About Washington Chronicles
My primary interest has always been architectural history, but there is much more to the story of any building beyond when it was constructed, its style, who the architect was, etc. This story often includes class, economic development, politics, and most interestingly, the personalities of those involved. I try to incorporate all these aspects in my research as much as possible, making for a more comprehensive, and hopefully, a fun read as well.
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About the Author
Stephen A. Hansen is a longtime resident of Washington, D.C. He is an architectural historian, a historic preservation specialist, and an author. He is the founder and principal at Preservation Matters, LLC, in Washington, D.C. Stephen is the author of A History of Dupont Circle: Center of High Society in the Capital and Kalorama Triangle: The History of a Capital Neighborhood published by The History Press in 2011 (below).
Contact Stephen at: washingtonchroniclesdc@gmail.com
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Books by Stephen A. Hansen
A History of Dupont Circle: Center of High Society in the Capital
Discover
the remarkable history of Washington, DC's famed Dupont Circle
neighborhood with author and historian Stephen A. Hansen.
"...the definitive social history of Dupont Circle for the indefinite future."
During
the Gilded Age, Dupont Circle was Washington's undisputed center of
wealth, power and status. Over twenty years, it evolved from small farms
and an overrun city cemetery to a community of grand homes for
society's elite. Residents included future presidents Theodore Roosevelt
and William Howard Taft, inventor Alexander Graham Bell, newspaper
publisher Cissy Patterson and many more. From the intimate dinners and
receptions of the Cave Dwellers to the lavish balls of Mary Townsend and
others in the "smart set," Dupont Circle marked each social season in
the capital. Satirized in Mark Twain's novel The Gilded Age, the nouveau
riche lifestyle of Dupont Circle was fodder for newspaper celebrity
gossip. Author Stephen Hansen brings to life the intriguing history of
Washington's famed Dupont Circle.
Published
by History Press, London and Charleston. Publication date: August 26,
2014. Pages: 224. Over 100 photos. List price: $21.99. Formats:
Paperback and ebook (Kindle, Nook, and iBooks).
Kalorama Triangle: The History of a Capita[ Neighborhood
Kalorama
is Greek for beautiful view, and it was the vista that drew wealthy
colonists to set their farms and manor homes on the verdant hills above
the capital. With the start of the Civil War, the grand hilltop
residences were turned over to the army to be used as barracks and
hospitals. It was only after the war that the land was developed into
city streets that saw everything from the excesses of the Gilded Age to
the horrors of the 1922 Knickerbocker Theater Disaster. Historian and
longtime resident Stephen A. Hansen charts the evolution of the
neighborhood from its earliest history through the twentieth century as
residents fought to preserve the historic character of Kalorama
Triangle.
Stephen A. Hansen
- Paperback: 160 pages
- Publisher: The History Press (October 11, 2011)
