Kim Bender
@kimpbender.bsky.social
CEO at @heurichhouse | Pres at @dcarchivesfdn | DC not Washington | reviving old things
Pinned
Kim Bender
@kimpbender.bsky.social
· Apr 29
How a Beer Baron's House Became a Dynamic Washington, D.C., Museum | National Trust for Historic Preservation
The Heurich House Museum offers local history and architectural appeal on tap.
savingplaces.org
“My vision is for us to be an important local history organization and to...be a leader in the strengthening of the value of local history.” 📦
savingplaces.org/stories/how-...
savingplaces.org/stories/how-...
Reposted by Kim Bender
Don't waste your time on this op ed. Read this instead:
November 17, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Don't waste your time on this op ed. Read this instead:
Reposted by Kim Bender
Check out these seasonal pop-up markets around the region, where you’ll find homemade goods, vintage items, locally-crafted artworks, holiday decor, and other gifts.
10 Holiday Markets to Visit in the DC Area This Season
Downtown Holiday Market, Lucketts Holiday House, Heurich Christmas Markt, and other favorites.
washingtonian.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Check out these seasonal pop-up markets around the region, where you’ll find homemade goods, vintage items, locally-crafted artworks, holiday decor, and other gifts.
Reposted by Kim Bender
Give the gift of a year of community this holiday season! A Heurich House Museum gift membership won’t sit in the corner collecting dust. It’s perfect for...
November 16, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Give the gift of a year of community this holiday season! A Heurich House Museum gift membership won’t sit in the corner collecting dust. It’s perfect for...
Reposted by Kim Bender
🏠 1218 19th St NW: Christian & Mathilde Heurich’s first home together
Christian and Mathilde married in 1887 and lived in a house on 19th St NW, directly behind the original Chr. Heurich Brewing Co.
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Christian and Mathilde married in 1887 and lived in a house on 19th St NW, directly behind the original Chr. Heurich Brewing Co.
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November 15, 2025 at 11:02 PM
🏠 1218 19th St NW: Christian & Mathilde Heurich’s first home together
Christian and Mathilde married in 1887 and lived in a house on 19th St NW, directly behind the original Chr. Heurich Brewing Co.
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Christian and Mathilde married in 1887 and lived in a house on 19th St NW, directly behind the original Chr. Heurich Brewing Co.
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Reposted by Kim Bender
Museum Members 🤝 Maker Fellows
Last month, the two makers (Abloom & D'bohomama) in our pilot fellowship program presented some new products and booth set-ups to a test audience of our members.
Last month, the two makers (Abloom & D'bohomama) in our pilot fellowship program presented some new products and booth set-ups to a test audience of our members.
November 13, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Museum Members 🤝 Maker Fellows
Last month, the two makers (Abloom & D'bohomama) in our pilot fellowship program presented some new products and booth set-ups to a test audience of our members.
Last month, the two makers (Abloom & D'bohomama) in our pilot fellowship program presented some new products and booth set-ups to a test audience of our members.
Reposted by Kim Bender
To make the main hallway fireplace mantel:
🔨 Carpenters and joiners would have framed it
🗜️ Cabinet makers specialized at making detailed wooden furniture, would have hand crafted the mantel
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🔨 Carpenters and joiners would have framed it
🗜️ Cabinet makers specialized at making detailed wooden furniture, would have hand crafted the mantel
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November 12, 2025 at 12:31 PM
To make the main hallway fireplace mantel:
🔨 Carpenters and joiners would have framed it
🗜️ Cabinet makers specialized at making detailed wooden furniture, would have hand crafted the mantel
(1/5)
🔨 Carpenters and joiners would have framed it
🗜️ Cabinet makers specialized at making detailed wooden furniture, would have hand crafted the mantel
(1/5)
Reposted by Kim Bender
On Veteran’s Day, we remember people who worked for the Heurich family and served in the military.
There were likely many more people who served whose names we don’t know - including the craftspeople and artisans whose stories we’re currently researching.
There were likely many more people who served whose names we don’t know - including the craftspeople and artisans whose stories we’re currently researching.
November 11, 2025 at 12:45 PM
On Veteran’s Day, we remember people who worked for the Heurich family and served in the military.
There were likely many more people who served whose names we don’t know - including the craftspeople and artisans whose stories we’re currently researching.
There were likely many more people who served whose names we don’t know - including the craftspeople and artisans whose stories we’re currently researching.
Reposted by Kim Bender
Each part of the Heurich home represents multiple layers of labor - how do we uncover them?
November 10, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Each part of the Heurich home represents multiple layers of labor - how do we uncover them?
Reposted by Kim Bender
This is Just to Say
I have ruined
the workplace
with my very presence
and which
you were probably
using
for bro time
Forgive me
it’s like a
Montessori preschool
in here now
I have ruined
the workplace
with my very presence
and which
you were probably
using
for bro time
Forgive me
it’s like a
Montessori preschool
in here now
November 7, 2025 at 3:16 PM
This is Just to Say
I have ruined
the workplace
with my very presence
and which
you were probably
using
for bro time
Forgive me
it’s like a
Montessori preschool
in here now
I have ruined
the workplace
with my very presence
and which
you were probably
using
for bro time
Forgive me
it’s like a
Montessori preschool
in here now
Reposted by Kim Bender
We’re proud to share that our Humanities Scholar-in-Residence, Neil Flanagan (@jgbollard.bsky.social), has published a new piece in @theatlantic.com: “White House Architecture Was an Honor System. Trump Noticed.”
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White House Architecture Was an Honor System. Trump Noticed.
For 125 years, informal norms constrained what a president could do to one of the nation’s most famous landmarks.
www.theatlantic.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:10 PM
We’re proud to share that our Humanities Scholar-in-Residence, Neil Flanagan (@jgbollard.bsky.social), has published a new piece in @theatlantic.com: “White House Architecture Was an Honor System. Trump Noticed.”
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Reposted by Kim Bender
One of the first things people see after walking through the front doors of the Heurich house is a grand built-in fireplace. The hallway was designed to make a powerful impression. Its height, the detailed woodwork, large mirror, and intricate tiling adds to the sense of wealth and grandeur.
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November 6, 2025 at 11:50 PM
One of the first things people see after walking through the front doors of the Heurich house is a grand built-in fireplace. The hallway was designed to make a powerful impression. Its height, the detailed woodwork, large mirror, and intricate tiling adds to the sense of wealth and grandeur.
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Reposted by Kim Bender
Every hot dog stand will in fact be replaced by the deconstructivist falafel stand from the 1995 Parker Posey vehicle Party Girl.
November 5, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Every hot dog stand will in fact be replaced by the deconstructivist falafel stand from the 1995 Parker Posey vehicle Party Girl.
Reposted by Kim Bender
When I got the chance to write this article, I wanted scholarship that put the preservation of the White House in context. I see three themes in the story:
1. Reification of expertise
2. Growth of executive power
3. Use of DC as a testing ground
(thread) 🗃️
1. Reification of expertise
2. Growth of executive power
3. Use of DC as a testing ground
(thread) 🗃️
White House Architecture Was an Honor System. Trump Noticed.
For 125 years, informal norms constrained what a president could do to one of the nation’s most famous landmarks.
www.theatlantic.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:08 PM
When I got the chance to write this article, I wanted scholarship that put the preservation of the White House in context. I see three themes in the story:
1. Reification of expertise
2. Growth of executive power
3. Use of DC as a testing ground
(thread) 🗃️
1. Reification of expertise
2. Growth of executive power
3. Use of DC as a testing ground
(thread) 🗃️
Reposted by Kim Bender
Gift link: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
White House Architecture Was an Honor System. Trump Noticed.
For 125 years, informal norms constrained what a president could do to one of the nation’s most famous landmarks.
www.theatlantic.com
November 1, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Gift link: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
No one knows this history better than Neil.
For 125 years, the preservation of the White House has functioned as an agreement between the influential and the powerful, with no accountability.
When Donald Trump demolished the East Wing, he showed once again how unconstrained the Presidency really is.
When Donald Trump demolished the East Wing, he showed once again how unconstrained the Presidency really is.
White House Architecture Was an Honor System. Trump Noticed.
For 125 years, informal norms constrained what a president could do to one of the nation’s most famous landmarks.
www.theatlantic.com
November 1, 2025 at 12:50 PM
No one knows this history better than Neil.
Reposted by Kim Bender
I am now known as a design review board expert in the continent of Australia.
‘You can start tonight’: How Trump exploited the rules to bulldoze the East Wing
Anyone who has ever dealt with a development authority would have to wonder: how can the US president demolish a third of the White House without a single planning permit?
www.theage.com.au
October 31, 2025 at 2:19 PM
I am now known as a design review board expert in the continent of Australia.
Reposted by Kim Bender
“[Grandmother] heard knocking in the bronze figure…in the corner of the reception room.” - Jan Evans, a Heurich grandchild, recalled in a 1985 oral history interview.
After the knocks, Amelia heard Jan’s father say, “things are so different from what I thought” – even though he died during WWII.
After the knocks, Amelia heard Jan’s father say, “things are so different from what I thought” – even though he died during WWII.
October 31, 2025 at 2:36 PM
“[Grandmother] heard knocking in the bronze figure…in the corner of the reception room.” - Jan Evans, a Heurich grandchild, recalled in a 1985 oral history interview.
After the knocks, Amelia heard Jan’s father say, “things are so different from what I thought” – even though he died during WWII.
After the knocks, Amelia heard Jan’s father say, “things are so different from what I thought” – even though he died during WWII.
Reposted by Kim Bender
(Probably) unintentional Halloween colors in a collaged textile design by Alexander Girard for @hermanmiller.com, ca. 1957–59 in the collection of the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum.
October 30, 2025 at 11:52 PM
(Probably) unintentional Halloween colors in a collaged textile design by Alexander Girard for @hermanmiller.com, ca. 1957–59 in the collection of the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum.
Reposted by Kim Bender
“Grandmother believed in spirits” - Jan Evans, Heurich granddaughter.
Amelia Heurich often asked for good spirits to be with her family in her diaries. She would also attribute sounds like knocks or rustling in the house to Anna Marguerite, her daughter who died at 9 months old.
Amelia Heurich often asked for good spirits to be with her family in her diaries. She would also attribute sounds like knocks or rustling in the house to Anna Marguerite, her daughter who died at 9 months old.
October 30, 2025 at 9:59 PM
“Grandmother believed in spirits” - Jan Evans, Heurich granddaughter.
Amelia Heurich often asked for good spirits to be with her family in her diaries. She would also attribute sounds like knocks or rustling in the house to Anna Marguerite, her daughter who died at 9 months old.
Amelia Heurich often asked for good spirits to be with her family in her diaries. She would also attribute sounds like knocks or rustling in the house to Anna Marguerite, her daughter who died at 9 months old.
Reposted by Kim Bender
Käthe Kruse (born in 1883 in Germany) founded her dollmaking practice on the idea that dolls should be soft, durable, and more natural for children to use. This meant departing from the cold, hard (likely inaccessible to many) porcelain dolls of the era. 👶
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October 25, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Käthe Kruse (born in 1883 in Germany) founded her dollmaking practice on the idea that dolls should be soft, durable, and more natural for children to use. This meant departing from the cold, hard (likely inaccessible to many) porcelain dolls of the era. 👶
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Reposted by Kim Bender
With NCPC in the news I guess it’s a good time to clarify that I am writing a book about NC(P)PC’s creation: where the idea came from, and what that meant for certain neighborhoods in DC.
I usually don’t describe the book in like this because it sounds boring. But nothing with Harlean James is!
I usually don’t describe the book in like this because it sounds boring. But nothing with Harlean James is!
October 22, 2025 at 2:52 AM
With NCPC in the news I guess it’s a good time to clarify that I am writing a book about NC(P)PC’s creation: where the idea came from, and what that meant for certain neighborhoods in DC.
I usually don’t describe the book in like this because it sounds boring. But nothing with Harlean James is!
I usually don’t describe the book in like this because it sounds boring. But nothing with Harlean James is!
Reposted by Kim Bender
The skylight was designed with ventilation in mind. 🌬️
When walking up the main staircase, your eyes may be drawn to faint light shining from a skylight above. The skylight room is between the main stairs and the roof - only accessible through a 4th floor closet. ✨
When walking up the main staircase, your eyes may be drawn to faint light shining from a skylight above. The skylight room is between the main stairs and the roof - only accessible through a 4th floor closet. ✨
October 21, 2025 at 11:06 PM
The skylight was designed with ventilation in mind. 🌬️
When walking up the main staircase, your eyes may be drawn to faint light shining from a skylight above. The skylight room is between the main stairs and the roof - only accessible through a 4th floor closet. ✨
When walking up the main staircase, your eyes may be drawn to faint light shining from a skylight above. The skylight room is between the main stairs and the roof - only accessible through a 4th floor closet. ✨
Reposted by Kim Bender
How do relationships affect the way people are remembered? After doing research, we’ve learned that the Heurich and Gichner families were actually close friends. The Gichner family business installed the new turret roof in the 1930s.
October 18, 2025 at 11:45 AM
How do relationships affect the way people are remembered? After doing research, we’ve learned that the Heurich and Gichner families were actually close friends. The Gichner family business installed the new turret roof in the 1930s.
Reposted by Kim Bender
Just TWO WEEKS Left to get Early Bird Tickets! 🎟️🎄
Don’t miss your chance for reduced priced tickets for the 14th annual Heurich Christmas Markt — DC’s only multi-day holiday market spotlighting all local makers!
Don’t miss your chance for reduced priced tickets for the 14th annual Heurich Christmas Markt — DC’s only multi-day holiday market spotlighting all local makers!
October 17, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Just TWO WEEKS Left to get Early Bird Tickets! 🎟️🎄
Don’t miss your chance for reduced priced tickets for the 14th annual Heurich Christmas Markt — DC’s only multi-day holiday market spotlighting all local makers!
Don’t miss your chance for reduced priced tickets for the 14th annual Heurich Christmas Markt — DC’s only multi-day holiday market spotlighting all local makers!