Blanche K. Bruce House facts for kids
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Blanche K. Bruce House
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 Location in Washington, D.C.
Location in the United States
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| Location | 909 M St., NW, Washington, D.C. |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1865 |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| NRHP reference No. | 75002046 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 15, 1975 |
| Designated NHL | May 15, 1975 |
The Blanche K. Bruce House is an important historic home located at 909 M Street NW in Washington, D.C.. This house was built in 1865. It was once the home of Blanche K. Bruce, a remarkable man born into slavery. He made history as the first African American to serve a full term in the United States Senate. Because of his important role in history, the house was named a National Historic Landmark in 1975.
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What is the Blanche K. Bruce House?
The Blanche K. Bruce House is in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, D.C. It sits on the north side of M Street, between 9th and 10th Streets. This building is actually one half of a duplex, meaning it's one of two connected homes.
Exploring the House's Design
The house has 3 and a half stories and is built with strong brick walls. It also has a special type of roof called a mansard roof. This roof style allows for a full fourth floor inside the attic space. Both halves of the duplex look very similar from the outside.
The house was built in 1865. Its design is a good example of the Second Empire style, which was popular at that time. We don't know who designed the house, but its architecture shows the styles of the mid-1800s.
Who Was Blanche K. Bruce?
Blanche K. Bruce was born into slavery in 1841. Despite this difficult start, he achieved incredible things. He became a United States Senator for Mississippi. He served in the Senate from 1875 to 1881.
Bruce's Historic Role in the Senate
Senator Bruce was the very first African American to complete a full term in the U.S. Senate. This was a huge step forward for civil rights in America. During his time in the Senate, he even served briefly as the person in charge of the Senate meetings in 1879. He was the only former slave to ever hold this position.
What Did Senator Bruce Do?
As a senator, Blanche K. Bruce worked hard for important causes. He pushed for the United States Army to become integrated, meaning people of all races could serve together. He also supported policies that helped poor African Americans, especially those who had recently gained their freedom.
After his term in the Senate ended in 1881, Bruce stayed in Washington, D.C. He continued to serve the public in other roles. He worked as the city's recorder of deeds and was a trustee for Howard University. His life story shows great strength and dedication to public service.
