Historic Homes Around Washington D.C

As our nation’s capitol, Washington D.C. has no shortage of historic homes. Much of America’s history ties directly to structures in this extraordinary city. From civil rights activists, to politicians, to brewmasters, a wide variety of stories converged in Washington, D.C after the founding of this country. If you’re considering moving to Washington D.C., perhaps you might consider owning your own historical residence. Here are a few of our favorites for inspiration:

Old Stone House

The aptly named Old Stone House is the oldest structure on its original foundation in Washington D.C. Constructed in 1766, Old Stone House was once an inn, then a clockmaker’s shop. Strangely, the house became a used car dealership until it was purchased by the National Park Service in the 1950’s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tudor Place

Courtesy of Ron Cogswell

Once the home of Martha Washington’s granddaughter, Tudor Place hosted an array of wealthy Washington elite throughout the 1800’s. Unfortunately, it was originally purchased with profits from selling slaves. That fact is recognized by its historic preservers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary McLeod Bethune Council House

Courtesy of IIP Photo Archive

Mary McLeod Bethune was an African American stateswoman, civil rights activist, and philanthropist who lived through the late 1800’s and into mid 1900’s. Her residence also hosted the National Council of Negro Women until 1949. It continued to serve as a headquarters for the NCNW after Bethune’s death. Today, it is open to the public for tours and educational programs. Its two-story carriage house holds the National Archives for Black Women’s History.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clara Barton House

Courtesy of NPS

Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, lived in this home from 1897-1912. The American Red Cross staff office was briefly stationed here. A replica of the office is available for viewing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heurich House

Courtesy of Wikimedia

Constructed between 1892-1894, this building was once the home of German brewer Christian Heurich. Interestingly, Heurich’s self-named brewing company was the longest-running brewery in Washington, D.C. After Heurich’s death, his widow donated the home to the Historical Society of Washington, who used it as a headquarters until 2003. The Society preserved the entirety of the home’s original interior.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dumbarton Oaks

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ncindc/7042816909
Courtesy of NCinDC

Dumbarton Oaks is home to the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection. The original owner, William Hammond Dorsey, built the first part of the structure in 1801. A century later, the Bliss family acquired the property and expanded it to its current size. Afterward, the family founded the research institute. Currently, Dumbarton Oaks sponsors fellowships and scholarships in Byzantine, Garden and Landscape, and Pre-Columbian studies.

 

 

 

Owning Your Own

If you love the beautiful historic homes of Washington DC, why not live in one yourself? Though these examples are open to the public, you can find hundreds of historic homes in the Washington, D.C area, just waiting for a new owner. For an updated list of available homes in Washington, D.C, browse Redfin’s listings for homes built before 1900. Or, read Curbed‘s curated selection of D.C homes.

Moving Into History

If you do decide to move into a historic home, make sure that you understand the challenges and responsibilities of ownership. For more information, check out our blog post about Moving Into a Historic Home.

Olympia has the experience to move you into your own historic home. We can make your transition from a modern house into a piece of the past easy and seamless.

If you are planning on moving into a historic home, contact Olympia Moving and Storage today at 800-222-4744 or fill out our free estimate form.

Boston Moving Company and Northern Virginia Moving Company Trends 2015

Olympia Moving was proud to move thousands of happy families in 2015! We decided to take a look back at the year’s moves and dig out some interesting moving trends in the numbers.  Here are some infographics and observations on our findings:

Boston on the Move 2015 Trends by Olympia Moving & Storage2015 Boston Moving Trends

We started by taking a look at trends among the families we moved in our Boston moving company branch in Watertown, MA.

  • Boston-area families seem to be seeking warmer climates, as California, Florida, and Texas are among the top states we moved families to last year.
  • Bostonians also look to move to bigger metro areas in states such as California, Virginia, and New York.  The high number of families we move to Virginia might also be influenced by our second location in Alexandria, Virginia.
  • Most Boston-area moves occur in the summer, due to the good weather and the summer school break.  The most popular month to move is July, but due to the influence of universities and rental turnovers, the popularity of August moving days is higher than in other parts of the country.
  • Olympia Moving & Storage moved families all over the world in 2015, and 94% of our clients said they would choose us for their next relocation.

Northern Virginia on the Move 2015 Trends by Olympia Moving & Storage2015 Northern Virginia Moving Trends

We also looked at trends among families we moved in our Washington DC moving company branch in Alexandria, VA.

  • The most Northern Virginia families we moved interstate were relocating to the nearby states of the District of Columbia and Maryland.  A large number of Northern Virginia families shipped up to Boston and moved to Massachusetts.  One reason we moved so many NOVA families to the Bay State may be due to the location of our Boston branch.
  • Many Northern Virginia families also looked to escape the cold by moving to California and Florida.
  • Moving in Northern Virginia starts to pick up in April, peaking in June.

Are you moving in 2016?

If you’re looking to move from Boston or Northern Virginia to these states, or any other states, we’re looking forward to guiding you through every step of the relocation!  Get started by requesting a free, no obligation moving estimate or give us a call at 800.222.4744

Decluttering for your Washington DC Move: Furniture Donation Pickup in Washington DC

Furniture Donation PickupIf you are trying to declutter your home prior to a Washington, DC move, consider donating your old furniture instead of selling or trashing it. Not only is it better for the environment, but it is a chance to do some good. Donating furniture is easy with our list of organizations that offer furniture donation pickup in Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland.

There are plenty of good reasons to donate furniture prior to your move, including:

  • Saving money: the less items you have to move, the more inexpensive your move will be
  • Streamline the move: some of your furniture may not fit through the doorways or stairways of your new home, get rid of those items before move day to reduce stress
  • Redecorating: a new home is the perfect opportunity to get rid of the old to make way for a new home decor aesthetic
  • Simplifying: some studies show that less stuff equals greater happiness

These Washington DC area organizations make it easy with furniture donation pickup. If you live in the greater Boston area, don’t miss our list of organizations that will pickup furniture donations in Boston.

Charity-Net in support of Special Olympics Virginia

As proud supporters of Special Olympics Virginia, we recommend using Charity-Net to schedule a pickup of your gently used clothes, housewares, media, and furniture. Your items will go to Savers and Value Village Thrift Stores, and a portion of their sales will support the athletic programs and competitions for athletes with intellectual disabilities. You can book your pickup online. Just enter your zip code, and you’ll be presented with a list of possible pickup dates.

A Wider Circle

This non-profit provides basic need items, education, and long-term support for those in need. They accept furniture, linens, baby items, and professional attire. All your donations will be used by someone in need within days! Fill out this form to schedule a pick up or you can drop off at their office in Silver Spring.

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia

Habitat for Humanity builds homes for people in need. Your donations got to their ReStores which raise money for the organization. They are in need of furniture, housewares, appliances, building supplies, and more. Fill out this online form to schedule a weekday pickup from your curb, driveway, or garage. You can also drop items at their Alexandria or Chantilly store Monday – Saturday.

Alive! (ALexandrians InVolved Ecumenically)

This non-profit is a collaboration of religious congregations in Alexandria, VA to provide a safety net for the needy in Alexandria. If you live in Alexandria, they will send a volunteer to pick up your furniture on Saturday mornings. Call 703-837-9300 x3 to schedule the pickup. Alive! also accepts housewares.

Support Our Veterans

This organization sells your donations and uses the funds for programs for veterans. Use their online form to schedule a pickup of your furniture, housewares, clothes, and more. Then just leave your items on your porch by 8 AM on your schedule pickup day.

Still have leftover furniture? You can also check out this furniture disposal directory from Wayfair.

For more packing tips, be sure to check out:
9 Essential Items You Shouldn’t Bring on Your Move
How to Pack Video Series
Selling Unwanted Items Before Moving

Olympia Place 9th in Plane Pull to Benefit Special Olympics VA!

Olympia and Plane PullAs part of our ongoing support and sponsorship, our Virginia moving crew pitched in over the weekend for the Dulles Plane Pull to benefit Special Olympics Virginia!

Olympia was proud to be the official logistics sponsor of the event. During the prior week, Olympia managed pickups and deliveries for the Plane Pull’s supplies. Our crew also helped the SOVA team with set up, and provided day-of logistics support.

Ellen Head, director of development with Special Olympics Virginia, had the following to say about the crew: “THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! Your team was so helpful in so many ways and made such a positive impact on the event. All of your staff that were sent to assist or deliver throughout the week were always punctual, professional and so helpful. If I could throw you all in one big group hug, I would! THANK YOU!”

At our event sponsor booth, kids had fun exploring the inside of one of our moving trucks.

Olympia at Truck Pull

Team Olympia also participated in the Plane Pull. Our crew was able to pull a 164K lbs airplane in 6.791 seconds, earning them 9th place out of the 66 participating teams! If our crew can move a plane that fast, imagine how fast they can move a home!

Best of all, the event raised more than $226K for the Special Olympics athletes! The money will be used to provide year-round sports training and athletic competitions for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Olympia is proud to donate money and our services to such a worthy cause.

You can learn more about Olympia’s ongoing sponsorship of Special Olympics at olympiamoving.com/specialolympics

Can an Olympia Crew Pull an Airplane?

Olympia and Plane PullThey carry your bookshelves and pianos all day long, but we want to give our crew a new opportunity to prove their strength!

If team Olympia Moving & Storage raises $1250 for Special Olympics Virginia, our Alexandria, VA crew will attempt to pull a 164K pound airplane on September 14th as part of the Dulles Plane Pull!

CLICK HERE to visit our fundraising page & donate to Special Olympics Virginia

Dulles Plane Pull is a fantastic annual fundraising event at Dulles International Airport.  Dozens of plane pulling teams will raise money to benefit sports training and competition programs for athletes with intellectual disabilities.  This year, the event also includes live music, a car show, military and civilian aircraft displays, business exhibits, and children’s games and entertainment.

In addition to Plane Pulling, Olympia will also be sponsoring the event by donating logistics support for the event to Special Olympics Virginia.

In the past year, Olympia has also supported Special Olympics Massachusetts at their Summer Games and Over the Edge events.  You can learn more about the partnership between Olympia Moving & Special Olympics at olympiamoving.com/specialolympics

Move-Out & Renovations Assistance at DC-Area Universities

Olympia crews picking up students' boxes at Catholic University
Olympia crews picking up students’ boxes at Catholic University

Olympia Office Movers have hit the ground running this season with projects at several DC-area universities.

With finals behind our area college students, the last step before a beach-filled summer was the move out of their dorms. Olympia was there to assist.

Our Washington DC moving crews were all over the campuses of Catholic, Georgetown, Howard, American, Loyola, and Johns Hopkins Universities as well as University of Maryland.

Services to the students included the pickup of their boxes direct from the dorms, which were then transported to our secured warehouse for the summer. When the summer winds down, we will be meeting each student with their boxes before the new school year begins.

Noted Georgetown University freshman Abagail C, “This service is great! I am from New Jersey and don’t have room in my Civic for all my items. I will definitely use Olympia again.”

At American University, Olympia assisted with the removal of old dorm furniture at Letts Hall. 120 rooms were cleared and prepped for a much-needed renovation this summer. All the furniture is destined for Haiti, where it will be used in schools, churches, and hospitals.

Do you need help preparing for a renovation or another type of commercial move? Please feel free to contact Rob Weeks in commercial business development at rweeks@olympiamoving.com or visit this link to set up a free estimate.  We’d welcome the opportunity to discuss our services with you.

Read more about Olympia’s commercial moving experiences

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