Southwest Washington, D.C., is a defined neighborhood even without a proper name; the quadrant has a clear border southwest of the U.S. Capitol Building, nestled along the oldest waterfront in the city. Its physical delineations have defined it as a community for more than 250 years, beginning in the mid-1700s with emerging farms. By the mid-1800s, a thriving urban, residential, and commercial neighborhood was supported by the waterfront where Washingtonians bought seafood and produce right off the boats. In the 1920s and 1930s, an aging housing stock and an overcrowded city led to an increase of African Americans and Jewish immigrants who became self-sufficient within their own communities. However, political pressures and radical urban planning concepts in the 1950s led to the large-scale razing of most of SW, creating a new community with what was then innovative apartment and cooperative living constructed with such unusual building materials as aluminum.

As the country prepared for World War II, the nation's capital became a focal point of activity. Washington residents witnessed the local population nearly double in a few short years, as a mostly female work force descended on the city, while its male population was sent off to combat in Europe and the Pacific. Washingtonians planted victory gardens, ran scrap drives, and suffered the effects of severe rationing along with the rest of the nation, while military personnel manned antiaircraft batteries around the city. New government agencies were created and existing ones expanded dramatically-most doubled their workforce and constructed hundreds of temporary facilities on the Mall and throughout the city. Washington also witnessed the construction of the largest office building in the world, the Pentagon, which was completed in just 16 months. Washington, D.C.: The World War II Years captures nearly 200 fascinating images from this era. These archival photographs chronicle the beginning stages of war preparation, little known civic defense organizations, VE and VJ celebratory parades, and the overall spirit of the continually persevering capital city.