The area that became the town of Kensington was an established farming settlement when the Metropolitan Branch of the B&O Railroad arrived in 1873. In 1890, Washington financier Brainard Warner started a residential development to the south of the original settlement, gaining impetus for his enterprise the following year from the building of a new railroad station that made it easier for residents to commute to Washington, D.C. It was in 1891, too, that Warner built his turreted Handley Hall in the community, setting the standard for those who were to follow. The community was known then as Knowles Station, but Warner was so impressed by the beauty of Kensington Gardens during a visit to London that he persuaded his neighbors to change the name to Kensington.

Today, the town retains its original political boundary of less than a square mile. It is surrounded by suburbs but still benefits from the availability of convenient transportation—now in the form of buses, the metro, and the nearby Washington beltway. The town relies on Montgomery County for some services, but it manages many of its own, including the department of public works. It maintains nine mature town parks in an expression of its high regard for natural greenery in public spaces.

Kensington treasures its history. In 1980 a portion of the town was placed on the National Register of Historic Places as a well preserved garden suburb dating to the transition from the 19th century to the 20th century. Antique Row, a section of the historic area, is a distinctive part of Kensington's business district. That district has a wide range of specialty shops as well as those offering the necessities of daily life—grocery store, hardware store, and post office— all within walking distance of the residences. The town adopted a motto during its 1994 Centennial Celebration: “Where the train still stops . . . And the people still walk.”

More than a century after their town’s incorporation, Kensington residents prize the charm and historic character that has been maintained in close proximity to the city bustle of Washington. Still preserved are the tree-lined streets, gardens, and open spaces that hark back to Kensington’s early years.