The Ruppert Family
Legacy Families of Washington, D.C.
The Historical Society of Washington, D.C. is proud to announce that the Ruppert Family will receive a Making D.C. History Award for Legacy Families of Washington, D.C. at the Making D.C. History Awards on Thursday, September 28, 2017.
Over the past five years, the Historical Society has honored twenty-two Washingtonians and D.C.-based organizations whose enduring contributions to our community have helped create, define, and keep our city’s heritage.
On Thursday, September 28, 2017, the Historical Society welcomes five more history makers to the growing list of distinguished honorees, recognized for their contributions to the fabric of life in Washington, D.C.
About the Ruppert Family
Six generations of the Ruppert family have called Washington home since 1856. That’s the year Henry Ruppert emigrated from Germany, soon establishing himself as a butcher and purveyor of smoked meats. He bought nine acres on Sherman Avenue and with his wife Gertrude Klee Ruppert raised seven children there. One son, Frank, opened a hardware store in the 1000 block of Seventh Street in 1894, establishing a family presence on that block that would last almost 120 years. The Sherman Avenue land became the basis for Frank and his brother John’s real estate business, which originally operated out of the hardware store. The Ruppert real estate business, specializing in property management, sales, and rentals, continues strong today, run by Frank’s grandson and great-grandson. Along the way, Henry Ruppert’s descendants have strengthened and enriched Washington’s cultural scene with a number of taverns and restaurants, including Room 11, Petworth Citizen, and Slim’s Diner, theater spaces, Upshur Street Books, and the 48-Hour Film Project, an international film-making competition.
For their thoughtful and successful entrepreneurial pursuits since 1856, the Ruppert Family is the recipient of the 2017 Legacy Families of Washington, D.C. Award.
About the Making D.C. History Awards
The Making D.C. History Awards is an annual event that supports the mission of the Historical Society and honors it as one of the city’s most important locally focused cultural institutions.
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Presented at the Knight Conference Center of the Newseum.
Honoree Reception
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Champagne and hors d’oeuvres with complimentary valet parking
Awards Presentation
7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Seated dinner and awards ceremony hosted by Wendy Rieger, NBC4 News
Honoree Celebration
9:00 – 10:30 p.m.
Open bar & entertainment
Other Making D.C. History Award recipients include:
- Di and Lou Stovall
Distinction in Artistic Achievement
- Eleanor Holmes Norton
Distinction in Civic Leadership
- José Andrés
Distinction in Corporate Achievement
- Douglas Development Corp.
Distinction in Historic Preservation