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 grand mansion in Washington, D.C.. It was built between 1902 and 1905. This historic building is located on Embassy Row in the Dupont Circle neighborhood.
Today, Anderson House serves as the international headquarters for the Society of the Cincinnati. It also has a special library focused on military and naval history from the 17th and 18th centuries. Plus, it's open to the public as a museum. Visitors can learn about what life was like in Washington, D.C., in the early 1900s.
A Grand Home's Story
Anderson House was built as a winter home for Larz Anderson and his wife, Isabel Weld Perkins. Larz Anderson was an American diplomat. This means he was an official who represented the U.S. in other countries. Isabel was an author and volunteered with the American Red Cross.
Architects Arthur Little and Herbert W. C. Browne designed the house. They used the Beaux-Arts style. This style is known for being grand and fancy, often seen in important public buildings.
The Andersons loved to host important people from America and other countries. They also used their home to show off their amazing collection of art and historical items. They gathered these treasures during their many travels over 40 years. The Andersons did not have any children.
After Larz Anderson passed away in 1937, his wife Isabel gave the house and all its contents to the Society of the Cincinnati. Larz Anderson had been a dedicated member of this society for over 40 years. The society opened Anderson House as a museum in 1939. The house was recognized as a historic place in 1971. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1996, showing its great importance.
What You Can Explore Today
Today, Anderson House still serves its members and the public. It works as a headquarters, a museum, and a library. When you visit the museum, you can tour the first two floors of the house. These floors are decorated with the Andersons' original collection. They show how people entertained guests and collected art in Washington, D.C., a long time ago.
You can also see special exhibits that change over time. These exhibits teach you about the American Revolution. They also cover the history of the Society of the Cincinnati and the Anderson House itself.
The museum's collections include more than just the Andersons' items. You can see portraits, weapons, and personal items from soldiers of the Revolutionary War. There are also objects made to remember the war and its heroes. You'll find items connected to the society's history, like special china and badges. The museum also has portraits and personal items from the Anderson family. Plus, there are artifacts related to the house's history, including when the U.S. Navy used it during World War II.
Anderson House has even been featured on TV shows. It appeared on the A&E television series America's Castles and on C-SPAN.
See also
