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Don't let our name mislead you! The Association of Oldest Inhabitants of D.C. (AOI) is a thriving, vibrant organization, for young and old alike, that is interested in and dedicated to preserving the heritage of the District.

Founded Dec. 7, 1865, the Association of the Oldest Inhabitants is the city's oldest civic organization. Termed "Washington's Living Archive" by the Washington Post, it was founded by and boasted as members some of the city's earliest residents and business leaders.

Its formation came, as Historical Society of Washington's Library Director Gail Redmann wrote in "HSW Collections" of Washington History (Vol.12, No. 2, Fall/Winter 2000-2001 Issue), at a time when the post-Civil War population was surging with government workers, returning soldiers, and refugees.

The city was also plagued by lingering and divisive sectional loyalties, fed by the war. In an effort to restore the capital's dignity, the founders met in the Council Chamber of City Hall (now a DC Superior Court Building) to form the organization whose purpose is "to keep alive the reminiscences of the past and the social and paternal communion of the present and the future."

Over the years preserving historic sites, including the erection and maintenance of statues and memorials, has been a major commitment of the organization. The association's efforts to restore the statue of Territorial Governor Alexander Robey Shepherd to a place of prominence in downtown DC was paramount among its goals.

The statue was removed from in front of the District Building for the redevelopment of Pennsylvania Avenue where it had stood since 1909. After an effort of nearly 20 years to have the statue returned from its unceremonious exile at a public works yard near Blue Plains, the AOI together with several City Council members and the DC Department of Transportation celebrated its return on January 29, 2005, three days shy of Shepherd's 170th birthday.

Through its 12-member elected directors and officers and immediate past presidents, the AOI membership meets eight times yearly over lunch to reminisce and hear guests speak on matters of interest and conduct the business of the association.

Nearly 300 strong, the AOI is very interested in broadening its membership. Still the "best deal" in town, the $10 membership application fee and $15 per year dues apply to those meeting the membership criteria and associate members (non-voting). Members are those who have lived or maintained a business in DC for at least 20 years or who are descended from those who meet the criteria (e.g., native Washingtonians). Associate members need not meet the criteria.