Historical Society of Washington DC

I don’t know what the future holds, but the present doesn’t seem so great these days. That’s why some of us prefer getting lost in the past.

A scrum of unassuming media folks ambled into the shiny new Apple Carnegie Library on Thursday morning as dozens of Apple employees in green T-shirts applauded. It was a little surreal.

It’s official: Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) has a flagship store in D.C., and it’s the “most extensive and most ambitious” building conversion the company has ever done, according to Apple officials.

See the Washington Monument like you've never seen it before.

As a company, Apple is less focused on selling stuff. It doesn’t sell as many iPhones as it once did and is more focused on selling subscriptions and services, none of which require a store for purchases or even consideration.

When the new Apple flagship store opens in the Carnegie Library, it won’t be the only place in the Mount Vernon Square building for visitors to explore.

After extensive renovations, the Historical Society of Washington (and Apple) will move in soon.

Washington is filled with two types of people: those committed to preserving history at the incredible museums and universities, and the many politicians and policy wonks, excited to shape the nation’s future. This same mix of past and…