Dumbarton House Wins Award for Sustainable Practices

Dumbarton House, an historic property located at 2715 Q St., NW in Georgetown, was honored this week by Mayor Vincent Gray with a  2013 Mayor’s Sustainability Award. 
“The District is taking its place as a national and international leader in urban sustainability because of the innovative ideas and civic commitment of people who care deeply about our community and our environment,” said Mayor Gray. 

Gray recognized nine individuals, businesses and civic organizations for "demonstrating outstanding achievements and leadership in sustainable practices," according to a press release.

Dumbarton House was the only awardee from Georgetown. 

The historic home purchases 100 percent wind power for electricity usage and 100 percent carbon offsets for their natural gas usage. Bridgitte Rodguez, the membership manager for Dumbarton House, told Patch they make small changes every day — from using recycled materials to purchasing CFL lightbulbs — to forward their sustainability. 

Rodguez said they really started focusing on sustainability practices about three or four years ago and are now formalizing their efforts in the plans for the site.

She said being recognized by the mayor was particularly rewarding since the changes they have made have been much smaller and perhaps more "boring" than some of the other awardees.

"You don't  have to spend money to go green," she said. "Small little things do add up. You can make a difference."

Dumbarton House recently received a grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities to do an HVAC study, the results of which could be a huge undertaking. Depending on the study and available funds they might decide to geothermal or to install solar panels, she told Patch.

"We don't have gobs of money," she said, but they try to look at "how can we do that within our budget and historic property?"

You can visit Dumbarton House Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  and learn more at: dumbartonhouse.org/.