The Old Naval Hospital Foundation will renovate the historic building into the Hill Center

The Old Naval Hospital at 9th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, has been falling into disrepair for far too many years, but things are finally about to change.  The Old Naval Hospital Foundation is about to begin a major renovation to turn the historic site into the Hill Center, an “educational and cultural institution for our Capitol Hill community.”  The Foundation is holding a reception tonight from 6:30 – 8 pm to celebrate the start of this major project.

If you’ve ever attended a community meeting at the Old Naval Hospital — such as the monthly ANC6B meeting there — or simply walked by the property, you know just how sad the building and property has been looking.  Its historic nature, beautiful architecture, central location, and large property leave it begging to be utilized by the community.  The Foundation’s plans to turn the building into the Hill Center is intended to bring new education and cultural opportunities to all members of the community, as well as meeting and event space for neighborhood groups and organizations.

The Old Naval Hospital Foundation is a coalition of Capitol Hill neighbors “committed to seeing this landmark property fully restored and kept in community use” governed by an volunteer board of directors.  The Foundation plans to hire a professional staff to manage the Center’s operation.  You can learn more about their plans for the Center on their Web site or by attending tonight’s reception.