The earliest known inhabitants of Anacostia were the Algonquian-speaking Nacotchtank, who settled in the area owing to its proximity to the Eastern Branch (Anacostia River).

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In 1608, Captain John Smith reported visiting a Nacotchtank village in present-day Anacostia.

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Fast-forward to 1854, when Uniontown was established. Located at the foot of the Navy Yard Bridge (now the 11th Street Bridge); just across the river from the Navy Yard and Capitol Hill, Uniontown is recognized as Washington's first suburb. It was founded by ... Griswold, developed the planned community for middle-class workers desiring suburban living.

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With the help of community advocates, Anacostia was first designated a historic district in 1973; one of the first in the District of Columbia. The Anacostia Historic District was later expanded and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

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Today, alongside members of the Historic Anacostia community, HAPS seeks to expand the borders of the Anacostia Historic District to ensure that the neighborhood's historic structures are protected and preserved for the generations to come.

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