Location

The Foggy Bottom Association, incorporated in 1959, promotes and protects one of Washington's oldest neighborhoods. Foggy Bottom's recorded history dates back to 1765 when Jacob Funk, a German immigrant, purchased and subdivided 120 lots between 24th and 19th Streets, NW, and H Street and the river. This area, known as Hamburgh, was home to German, Irish, and African-Americans who built, worked, and lived here during the industrial period.
This west end of the city was the site of docks, glass factories, breweries, a gas works, and, later, stately homes and what were known as “alley dwellings.” Shortly after World War II, public and private development moved in, building large residential complexes, highways, government and private office buildings, and cultural and educational centers. At the same time, run-down housing stock was being purchased and rebuilt by a mix of people who formed the core of what is now the Foggy Bottom Association.

Today, Foggy Bottom is an unusual mixture of homes, apartment dwellings, churches, hotels, restaurants, small businesses, and large institutions such as the State Department, the Kennedy Center, and the George Washington University. Many old, historic buildings have been restored and are open to the public. It's a friendly community, open and hospitable to visitors.