General Oliver Otis Howard House facts for kids
|
General Oliver Otis Howard House
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Washington, D.C.
|
|
| Location | 607 Howard Pl., NW (campus of Howard University), Washington, D.C. |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1867 |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| NRHP reference No. | 74002163 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | February 12, 1974 |
| Designated NHL | May 30, 1974 |
The General Oliver Otis Howard House, also called Howard Hall, is a very old and important house. It's the oldest building still standing at Howard University in Washington, D.C.. This house was built in 1867. It was the home of General Oliver Otis Howard, who helped start Howard University and was its third president. In 1974, this house was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a special place in American history.
About Howard Hall
The General Oliver Otis Howard House is on the west side of the Howard University campus. It's a 2-1/2 story building made of painted brick. The house has a special roof called a mansard roof. This roof allows for a full third floor inside the house.
A three-story tower sticks out from one corner of the house. This tower has a small fence around its top. The windows are shaped with rounded tops. The roof also has fancy dormer windows. Inside, some parts of the house still look original. Other parts have been changed into modern offices.
The House's History
This house was built in 1867 for General Oliver Otis Howard. It is the only building left from the very first buildings of Howard University. The university officially started in 1867. At that time, General Howard was working for the government. He was a commissioner for the federal Freedmen's Bureau.
General Howard's Role
The Freedmen's Bureau was a government agency. It helped newly freed African Americans after the Civil War. General Howard strongly believed in better education for these people. He was also a member of a church in Washington. His church helped create Howard University. They wanted it to be a school for teachers and religious studies.
Howard University bought General Howard's house in 1909. Today, it remains an important part of the university's history.
