The DC Preservation League (DCPL) has been awarded a $750,000 grant from the National Park Service (NPS) to help underwrite costs associated with repairing/replacing the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system at the historic Howard Theatre in Washington, DC. A temporary chiller is in place to mitigate the negative effects of the compromised system.

The HVAC replacement will enhance the building’s energy efficiency, supporting DC’s status as a LEED Platinum City. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and is designed to help buildings achieve high performance in key areas of human and environmental health.

“The Howard Theatre is an important historic resource in Washington, DC, and DCPL is committed to supporting efforts to preserve and enhance this irreplaceable property. This project is critical to ensuring the long-term viability of the landmark’s remaining historic interiors as we experience extreme temperatures,” said Rebecca Miller, Executive Director of the DC Preservation League. “This project will also expand the documentation and the community’s understanding of the Theatre as more than just a music venue—but as a meeting place for 20th Century Civil Rights leaders and activists.”

Built in 1910, the Howard Theatre is one of the oldest theaters in the country that not only served Black audiences but provided a space for Black performers. For more than five decades it stood at the forefront of Black entertainment, providing talent and opportunities on a local and national level. The building was listed in the DC Inventory of Historic Sites in 1973 and in the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. However, its documentation does not explore the Theatre’s role in the Black community’s fight for civil rights. As part of the project, the Howard Theatre’s current National Register documentation will be amended to detail the Theatre’s role in African Americans’ struggle for Civil Rights.

"The Historic Howard Theatre is thrilled to be working with DCPL on this project, and we are grateful to the National Park Service for their financial support," said Roy “Chip” Ellis, of Ellis Development Group/Historic Howard Theatre, Inc. 

This project is funded in part by the African American Civil Rights grant program, through the Historic Preservation Fund, as administered by the National Park Service, Department of Interior. This grant program focuses on the preservation of sites and stories directly associated with the struggle of African Americans to gain equal rights. 

A request for bids from qualified contractors will be published in August 2024.

If you have any questions about the grant, please contact rebecca@dcpreservation.org.