Barbara Held Reich · 1984 Honoree

Barbara Held Reich is a woman successful in the world of Capitol Hill real estate who has never forgotten what it is to be a caring human being. For 30 years Barbara has been involved in buying, restoring, and selling Capitol Hill property. Across this time she has been influential in creating and encouraging a wide variety of groups and organizations committed to the improvement of the Capitol Hill community. She has worked in the Capitol Hill Restoration Society, the Pennsylvania Avenue Progress Association, the Market Row Association, the Barracks Row Association and Champs. She was a member of the founding board of the Women’s Bank of Washington.

With her late husband, Robert E.Reich, she restored 617 A Street, NE, winning the Restoration Society’s “Best Residential Award,” as well as 328 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, which won “Best Commercial Award.” Together they developed Archibald Walk, making houses, garages, and warehouses into a most livable community named after Archie Donohoe.

However, her time and talent have not alone been turned to commercial ventures. Friendship House, the Folger, the historic Congressional Cemetery and Chapel, the Capitol Hill Wholistic Health Center, and the Sasha Bruce Youthwork are among the causes to which she gives support in a variety of ways. In her life there has always been time and energy for people. So, one finds her very comfortably moving from a meeting of the Victorian Society to serving as a volunteer at the noontime free luncheon program at the Washington City Church of the Brethren.

A daughter of a Lutheran parsonage, her life continues to be nourished in worship and prayer. She remains a faithful member of Christ Episcopal Church in Georgetown.

Because of her commitment to people and community and neighborhood on Capitol Hill we honor her this night.