Just two years after the opening of the Allan P. Kirby Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship in Washington, D.C., Hillsdale College can now boast of a second acquisition on Capitol Hill.
A donor gave the college a row house last month for use as student housing for the Washington-Hillsdale Internship Program.
In the past, most WHIP students lived in the Heritage Foundation building across the street from the Kirby Center, or in other self-selected housing.
“Program members being so far apart made it difficult for a sense of community to form around the Kirby Center,” said Program Manager and Research Associate Anna Dunham. “Ownership of the building will help keep Hillsdale students in contact with one another. The beautiful 112-year-old Victorian building was recently renovated by the previous owners. For a time it functioned as a bed and breakfast. After that, the rooms were being rented out before we acquired it.”
The house, which is near the Kirby Center, has four separate apartments and can hold between 12 and 20 WHIP students at a time.
“The living rooms for each apartment are quite large,” Dunham said. “There are also full kitchens.”
Hillsdale students were update about the new house. Sophomore Nick Allen plans on applying for WHIP this summer.
“I think it’s a smart move by the college,” said sophomore Nick Allen, who plans on applying for WHIP this summer. “It further assists the future of its students, which is in Hillsdale’s long-term interest.”
Students previously in WHIP expressed their support for the acquisition.
“Living at the Heritage Foundation kept us from spending a lot of time at the Kirby Center,” said junior John Brooks. “It seems to me that the addition of this building will go further in making the Kirby Center into a small campus.”
As early as this summer, WHIP students will be enjoying the wireless internet, air conditioning, new washers and dryers, and full furnishings featured in the building. Rent will be $850 per month.
“There are several functions we hold at the Kirby Center for students,” Dunham said. “It will be easier for them to attend when they are so close.”
The house is close to Union Station and famous buildings like the Supreme Court, Library of Congress, and historic St. Joseph’s Church.
Nearly 30 Hillsdale students will be participating in the WHIP program this summer. The WHIP program is still accepting applications for the summer and fall.
