Anacostia Arts Center

Explore “East of the River” in Historic Anacostia! The rolling hills East of the Anacostia River, with a commanding view of modern Washington DC, have been settled for centuries. From the trading grounds of the indigenous Nacotchtank, to a Whites-only planned suburb known as “Uniontown,” to a predominantly Black enclave, Anacostia has seen dramatic change and stark contrasts. The neighborhood served as a home for famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass, an escape route of assassin John Wilkes Booth, protest grounds for WWI Veterans, and a modern testament to the resilience of Washington’s Black community. Anacostia’s fascinating and diverse architecture encapsulates the many identities the neighborhood has held. With new development on the horizon and recent local investment in historic preservation, there’s never been more to learn and explore in Historic Anacostia!