Dan Gross/The Gazette Joan Marsh, archivist for the Chevy Chase Historical Society, holds up one of the artifacts -- the deed for a house in Chevy Chase -- held in the society's new archives at Chevy Chase Library.

One girl's hands are folded neatly in front of her, as she peers out from under a black, broad-brimmed hat with a serious expression on her face. The other girl is clasping her hands behind her back and wearing a calf-length dress with a sailor collar, a small sash and a matching bow in her hair.

Viewers can glean a sense of the fashion, etiquette and architecture of the early 20th century from the photo. It is part of a collection in an archive that opened Tuesday at Chevy Chase Library, 8005 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase.

Chevy Chase Historical Society created the archive with about 2,000 photos, 80 oral histories, maps, artifacts, history books, newspaper clippings and house records.

"I just think these things are fun. I get a kick out of it," said Joan Marsh of Chevy Chase, who helped to organize the archive. "It's a learning experience, an ongoing learning experience."

The photos include images of hunting hounds, debutantes, streetcars, churches, Chevy Chase Lake and the opening of the 4-H Center in Chevy Chase.

The collection of artifacts includes a 1916 real estate brochure, a volunteer aid manual from the World War I era, and a hostess book from the Women's Club of Chevy Chase that lists meals served and grocery prices.

Visitors to the archive can also view an 1815 topographical map, 1876 property map, 1927 grading plan and 1951 street map.

Chevy Chase began as a bedroom community for politicians and others who spent a lot of time in Washington and rode streetcars to quiet communities in the surrounding area.

Francis Newlands and William Stewart, two future senators from Nevada, founded Chevy Chase Land Company in 1890. The company bought 1,700 acres of farmland and divided it into five sections.

Angela Lancaster of Chevy Chase, president of Chevy Chase Historical Society, said her favorite part of the archives is the oral histories, preserved in cassette tapes and written transcriptions. "It brings the early days of Chevy Chase alive for me. I just love reading their words and listening to them," she said.

Lancaster said the new archive makes historical information more accessible to the public.

"We're trying to get a more public face, obviously, and make our records and archives available to the public," she said. "It's wonderful that we were able to get the space in the library."

"It's wonderful that we have so much space, and we can store things properly," Marsh said.

Until now, various records and bits of Chevy Chase history were stored in the attics of historical society members. Anyone who wanted to see certain items would have to call the members who had them and ask to visit their homes.

Chevy Chase Historical Society worked for several years to find a location for the archive, renovate the space, move the materials and catalog everything.

Renovating two rooms at the library and the move cost $90,000.

The historical society aims to raise $350,000 for the archive, and it has raised about $250,000 so far. The money will go toward purchasing equipment, such as a copier and computer software, and putting historical materials online, Lancaster said.

In addition to being an archive, the space at the library will serve as the historical society's headquarters.

The historical society welcomes additions to its collection, especially old photos, house histories and resident biographies. Residents can call the archive to obtain information about donating items.

"Lots of people have things in their houses," Marsh said.

The archive is open 1-5 p.m. Wednesdays and by appointment. Call 301-656-6141.