General Federation of Women's Clubs Headquarters facts for kids
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General Federation of Women's Clubs Headquarters
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The GFWC Headquarters building in 2020.
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 Location in Washington, D.C.
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1734 N St., NW, Washington, D.C. |
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| Architectural style | Renaissance |
| Website | General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC) Headquarters |
| NRHP reference No. | 91002057 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 4, 1991 |
| Designated NHL | December 4, 1991 |
The General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC) Headquarters, also known as the Miles Mansion, is a historic building in Washington, D.C. It was built in 1875 as a private home but has been the main office for the GFWC since 1922. Because of its connection to this important group, the building was named a National Historic Landmark in 1991. A National Historic Landmark is a place recognized by the U.S. government for its major historical importance.
The GFWC is an organization that connects women's clubs from all over the world. It was started in the 19th century to help women work together to improve their communities. If you visit the headquarters, you can take a tour to learn about the GFWC's work. You can also see historic rooms and special exhibits of art and photographs.
History of the Building
The GFWC headquarters is a large, four-story stone building located near Dupont Circle. It was designed in a style called Renaissance Revival, which was popular in the 1800s.
The house was first built in 1875 for a high-ranking naval officer named Rear Admiral William Radford. At that time, the Dupont Circle neighborhood was becoming a popular place for wealthy families to live.
Famous Owners
Over the years, the mansion had several interesting owners.
- In 1895, the state of Massachusetts bought the house and gave it to General Nelson A. Miles as a gift for his service in the military. This is why it is often called the "Miles Mansion."
- Later, it was owned by John Jay White, a big-game hunter who was friends with President Theodore Roosevelt. White hired an artist named Albert Herter to paint large murals, which are still on some of the walls today.
In 1922, the GFWC bought the house to use as its headquarters, and it has been there ever since.
What is the GFWC?
The General Federation of Women's Clubs, or GFWC, was founded in 1890. It acts as an "umbrella organization," which means it brings together thousands of smaller women's clubs from across the country and around the world.
Members of these clubs are leaders in their local areas. They work on projects to make life better for women, children, and families. For example, they fight against problems like domestic violence and hunger. They also encourage healthy living.
The GFWC also supports many other causes. Club members help protect the environment, promote education and the arts, and work toward world peace.
See also
