Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 02/15/1977
NRHP Listing Date 05/11/1976
NHL Listing Date 05/11/1976
NRHP Reference Number 76002095
Charles Richard Drew, M.D. (1904-1950) was one of the pioneers of American medicine. This African American physician’s research and discoveries concerning blood plasma on the brink of World War II led to saving the lives of thousands of American soldiers. Born in Washington, D.C., Drew received the degree of Doctor of Medicine and Master of Surgery from McGill University in Montreal. He later taught at Howard University and attended graduate school at Columbia University. Upon graduating from Columbia in 1940, Dr. Drew became America’s first Black to receive a Doctor of Science degree in surgery. At Columbia, Drew and his aides made the breakthrough discovery that with proper preparation blood plasma could be safely stored almost indefinitely, making plasma immediately available to victims on the battlefield. This Arlington dwelling in the Penrose Historic District was Dr. Drew’s home between 1920 and 1939.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: August 10, 2022
