The first Washington Psychoanalytic Society was founded on July 6, 1914, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington, D.C. Although it was the second oldest local society in the United States—New York, founded in 1911, being the first—it did not apply for recognition by the International Psycho-Analytical Association. In May 1930, a new society known as the Washington-Baltimore Psychoanalytic Society was formed, which was recognized by the International. The fiftieth anniversary of the latter founding was celebrated by the Washington Psychoanalytic Society with two meetings.
On September 26, 1980, a dinner meeting was held, with a panel discussion on historical perspectives chaired by Dr. Donald L. Burnham. Dr. Douglas Noble evoked a vivid memory of the founder, Ernest E. Hadley, who worked in a dedicated fashion for the local and national psychoanalytic organizations, and who was especially remembered for his course on dream interpretation. Dr. Robert G. Kvarnes reminisced about Harry S. Sullivan. Dr. Robert A. Cohen gave a warm personal report on Frieda Fromm-Reichmann.
On October 11, 1980, a second dinner meeting was held, to which the Baltimore-D.C. Society was invited. Dr. Hans Loewald, an esteemed graduate of the old Washington-Baltimore Psychoanalytic Institute, spoke on “Regression: Some General Considerations.” Dr. Robert C. Burnham was the formal discussant.