Dupont Underground
Dupont Underground is a former trolley station converted into an art space
Dupont Underground is a former trolley station that is currently undergoing transformation to make it into an arts and events space. It sits below Dupont Circle and above the metro station.
This tour is one of the coolest things I’ve done recently. Learning about the history of this space, experiencing the way they are incorporating various types and mediums of art into the tunnels, and seeing the potential for future uses was interesting and fun.
The first section of the tour takes place on the east platform. It is fairly well-lit and has several spray-painted murals. A recent break-in resulted in unwanted graffiti throughout the tunnels. Local street artists were recruited to quickly create murals for this section of the platform, and the square grid of subway tiles helped the artists transfer their designs to the walls.
The first exhibit at Dupont Underground was an interactive art installation reusing the balls from the National Building Museum’s summer 2015 “The BEACH” exhibition. Part of this installation remains on the east platform.
The space is great for wire art by Baltimore street artist Reed Bmore. You can play with the art using your flashlight to cast shadows in the dimly lit space. In light of recent events in DC, I particularly liked this piece of Bill from Schoolhouse Rock.
Flashlights are required for a good portion of the tour, making it more of an adventure to see and engage with the art pieces spread throughout the tunnels.
Wear shoes you don’t mind getting dusty – the space is still pretty industrial. I imagine the tour will keep evolving as new art is added and new sections are renovated. I definitely recommend you check out this tour while you can.
History
In 1949, the tunnels were opened as a streetcar station. The streetcar ceased running in 1962, after which the tunnels mostly sat empty except for a brief stint as a fallout shelter in the late 1960s. The tunnel is too close to the street to be repurposed as a metro tunnel – it is only 5-8 feet below street level. Check out this graphic from the Washington Post detailing the layout of the tunnels.
In the 1990s, a food court was set up on the west platform but a combination of the uninviting location and bad business practices quickly led to its demise. The former owner went bankrupt and left in a hurry, leaving almost everything behind.
Many local naysayers assume Dupont Underground will fail like its predecessor, but I optimistically look forward to concerts, movies, immersive art experiences, and other creative uses of the tunnels.
Don’t miss the dentist chair in the old women’s bathroom. How did it get there? And why?!
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Address
1900 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Metro Station
- Dupont Circle (RD)
Directions
The directions on their website say their entrance is at New Hampshire Avenue on the Northeast side of the Circle, across from the Dupont Hotel and in front of 11 Dupont Circle. However for my tour, I entered on 19th Street NW by the Starbucks.
Cost
My tour was $15, but this will likely vary depending on the type of tour or event.
Hours
Currently only open for scheduled tours and events. Tour hours are typically offered in the evenings and on the weekends.
Length of Adventure
My tour lasted about 1 hour, but this will likely vary depending on the type of tour or event.
