This year, we’re rolling out the red carpet for a century’s worth of icons, from architectural marvels to legendary figures. Celebrating their 100th birthdays, we honor the historical building in Dupont Circle that houses Interior Matter, esteemed Leica camera brand, Chicago’s iconic Wrigley Building, New York City’s beloved Russ & Daughters, and the ever-inspiring President Jimmy Carter. Join us as we toast to a century of remarkable stories, timeless elegance, and enduring legacies. Here’s to 100 years of making history and continuing to inspire!

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Happy 100th birthday to our beloved studio at 1724 20th Street NW! We’ve had the pleasure of calling this historical and incredibly beautiful building home for almost four years and we love being here every day.  

A few highlights of the last 100 years at 1724 20th Street Northwest:

• Home to the New Playwrights Theatre (a.k.a. “NPT”) started by the late, great Harry Bagdasian and his co-founder, Ken Bloom. The theatre group occupied the basement level of the building, performing shows for intimate crowds as part of DC’s small theatre movement of the mid-1970s. Read more about Harry’s story here.
• Home to DC’s first gay bookstore – Lambda Rising. First known as Earthworks, a head shop with gay books and periodicals, Lambda Rising was founded in 1974 by activist L. Page “Deacon” Maccubbin and his partner, Jim Bennet. Learn more about the history here.
• Lambda Rising and the community that developed around the shop inspired DC’s first pride festival in 1975, called Gay Pride Day, held outside right on our block along 20th street. This recent piece by WUSA shares the story and includes old footage of the space and current interviews.

HUBBA BUBBA

The Wrigley Building, a beloved Chicago landmark, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024. Completed in 1924, this iconic structure was commissioned by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. to serve as the headquarters for his thriving company. It was the first air-conditioned office building in Chicago! The building’s distinctive clock tower and elegant Spanish Colonial Revival style towers, designed by architects Graham, Anderson, Probst & White, are covered in white terracotta. Throughout its century, the Wrigley Building has undergone renovations and ownership changes. Still, it remains a treasured part of Chicago’s skyline and a testament to the enduring legacy of American entrepreneurship.

PEANUTS TO PEACE

President Jimmy Carter’s remarkable century-long journey is a testament to service, humility, and dedication. From peanut farmer to the 39th President of the United States, he championed human rights and environmental conservation. Post-presidency, his tireless work with The Carter Center earned him a Nobel Peace Prize. Carter’s life is a legacy of unwavering commitment to peace, democracy, and humanitarian efforts.  And did you know he is the first US president to be born in a hospital?

LEICA PRAYER

As Leica celebrates its 100th birthday, it’s still trying to figure out how to take a selfie without a mirror or a really long selfie stick. From its humble beginnings in Ernst Leitz’s German microscope factory, Leica revolutionized photography with its compact and portable 35mm cameras, allowing shutterbugs to snap pictures anytime, anywhere. Over the past century, Leica cameras have captured countless historic moments, from World War II to the moon landing, and have survived the digital revolution. Now, as Leica blows out 100 candles on its birthday cake, we can only imagine the stories its lenses would tell if they could talk.

RUSS & DAUGHTERS, NEW YORK

Russ & Daughters, the iconic Jewish appetizing shop on New York’s Lower East Side, celebrates a remarkable milestone in 2024: 100 years of serving up the finest smoked fish, bagels, and traditional delicacies. This family-owned business founded by Joel Russ, has become a beloved institution known for its dedication to quality and its role in preserving Jewish culinary heritage. In recent years, Russ & Daughters has expanded beyond its original East Houston Street shop, opening a fabulous cafe that has quickly become a must-visit destination for food lovers. As they commemorate a century of deliciousness, Russ & Daughters continues to be a shining example of the enduring spirit of New York City’s food scene.

Upon Return is your gateway to a world where each destination is a narrative waiting to unfold.

Wonder less. Wander more.