American Legation, Tangier facts for kids
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American Legation
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Courtyard of the Legation
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| Location | Tangier, Morocco |
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| Built | 1821 |
| Architectural style | Moorish architecture |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000703 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 8, 1981 |
| Designated NHL | December 17, 1982 |
The Tangier American Legation is a special building in the old city (called the medina) of Tangier, Morocco. It was the very first property owned by the United States government outside of the United States.
This building shows the long and friendly history between the United States and the Kingdom of Morocco. Today, it is officially known as the Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies. It works as a cultural center, a museum, and a research library. It focuses on studying the Arabic language and Moroccan culture.
The Legation was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on January 8, 1981. This means it is recognized as an important historical place. Later, on December 17, 1982, it was named a National Historic Landmark. This is an even higher honor for historical sites. It is the only place outside the U.S. to have this special title. The U.S. Secretary of State also listed it on the Register of Culturally Significant Property. This list includes important cultural or historical buildings owned by the State Department around the world.
A Place of Friendship and History
The Legation building is built in a beautiful Moorish style. It has walls covered in a special plaster called stucco. The main part of this complex building is a two-story structure made of mud and stone.
This building was given to the United States in 1821 by Sultan Moulay Suliman. It was the first property the U.S. government ever owned in another country. For 140 years, it served as the United States Legation and Consulate. This is the longest time any U.S. diplomatic office has stayed in one building abroad.
The Legation is a symbol of the 1786 Moroccan–American Treaty of Friendship. This treaty is an agreement between the two countries to be friends and work together. It is still active today! Over the years, the Legation complex grew bigger as nearby houses were bought and added. During World War II, it was even used as a secret headquarters for U.S. intelligence agents.
In 1956, Morocco became independent, and the main diplomatic offices moved to Rabat. The Legation building was no longer used for official diplomatic work. For a while, it was used for other things, like offices for the Peace Corps. But over time, it started to be neglected and was even in danger of being torn down.
The Legation Today
In 1976, a group of American citizens decided to save the Old American Legation. They started a non-profit group to protect it. Today, this group, called the Tangier American Legation Museum Society, rents the building. The building is still owned by the United States government.
The Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies (TALIM) is now a museum and cultural center. It is a place to learn about Morocco and the history between Morocco and the United States. The museum has many paintings by artists like Marguerite McBey.
In 2010, TALIM made a special area called The Paul Bowles Wing. This part of the museum has three rooms dedicated to Paul Bowles. He was an American writer and composer who lived in Tangier for many years. The museum also has a research library and a room for meetings.
TALIM also helps the local community. They offer Arabic language classes for women who live in the Tangier medina. John Davison is the current director of the museum.
See also
In Spanish: Museo del Legado Americano para niños
