historic neighborhood’s architectural and residential character. Due to the efforts of CHRS, Capitol Hill won designation as a historic district in 1976.

CHRS, formed as a non-profit group, is now the largest civic association on Capitol Hill, and one of the largest in the District of Columbia. CHRS continues to play a key role in maintaining the integrity, history and appeal of the neighborhood which has been a diverse community for more than 200 years.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

You've probably got some questions about CHRS or the Capitol Hill historic district, and chances are others have asked us the same things. Please check here first for an answer to your question. If the answer is not here, email the CHRS office and we'll do our best to respond with the information you are requesting.

What is the Capitol Hill Restoration Society?
CHRS is the oldest and largest civic organization on Capitol Hill, representing about a thousand members. The Society was founded in 1955 to protect the historic fabric of the neighborhood.

More answers to common questions

CHRS Mission Statement

For more than 50 years, the Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS) has championed the interests of residential Capitol Hill by working to preserve its historic character and enhance its livability through efforts in planning, zoning, traffic management, and public safety.

View the CHRS Mission Statement

CHRS Bylaws

May 2007 Proposed Bylaw Amendment

Twelve members of the Board of Directors of CHRS have proposed a bylaw amendment that would increase the number of Elected (At Large) members of the Board from four to six. Should the proposal be approved, appointments would be made in accordance with section 21 of the Bylaws, with one appointee serving for one year beginning in 2007 and one serving for two years beginning in 2007. Proposed deletions are noted by ~~strikethroughs~~ and proposed additions are noted in Bold. (Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular meeting or responding to a mail ballot, if notice of such amendment is given in the Society Newsletter published at least two weeks in advance of such meeting. Details on this vote will be announced.)

“15. The Board of Directors shall be composed of the officers, the chairs of the committees referred to in paragraph 13, and ~~four~~ six members elected at large (hereafter “Elected Members”), and the Immediate Past President. Officers and Elected Members may serve concurrently as Committee Chairs.

24. A nominee receiving a majority vote of the members voting shall be duly elected to office. The officers and directors duly elected to office shall be announced at the Annual Meeting and shall take office the first day of the month following their election. Officers shall hold office for one year or until a successor is elected and qualified. Elected members will serve for two years or until a successor is elected and qualified, except that to create staggered terms, the initial Elected Members shall determine by lot those two members to serve terms expiring in 2002. Elected Members shall serve for two years with half being elected each year.”

View the current CHRS Bylaws

CHRS Budget

Proposed 2008 CHRS Operating Budget
by Paul Cromwell

The proposed CHRS 2008 operating budget proposes to continue line item expenditures based on previous years, with several notable exceptions.

One category—the Endowment Fund—has been removed from the operating budget because funds historically have not been transferred to the operating budget. A new line item—Beyond the Boundaries—has been added to recognize the Society’s interest in the historic neighborhoods outside the boundaries of the Capitol Hill Historic District, but within the Capitol Hill Planning Area. CHRS is prepared to offer assistance, from sponsoring activities designed to promote appreciation of neighborhood history to assisting with surveys of the neighborhoods’ historic resources. The Capitol Hill Area Element of DC’s Comprehensive Plan defines the boundaries of this planning area as, very roughly, Florida Avenue and Benning Road to the north, Second Street to the west, the freeway to the south, and the Anacostia Waterfront to the east. A total of $36,000 has been identified for this effort.

The line items concerning Historic Preservation and Membership have been increased to support two separate contracts, the first to complete the Photo Project and the second to identify new membership initiatives. To support these new activities, funding is proposed to be transferred from the Endowment Fund account (Transfer in from Other Accounts), which was augmented by this year’s very successful house tour.

The proposed budget envisions a return to the typical net gain for the 2008 house tour.