Buckingham Historic District facts for kids
|
Buckingham Historic District
|
|
Buckingham Apartment Complex, HABS Photo
|
|
 Location in District of Columbia
Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Bounded by 11th, S. Edison, S. Dinwiddie, S. Columbus, S. George Mason, and S. Frederick St., and later expanded with boundary increases Arlington, Virginia |
|---|---|
| Area | 123.1 acres (49.8 ha) |
| Built | 1937-1941 |
| Built by | Paramount Communities Inc. |
| Architect | Wright, Henry; Kamstra, Allan Foeke; Lueders, Albert |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival |
| MPS | Garden Apartments, Apartment Houses and Apartment Complexes in Arlington County, Virginia MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 98001649, 04000048 (Boundary Increase), 10000092 (Boundary Increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | January 21, 1999, February 11, 2004 (Boundary Increase), March 23, 2010 (Boundary Increase) |
The Buckingham Historic District is a special neighborhood in Arlington County, Virginia. It is recognized as a historic district because of its important buildings. Most of these buildings are garden apartments. They were built between 1937 and 1953.
Contents
Exploring the Buckingham Historic District
The Buckingham Historic District is home to 151 important buildings. These buildings are mostly two or three stories tall. They are made of brick. Many of them are designed in the Colonial Revival style. This style looks back to the architecture of early American homes.
What are Garden Apartments?
The buildings in Buckingham are often called "garden apartments." This means they are built around U-shaped courtyards. These courtyards usually have green spaces or gardens. This design creates a nice community feel. It also gives residents outdoor areas to enjoy.
Different Building Styles
While most buildings are Colonial Revival, there is one unique three-story brick building. It was built in the International Style. This style is known for its clean lines and simple shapes. Besides apartments, the district also has other buildings. These include a community center, four single-family homes, and several commercial buildings.
Protecting History in Buckingham
The buildings in the Buckingham Historic District are important. That is why they have received special protection.
Local Protection
The local government in Arlington County started protecting some of these buildings in 1993. They created the Buckingham Village Historic District. This local district includes buildings from Villages 3-12 and the commercial area. This helps make sure these historic places are preserved.
National Recognition
The National Park Service also recognized the Buckingham Historic District. They listed it on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. This is a national list of places important to American history. The district's listing was expanded in 2004 and again in 2010. This means more of its historic buildings are now officially recognized.
Changes Over Time
Sadly, some of the original Buckingham buildings have been torn down. This includes buildings in Villages 1 and 2. The historic district designations help protect the remaining buildings. They remind us of the area's unique history and architecture.
