RCC Overview

The Russian Cultural Centre (RCC) in Washington DC is part of
Rusintercenter (Roszarubezhtsentr) – an independent agency within the structure of Russian Foreign Ministry which promotes international cooperation in Science, Culture and Education, usually referred to also as People diplomacy organization. Today Rusintercenter has a network of Cultural Centers in 62 countries around the world. In 2005 Rusintercenter marked its 80th anniversary

The Russian Cultural Centre in Washington DC is the official home of Russian Culture in the United States. It opened in December 1999 following the Bilateral Agreement between the Governments of the United States and Russia. The RCC main goal is to develop positive relations between Russia and the USA in the 21st century. Our Moto is “Let Our Two Nations Never Again Polarize”.

Russian Cultural Centre provides cultural, humanitarian and language programs for Russians and Americans. It presents the lifestyle, cultural and historic heritage of Russia in the United States. The Centre offers its visitors information about Russia, books and magazines, art exhibits, film series, Russian language classes, cultural events and much more.

At RCC you will find native Russian-speaking tutors with extensive experience teaching Russian Language to foreign students, three libraries with a wide variety of books and media, Russian movie video tapes and DVDs.

Russian Cultural Centre welcomes everyone – from American community members, those interested in Russian lifestyle to Russian citizens and compatriots who are willing to preserve and develop their native culture.

RCC is currently supervised by Head of Department of the Russian Cultural Centre Evgeny N. Agoshkov

About the Building on 1825 Phelps Place

Built in 1895, an early American occupant was Evalyn Walsh McLean, Washington socialite who owned the Hope Diamond and Washington Post.

In the 1950s the building on 1825 Phelps Place was purchased by the Soviet Government as a school for Embassy children.

The building later became the Russian Embassy Consulate where Americans, traveling to Russia, would go to receive their visas.

Following the Bilateral Agreement, the Russian Government designated 1825 Phelps as the new Russian Cultural Centre.

Restoring the building took 22 months, March 1998 - December 1999