Kensington Historic District

Kensington Historic District is a residential area in Montgomery County featuring tree-lined streets, curved brick sidewalks, and spacious residential properties. Most buildings date from the late 1800s and early 1900s and display Victorian and Colonial Revival architectural styles.

The district was officially incorporated as a town in 1894 and developed from agricultural land into an affluent residential community near Washington, D.C. This transformation reflects the suburban expansion that was reshaping the region during that period.

The neighborhood displays numerous houses from the late 1800s and early 1900s with wraparound porches, stained glass windows, and detailed architectural flourishes. These features shape how the streets feel today and reflect the tastes of families who built their homes here over a century ago.

The district is best explored on foot, taking time for slow walks through its winding streets to appreciate the surroundings. Daytime visits work well for seeing the architectural details and garden landscaping that define each property.

At the heart of the area stands the Kensington House for the Blind, a specialized building that reveals a less obvious social purpose of the neighborhood. This structure shows that the district served purposes beyond typical residential living.