%xmlchars; ]> ms2017 Guide to the Committee of 100 on the Federal City records [Part I], 1932-1991 Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Special Collections Research Center, The Gelman Library, The George Washington University 2006

2130 H. St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20052 Phone: 202-994-7549 Email: speccoll@gwu.edu

Machine-readable finding aid derived from Re:discovery database program and converted into xml; Code template by Archives and Information Associates (http://archivesandinformation.com), Alexandria, Virginia . 2006 Finding aid written in English Guide to the Committee of 100 on the Federal City Records [Part I], 1932-1991 MS2017 Special Collections Research Center, The Gelman Library, The George Washington University

Washington, D.C.

Processed by: Special Collections Staff, 2006 Encoded by: Jennifer King, 2006

Descriptive Summary Committee of 100 on the Federal City Committee of 100 on the Federal City records [Part I], 1932-1991 MS2017 27 Linear feet Collection contains correspondence, reports, minutes, publications, newspaper articles, memorandum, bank statements, maps, and blueprints. The material dates from 1932-91 with the bulk of the material falling within the dates 1950-87. The majority of the documents focus on city planning and transportation issues. These detail the various highway and rapid transit projects facing the district, as well as looking at zoning regulations and legal procedures and the debates and discussions between different committee members on many topics concerning planning issues in the District of Columbia. The George Washington University, The Gelman Library, Special Collections Research Center

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English Information for Users Preferred citation

Committee of 100 on the Federal City records [Part I], Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University.

Restrictions on Access

Some records may be restricted.

Acquisition Information

The Committee of 100 on the Federal City donated these records in 1986. Dorn McGrath, former chair of the Committee gave a gift in 1989. A final donation was made by former chair David Grinnel in 1991.

Restrictions on Use

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Historical or Biographical Note

The mission of the Committee of 100 on the Federal City is to safeguard and advance the fundamental planning, environmental and aesthetic values inherited from the L'Enfant Plan and the McMillan Commission that give Washington its historic distinction, natural beauty and overall livability. The Committee advances the proposition that planning of the highest caliber is essential to ensure for residents of Washington D.C. - indeed for all the citizens of the United States for whom the Nation's Capital is a symbol - the attainment and preservation of a city worthy of the Nation. From specific proposals such as its plan for the redesign of the Whitehurst Freeway below Georgetown, to more general initiatives, such as testimony on regional air quality standards and support for reinvigorating of the NCPC, the Committee continues its broad campaign for exemplary planning in the Nation's Capital. The Committee is engaging in close consultation on planning issues with the Congress and the District of Columbia Government. The Committee has also established its own ad hoc subcommittee on regional planning to work in liaison with kindred organizations in Maryland and Virginia.

The Committee of 100 on the federal City was organized in 1923 by the American Planning and Civic Association (APCA) in order to study the problems facing the Nation's capital. Frederic A. Delano, Uncle to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was the first Chairman of the Committee. Following its conception, the Committee of 100 has served as a citizens forum discussing planning issues that confront the District. The Committee separated itself from the APCA in 1965 and incorporated as a non-profit organization.

For over half a century, the Committee has attracted to its membership architects, planners, landscape architects, lawyers, conservationists, historians, and concerned citizens from diverse professions and backgrounds. It has sought to rally national, regional, and local organizations which share in the mission of safeguarding the heritage of Washington, D.C. Not only is the Committee of 100 on the Federal City the oldest planning body and the oldest citizens' forum on planning issues in the Nation's Capital, it is also one of the most effective and vigorous organizations of its kind.

Collection Scope and Content

This collection contains correspondence, reports, minutes, publications, newspaper articles, memorandum, bank statements, maps, and blueprints. The material dates from 1932-91 with the bulk of the material falling within the dates 1950-1987.

The majority of the documents focus on city planning and transportation issues. These detail the various highway and rapid transit projects facing the district, as well as looking at zoning regulations and legal procedures and the debates and discussions between different committee members on many topics concerning planning issues in the District of Columbia. Another portion of the collection deals with the founding and governing procedures of the committee including early historical documents. This early history has an history of the committee donated by Eric T. Menke. Significant people included in these records are Peter S. Craig, Frederic Delano, Harlean James, Ulysses Grant III, Dorn Mc Grath, John Nolen Jr., Constance Green, and Polly Shackleton. Some of the more important issues are the Three sisters Bridge Controversy, WMATA projects such as Metro Rail design and planning, the Pennsylvania. Avenue Development Corporation, Cleveland Park Historical Society, Potomac River Conversation, Inner Loop Freeway Planning (I-65 and I-295), Federal Triangle, Old Post Office, parking problems, and building height restrictions.

The collection as a whole provides researchers with information on the founding and organization of the Committee of 100, while showing how it functioned as citizens forum for discussing the great planning issues facing the Nation's Capital.

Collection Organization

Organized into seven series: Organizational history and background, Chronological files, General correspondence, Committee records, Financial records, Subject/Issues files, Oversize records.

Subject Terms Individuals McGrath, Dorn Craig, Peter S. Delano, Frederic Nolen, John, Jr. Grant, U.S. (Ulysses S.) Green, Constance McLaughlin Shackleton, Polly Corporate Entities Committee of 100 on the Federal City Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Topics Old Post Office and Clock Tower Three Sisters Bridge (proposed) Zoning Local transit Buildings Height restrictions Roads City planning Transportation Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Geographic Locations Washington (D.C.) Federal Triangle (Washington, D.C.) Detailed Description of the Records MS2017 Series 1 Organizational history and background, 1965-1981 0.25 Linear feet

This series contains articles of incorporation, statements, and reports. These materials cover 1965-81. This series details the structure, activities, and purpose for the Committee of 100. It also provides a brief history of its founding and initial organization.

1 1 Articles of Incorporation, 1965-1967 1 2 Background and History of the "Committee of 100,", 1938-1987 1 3 By Laws of the Committee of 100, 1965-1981 1 4 Certificate of Incorporation, 1965 1 5 Organizational Objectives of the Committee of 100, 1970 1 6 Proposed Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, 1967 MS2017 Series 2 Chronological files, 1939-1971 4 Linear feet

This series contains pamphlets, correspondence, newspaper articles, and reports. This material dates from 1939-71. The material in this collection was gathered by Eric T. Menke, a long time committee member, in order to detail the history of the Committee of 100.

1 7 Chronological File, 1939-1940 1 8 Chronological File, 1941-1943 1 9 Chronological File, 1944 1 10 Chronological File, Jan. Feb., 1945 1 11 Chronological File, March May, 1945 1 12 Chronological File, June-Dec, 1945 1 13 Chronological File, 1946 1 14 Chronological File, January, 1947 1 15 Chronological File, Feb. May, 1947 1 16 Chronological File, Sept. Dec., 1947 2 1 Chronological File, Jan. March, 1948 2 2 Chronological File, April Dec., 1948 2 3 Chronological File, Jan. May, 1949 2 4 Chronological File, June August, 1949 2 5 Chronological File, Sept. Dec., 1949 2 6 Chronological File, 1950 2 7 Chronological File, 1951 2 8 Chronological File, 1952 2 9 Chronological File Index, 1953-1954 2 10 Chronological File, Jan. April, 1953 2 11 Chronological File, May Nov., 1953 2 12 Chronological File, Jan.-May, 1954 2 13 Chronological File, June-Dec., 1954 2 14 Chronological File, Jan.-June, 1955 2 15 Chronological File, July-Nov., 1955 3 1 Chronological File, December, 1955 3 2 Chronological File, Jan. Feb., 1956 3 3 Chronological File, March June, 1956 3 4 Chronological File, July Nov., 1956 3 5 Chronological File, December, 1956 3 6 Chronological File, Jan.-Feb., 1957 3 7 Chronological File, April May, 1957 3 8 Chronological File, June Dec., 1957 3 9 Chronological File, Jan. Feb., 1958 3 10 Chronological File, March, 1958 3 11 Chronological File, April, 1958 3 12 Chronological File, April, 1958 3 13 Chronological File, May, 1958 3 14 Chronological File, June, 1958 3 15 Chronological File, July, 1958 4 1 Chronological File, August, 1958 4 2 Chronological File, September, 1958 4 3 Chronological File, October, 1958 4 4 Chronological File, November, 1958 4 5 Chronological File, December, 1958 4 6 Chronological File, January, 1959 4 7 Chronological File, February, 1959 4 8 Chronological File, March, 1959 4 9 Chronological File, April, 1959 4 10 Chronological File, May, 1959 4 11 Chronological File, June, 1959 4 12 Chronological File, July, 1959 4 13 Chronological File, August, 1959 4 14 Chronological File, November, 1959 4 15 Chronological File, December, 1959 4 16 Chronological File, January, 1960 4 17 Chronological File, February, 1960 4 18 Chronological File, March, 1960 4 19 Chronological File, April, 1960 4 20 Chronological File, May, 1960 4 21 Chronological File, June, 1960 4 22 Chronological File, July, 1960 4 23 Chronological File, September, 1960 4 24 Chronological File, October, 1960 5 1 Chronological File, November, 1960 5 2 Chronological File, December, 1960 5 3 Chronological File, January, 1961 5 4 Chronological File, February, 1961 5 5 Chronological File, March April, 1961 5 6 Chronological File, May June, 1961 5 7 Chronological File, Oct. Nov., 1961 5 8 Chronological File, December, 1961 5 9 Chronological File, January, 1962 5 10 Chronological File, February, 1962 5 11 Chronological File, March, 1962 5 12 Chronological File, April, 1962 5 13 Chronological File, May, 1962 5 14 Chronological File, June, 1962 5 15 Chronological File, July Sept., 1962 5 16 Chronological File, Oct. Dec., 1962 5 17 Chronological File, January, 1963 5 18 Chronological File, February, 1963 5 19 Chronological File, March, 1963 5 20 Chronological File, April, 1963 5 21 Chronological File, May June, 1963 5 22 Chronological File, July, 1963 5 23 Chronological File, Aug. Oct., 1963 5 24 Chronological File, Nov. Dec., 1963 6 1 Chronological File, Jan. Feb., 1964 6 2 Chronological File, March, 1964 6 3 Chronological File, April, 1964 6 4 Chronological File, May, 1964 6 5 Chronological File, June Aug., 1964 6 6 Chronological File, September, 1964 6 7 Chronological File, October, 1964 6 8 Chronological File, November, 1964 6 9 Chronological File, December, 1964 6 10 Chronological File, Jan. Feb., 1965 6 11 Chronological File, March, 1965 6 12 Chronological File, April, 1965 6 13 Chronological File, May July, 1965 6 14 Chronological File, October, 1965 6 15 Chronological File, Nov. Dec., 1965 6 16 Chronological File, January, 1966 6 17 Chronological File, February, 1966 6 18 Chronological File, March, 1966 6 19 Chronological File, March, 1966 7 1 Chronological File, April, 1966 7 2 Chronological File, May, 1966 7 3 Chronological File, June, 1966 7 4 Chronological File, July, 1966 7 5 Chronological File, August, 1966 7 6 Chronological File, September, 1966 7 7 Chronological File, October, 1966 7 8 Chronological File, November, 1966 7 9 Chronological File, December, 1966 7 10 Chronological File, Jan. Feb., 1967 7 11 Chronological File, March June, 1967 7 12 Chronological File, July Dec., 1967 7 13 Chronological File, Jan. March, 1968 7 14 Chronological File, April May, 1968 7 15 Chronological File, June Nov., 1968 7 16 Chronological File, December, 1968 7 17 Chronological File, January, 1969 7 18 Chronological File, Feb. March, 1969 7 19 Chronological File, April, 1969 7 20 Chronological File, May June, 1969 7 21 Chronological File, July Sept., 1969 7 22 Chronological File, Oct. Dec., 1969 7 23 Chronological File, Jan. Feb., 1970 7 24 Chronological File, March April, 1970 7 25 Chronological File, May August, 1970 8 1 Chronological File, Sept. Oct., 1970 8 2 Chronological File, Nov. Dec., 1970 8 3 Chronological File, Jan. Feb., 1971 8 4 Chronological File, March, 1971 8 5 Chronological File, April, 1971 8 6 Chronological File, May Sept., 1971 8 7 Chronological File, Oct. Nov., 1971 8 8 Chronological File, December, 1971 MS2017 Series 3 General correspondence, 1959-1981 0.5 Linear feet

This series contains correspondence that dates from 1959-81. Most of the correspondence relates to committee business such as office procedures and personal contact between committee members, and includes invitations and personal responses.

8 9 General Correspondence, April, 1959 8 10 General Correspondence, 1960 8 11 General Correspondence, 1961 8 12 General Correspondence, 1962 8 13 General Correspondence, 1963 8 14 General Correspondence, 1964 8 15 General Correspondence, 1965 8 16 General Correspondence, 1966 8 17 General Correspondence, 1967 8 18 General Correspondence, 1968 8 19 General Correspondence, 1969 8 20 General Correspondence, 1970 8 21 General Correspondence, 1971 8 22 General Correspondence, 1972 8 23 General Correspondence, 1973 8 24 General Correspondence, 1974 8 25 General Correspondence, 1975 8 26 General Correspondence, 1976 8 27 General Correspondence, 1977 8 28 General Correspondence, 1978 8 29 General Correspondence, 1979 8 30 General Correspondence, Jan.-May, 1980 8 31 General Correspondence, June Dec., 1980 8 32 General Correspondence, 1981 8 33 General Correspondence, Jan. May, 1982 8 34 General Correspondence, June Dec., 1982 8 35 General Correspondence, undated, undated MS2017 Series 4 Committee records, 1944-1987 2.5 Linear feet

The series contains minutes, correspondence, dues cards, and mailing lists. These materials date from 1944-87. The types of records in this series include membership and Trustees. The files with meeting minutes also contain supplemental materials handed out at the meeting. This series also has lists of the general members and Trustees of the Committee.

9 1 Membership: Correspondence, 1961 9 2 Membership: Correspondence, 1962 9 3 Membership: Correspondence, 1963 9 4 Membership: Correspondence, 1964 9 5 Membership: Correspondence, 1965 9 6 Membership: Correspondence, 1966 9 7 Membership: Correspondence, 1967 9 8 Membership: Correspondence, 1968 9 9 Membership: Correspondence, 1969 9 10 Membership: Correspondence, 1970 9 11 Membership: Correspondence, 1971 9 12 Membership: Correspondence, 1972 9 13 Membership: Correspondence, 1973 9 14 Membership: Correspondence, 1974 9 15 Membership: Correspondence, 1975 9 16 Membership: Correspondence, 1976 9 17 Membership: Correspondence, 1977 9 18 Membership: Correspondence, 1978 9 19 Membership: Correspondence, 1979-1983 9 20 Membership: Correspondence, undated, undated 9 21 Membership: Dues Cards, A-P, 1976 9 22 Membership: Dues Cards, Q-Z, A-F, 1976-1977 9 23 Membership: Dues Cards, G-P, 1977 9 24 Membership: Dues Cards, Q-Z, A-G, 1977-1978 10 1 Membership: Dues Cards, H-Z, 1978 10 2 Membership: Dues Cards, A-P, 1979 10 3 Membership: Dues Cards, Q-Z, 1979 10 4 Membership: Dues Cards, miscellaneous, 1967-1982 10 5 Membership: Mailing Lists, 1969-1981 10 6 Membership: Meeting Schedules, 1965-1981 10 7 Membership: Minutes, 1944-1959 10 8 Membership: Minutes, 1960-1961 10 9 Membership: Minutes, 1962 10 10 Membership: Minutes, 1963 10 11 Membership: Minutes, 1964 10 12 Membership: Minutes, 1965 10 13 Membership: Minutes, 1966 11 1 Membership: Minutes, Jan. June, 1967 11 2 Membership: Minutes, July Dec., 1967 11 3 Membership: Minutes, 1968 11 4 Membership: Minutes, 1969 11 5 Membership: Minutes, 1970 11 6 Membership: Minutes, Jan. April, 1971 11 7 Membership: Minutes, May Dec., 1971 11 8 Membership: Minutes, Jan. April, 1972 11 9 Membership: Minutes, May Dec., 1972 11 10 Membership: Minutes, Jan. April, 1973 11 11 Membership: Minutes, May Dec., 1973 11 12 Membership: Minutes, 1974 12 1 Membership: Minutes, 1975 12 2 Membership: Minutes, 1976 12 3 Membership: Minutes, 1977 12 4 Membership: Minutes, 1978 12 5 Membership: Minutes, 1979 12 6 Membership: Minutes, Jan. April, 1980 12 7 Membership: Minutes, May Dec., 1980 12 8 Membership: Minutes, 1981 12 9 Membership: Minutes, Jan. April, 1982 12 10 Membership: Minutes, May Dec., 1982 12 11 Membership: Minutes, 1983-1987 13 1 Membership: Minutes, 1983 13 2 Membership: Minutes & Membership, undated 13 3 Membership: Rosters, 1966-1967 13 4 Membership: Stationary of the Committee, undated 13 5 Trustees: Correspondence and Reports, 1965-1969 13 6 Trustees: Minutes, 1965-1967 13 7 Trustees: Minutes, 1968 13 8 Trustees: Minutes, 1969 13 9 Trustees: Minutes, 1970 13 10 Trustees: Minutes, 1971 13 11 Trustees: Minutes, 1972 13 12 Trustees: Minutes, 1973 13 13 Trustees: Minutes, 1974 13 14 Trustees: Minutes, 1975 13 15 Trustees: Minutes, 1976 13 16 Trustees: Minutes, 1977 13 17 Trustees: Minutes, 1978 14 1 Trustees: Minutes, 1979 14 2 Trustees: Minutes, 1980 14 3 Trustees: Minutes, 1981 14 4 Trustees: Minutes, 1982 14 5 Trustees: Minutes, 1984-1985 14 6 Trustees: Minutes, 1986-1987 14 7 Trustees: Minutes, undated MS2017 Series 5 Financial records, 1966-1982 1.5 Linear feet

This series contains correspondence, checkbooks, bills, receipts, tax forms, and Treasurer's reports. This material dates from 1966-82. The correspondence contains information on legal funds and various project specific fundings. Special highlights include PIPA account details and information concerning Three Sisters Bridge, the Volpe Trial, and other highway projects. Many of the receipts and bills in this series deal with general office tasks such as duplicating and printing services.

14 8 Bank Statements, Cancelled Checks and Deposit Tickets, 1966 14 9 Bank Statements, Cancelled Checks and Deposit Tickets, 1967 14 10 Bank Statements, Cancelled Checks and Deposit Tickets, 1968 14 11 Bank Statements, Cancelled Checks and Deposit Tickets, 1969 14 12 Bank Statements, Cancelled Checks and Deposit Tickets, 1970 14 13 Bank Statements, Cancelled Checks and Deposit Tickets, 1972 14 14 Bank Statements, Cancelled Checks and Deposit Tickets, 1972 14 15 Bank Statements, Cancelled Checks and Deposit Tickets, 1973 15 1 Bank Statements, Cancelled Checks and Deposit Tickets, 1973 15 2 Bank Statements, Cancelled Checks and Deposit Tickets, 1974 15 3 Bank Statements, Cancelled Checks and Deposit Tickets, 1974 15 4 Bank Statements, Cancelled Checks and Deposit Tickets, 1975 15 5 Bank Statements, Cancelled Checks and Deposit Tickets, 1975 15 6 Bank Statements, Cancelled Checks and Deposit Tickets, 1976 15 7 Bank Statements, Cancelled Checks and Deposit Tickets, 1976 15 8 Bank Statements, Cancelled Checks and Deposit Tickets, 1977 15 9 Bank Statements, Cancelled Checks and Deposit Tickets, 1977 16 1 Bank Statements, Cancelled Checks and Deposit Tickets., 1978 16 2 Bank statements, Cancelled Checks and Deposit Tickets, 1978 16 3 Bills and Balance Sheets, 1971-1974 16 4 Checkbook and Stubs, 1970-1974 16 5 Checkbook and Stubs, 1974-1978 16 6 Correspondence on Contributions to Legal Funds, 1971 16 7 Correspondence on Contributions to Legal Funds, 1972-1978 16 8 Correspondence on Legal Fund, 1966-1970 16 9 Correspondence on PIPA Account, 1980 16 10 Financial Correspondence, 1966-1976 16 11 Financial Correspondence, 1977-1982 16 12 Financial Notes, 1969 17 1 IRS Tax Forms, 1966-1979 17 2 Mimeograph Bills and Receipts, 1966 17 3 Mimeograph Bills and Receipts, 1967 17 4 Mimeograph Bills and Receipts, 1968 17 5 Mimeograph Bills and Receipts, 1969 17 6 Mimeograph Bills and Receipts, 1970 17 7 Mimeograph Bills and Receipts, 1971 17 8 Mimeograph Bills and Receipts, 1972 17 9 Mimeograph Bills and Receipts, 1973 17 10 Non Profit Forms and Applications, 1966-1973 17 11 Receipt and Disbursment Notebook, 1965 17 12 Treasurer's Reports, 1975-1982 MS2017 Series 6 Subject/Issues files, 1954-1991 17 Linear feet

This series contains correspondence, reports, publications, pamphlets, memorandum, Congressional bills, newspaper articles, maps and blueprints. This material dates form 1954-91. The broad subjects within the collection include city planning, ecology/conservation, historic preservation, and transportation both general, and highways. These materials represent the real involvement of the Committee with the various planning aspects of the Nation's Capital. They contain information on citizens groups, court cases, and planning commissions which shows how the Committee of 100 used its influence to solve many of the problems facing the District of Columbia.

The material related to transportation contains important information on the Three Sisters Bridge controversy, the Volpe Trial, and Interstate construction in the D.C. Metropolitan Area. For the topic of city planning there is extensive documentation on the Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation and the National Capital Planning Commission and blueprints of projects such as the Old Post Office and Federal Triangle.

18 1 National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC): "City Planning and Zoning Regulations,", 1970-1972 18 2 NCPC: Comprehensive Plan, 1967 18 3 NCPC: Comprehensive Planning Maps, 1968 18 4 NCPC: Congressional Bill HR 12708, 1967 18 5 NCPC: Convention/Sports Arena Complex, 1971 18 6 NCPC: Developmental Plan, 1968 18 7 NCPC: Downtown Design and Development, 1974 18 8 NCPC: Downtown Heliport Study, 1973 18 9 NCPC: Federal Capital Improvements Program, 1982-1986 18 10 NCPC: Federal Goals for the National Capital, 1982 18 11 NCPC: Friendship Heights Uptown Center, 1972 18 12 NCPC: Reorganization of NCPC, correspondence, 1973-1982 19 1 NCPC: Resolutions and Correspondence, 1960-1973 19 2 NCPC: Transportation Planning Acts, 1968-1979 19 3 NCPC: Transportation Plans, 1968 19 4 NCPC: Urban Design, 1980-1981 19 5 NCPC: Urban Design Study of Constitution and Independence Ave., 1980 19 6 NCPC: The Urban River, 1972 19 7 NCPC: Zoning Correspondence, 1977-1981 19 8 NCPC: Zoning Correspondence, 1982

Selected items from this folder are listed below. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of materials within this folder.

Item 1 General Services Administration, Federal Triangle--Master Plan, Executive Director's Summary of Issues and Options, 04/30/1982 Item 2 General Services Administration, Federal Triangle--Master Plan, Report to the General Services Administration (Draft), 04/30/1982 Item 3 Federal Triangle Master Plan, Report of the Joint Committee on Landmarks, 04/21/1982 19 9 NCPC: Zoning and Lawsuits, miscellaneous material, 1966-1971 19 10 Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation (PADC) Annual Plan, 1974 19 11 PADC: Annual Report, 1979 19 12 PADC: Annual Report, 1980 19 13 PADC: Background Information, 1965