Larz Anderson House facts for kids
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Anderson House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Exterior view of Anderson House in 2023
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 Location in Washington, D.C.
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| Location | 2118 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. |
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| Built | 1902–1905 |
| Architect | Little & Browne |
| Architectural style | Beaux-Arts |
| Part of | Massachusetts Avenue Historic District (ID74002166) |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000993 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 7, 1971 |
| Designated NHL | June 19, 1996 |
Anderson House, also known as Larz Anderson House, is a beautiful old mansion in Washington, D.C.. It is located on Massachusetts Avenue, a street famous for its many embassies. This grand house was built a long time ago, between 1902 and 1905.
Today, Anderson House is home to the Society of the Cincinnati. This group is an international organization. The house also has a special library. This library focuses on military and naval history from the 17th and 18th centuries. You can also visit Anderson House as a museum. It shows what life was like in Washington, D.C., in the early 1900s.
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History of Anderson House
Anderson House was built as a winter home. It belonged to Larz Anderson and his wife, Isabel Weld Perkins. Larz Anderson was an American diplomat. A diplomat is someone who represents their country in other nations. Isabel Weld Perkins was an author. She also volunteered for the American Red Cross.
Building the Mansion
The house was designed by architects Arthur Little and Herbert W. C. Browne. They were from Boston, Massachusetts. They designed the house in a style called Beaux-Arts. This style is known for being grand and fancy. It often includes classical details.
Life in the Anderson House
The Andersons used their home to host many important people. They entertained leaders from America and other countries. They also showed off their amazing collection of art. They had many historic items too. The couple collected these treasures during their travels. They traveled all over the world for 40 years.
Larz and Isabel Anderson did not have any children. Larz Anderson passed away in 1937. After his death, his wife gave the house and everything inside it to the Society of the Cincinnati. Larz Anderson had been a dedicated member of this society for over 40 years.
Anderson House as a Museum
The Society of the Cincinnati opened Anderson House as a museum in 1939. The house was recognized as an important historic place in 1971. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Later, in 1996, it was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very special place in American history.
Today, Anderson House still serves the Society of the Cincinnati. It is also a museum and a library for everyone to enjoy.
Visiting the Museum
When you visit Anderson House, you can explore the first two floors. These floors are decorated with the Andersons' original collection. The exhibits help you understand what entertaining and collecting were like in Washington, D.C., a long time ago.
Exhibitions and Collections
The museum also has changing exhibitions. These shows focus on different topics. You can learn about the American Revolution. You can also discover the history of the Society of the Cincinnati. And, of course, you can learn more about Anderson House and the people who lived there.
The museum's collections are very interesting. They include portraits of soldiers from the Revolutionary War. There are also weapons and personal items from that time. You can see objects made to remember the war. The museum also has items related to the Society of the Cincinnati. This includes special china and badges.
You can also see portraits and personal items of the Anderson family. There are even artifacts related to the house's history. For example, the U.S. Navy used the house during World War II. Anderson House has been featured on TV shows. It appeared on the A&E series America's Castles. It was also shown on C-SPAN.
See also
