George Washington reported to his diary that he “. . . tarried for a thankful rest at Clean Drinking’s hospitable hearth.” The Village of North Chevy Chase occupies only 64.5 acres of the original Clean Drinking plantation, a colonial land grant of more than a thousand acres, but it continues the tradition of offering hospitality at its hearths—now to the lucky families (three generations in some cases) who make their homes here. The clean drinking spring from which the plantation derived its name still bubbles close by in Rock Creek Park.

The development of North Chevy Chase began in the first years of the 20th century when entrepreneur William H. Walker laid out dirt roads and cinder walkways, provided kerosene lamps for street illumination, and offered lots for sale. His enterprise was successful. In 1920, the residents of the growing community formed a Citizens Committee of five members. Four years later, they incorporated their community as a special taxing area with the name Village of North Chevy Chase and to be governed by a five-member Citizens Committee. That status prevailed for almost three-quarters of a century. In 1995, the village voted to become a chartered municipality— still to be governed by a five-member committee elected each May by the residents.

With a manager to handle day-to-day operations, the village provides trash and leaf collection, snow removal, response to storm damage, and maintenance of roadways, sidewalks, and some 270 trees.

“This is a good community,” is the general sentiment of residents, and they ensure that it stays that way by being actively involved in all that happens in and around their village. Citizens of North Chevy Chase campaigned successfully to have an elementary school built across the way from the village’s Jones Bridge Road boundary. They organized the North Chevy Chase Swimming Association, with pools and tennis courts. They lobbied to have Kensington Parkway, the main village thoroughfare, closed to Capital Beltway traffic. They enlisted the aid of nearby business interests in planting the median of Connecticut Avenue with flowering trees.

There is no commercial enterprise within North Chevy Chase, but the world renowned National Institutes of Health, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the National Audubon Society’s Woodend Bird Sanctuary are neighbors.

“We’re convenient to everything,” one resident said. “Tree-shaded biking and hiking trails are all around us. We can walk to the library and the shopping center. We’re close enough to Washington to take advantage of all the cultural activities in the nation’s capital. Public transportation is handy, and we are only minutes from the Beltway.”

“This is a safe haven,” said another resident, who has lived in North Chevy Chase for forty years. “It is a blessed village of happy memories.”