The DC History Conference is the largest annual gathering for history and humanities-minded Washingtonians. The DC History Conference’s mission is to highlight outstanding recent scholarship and engagement with the history of Washington, DC and to share that knowledge with an interested community of scholars, neighbors, students, history enthusiasts, policy makers, activists, artists, and more.

Since 1973, trained scholars and community members have had the opportunity to present their work at this welcoming annual gathering. This interdisciplinary community conference prioritizes the local city but includes the federal city, as well as nearby Maryland and Virginia.

Now accepting applications to the History Network and the Research Showcase!

May 1 - 2, 2026
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library