1874

Built in 1874, the city’s first convention center extended the length of 5th Street between K and L Streets, and was known as the Northern Liberty Market. For the time, it was an immense single room that was 324 feet long, 126 feet wide and 84 feet high at the center. The architecturally significant structure featured a curved roof and was supported, without any interior columns, by a series of enormous iron and steel trusses.

1893

A second floor was added to form a large auditorium, with seating for 5,000. The building was renamed "Convention Center" and popularly known as "Convention Hall." The facility operated there for 50 years, hosting revival meetings, fairs, auto shows, roller-skating, bowling and a variety of amusement and sporting events.

1930

By the early 1930’s, Center Market – the city's largest building – was located at Pennsylvania Avenue and 7th Street. It was later demolished for the government's Federal Triangle construction project. Many of that market's vendors moved a half-mile north to the Convention Center building, which was renamed "New Center Market."

1946

The building continued to be used as a marketplace until a huge fire nearly destroyed the entire structure, collapsing the great roof. It was later rebuilt with a flat roof. The facility initially continued as “New Center Market” only to be renamed later “Center Market City.”

1967

In the late 60’s the facility was converted for use by the National Historical Wax Museum. After the museum relocated, the old market stood vacant for several years and was eventually torn down in the mid-1980's.

1969

Plans were later developed by the pre-home rule administration of the District of Columbia to build the "Eisenhower Civic Center" downtown.

1973

Every plan submitted for the "Eisenhower Civic Center" failed to win approval by either potential backers or Congress. The campaign to build the facility lost momentum and was abandoned.

1976

The District's first home rule administration desired to build a convention center downtown.

1978

A compromise was struck between the DC City Council and Congress – the requested amount to finance the Center's start-up was reduced, and the city agreed to institute special hotel taxes and secure development commitments to raise the remaining funds.

1980

Groundbreaking for the previous Washington Convention Center was held and construction began.

1983

The Walter E. Washington Convention Center opened its doors. At that time, it was the 4th largest facility in the United States with 800,000 gross square feet.

1997

Less than 15 years after opening, the Washington Convention Center only ranked as the 30th largest facility in the US. Although more than 85 percent of show managers rebooked and increased their attendance by more than 75 percent, the facility was still too small to compete for a vast majority of national conventions and meetings. Throughout the mid 80’s and 90’s, 30 new convention centers were constructed across the country.

1998

Groundbreaking ceremonies are held for construction of the new Washington Convention Center.

2003

The new Walter E. Washington Convention Center, just two blocks from the city's original 1874 site, opens to tremendous fanfare and promise.

2004

In its first year of operation, the new Walter E. Washington Convention Center accolades such as being named Best New Convention Center by Meetings East Magazine and rave reviews from clients. The facility hosted nearly 1 million visitors and generated $426.5 million in delegate spending.