Old Stone House (Washington, D.C.) facts for kids
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Old Stone House
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U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
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Old Stone House in the Georgetown section of Washington, D.C. in September 2006
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 Location in Washington, D.C.
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3051 M Street, NW Washington, D.C., U.S. |
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| Area | 0.4 acres (0.16 ha) |
| Built | 1765 |
| Architectural style | Vernacular |
| Part of | Georgetown Historic District (ID67000025) |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000219 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 30, 1973 |
| Designated NHLDCP | May 28, 1967 |
The Old Stone House is one of the oldest buildings in Washington, D.C.. It is the last remaining colonial building in the city built before the American Revolutionary War. The house was built in 1765. You can find it at 3051 M Street in the Georgetown neighborhood.
Local stories and folklore helped save the Old Stone House from being torn down. Many other old homes in the area were replaced by new buildings. The Old Stone House was built in three stages during the 1700s. It is an example of vernacular architecture, which means it was built using simple, local styles and materials.
The house started as a one-story building. Later, more parts were added. It was used as both a home and a place for businesses. In the mid-1900s, it even became a used-car dealership! The National Park Service (NPS) bought and fixed up the house in the 1950s. After that, it became a house museum. Today, the Old Stone House stands among shops and restaurants. About 85% of the house is still original from when it was built in the 1700s.
Contents
History of the Old Stone House
Early Beginnings in the 1700s
In 1764, a couple named Christopher and Rachel Layman bought a piece of land in Georgetown. They paid a small amount of money for it. The next year, they built a simple one-room house on the land. This land was on Bridge Street, which is now M Street NW.
Sadly, Christopher died in 1765. Two years later, his wife Rachel sold the house to another widow, Cassandra Chew. Cassandra Chew was quite wealthy. She owned several properties in Georgetown. Because she had money, Chew was able to add more to the house. She built a kitchen at the back in 1767. Between 1767 and 1775, she added a second floor.
The third floor was added later, around 1790. This happened because of a problem with the property line. Part of the house was built too far onto the neighbor's land. When that wall had to be taken down, Chew used the chance to add the top floor.
The George Washington Story
After the American Revolutionary War, leaders decided to create a new capital city. Land was taken from Virginia and Maryland for this purpose. Pierre L'Enfant was chosen by President George Washington to design the city. L'Enfant arrived in Georgetown in March 1791 to start his work.
Washington and L'Enfant held their meetings at a place called Suter's Tavern. This tavern was near 31st and K Streets, NW. At that time, John Suter Jr. was renting a room at the Old Stone House. For many years, people in Georgetown believed that Washington and L'Enfant had met at the Old Stone House instead.
This local story is why the house was never torn down. For a long time, a sign above the front door even said, "George Washington's Headquarters." Later, the National Park Service did some research. They found out that the story was not true. But by then, they already owned the house and saved it!
The 1800s and Beyond
When Cassandra Chew passed away in 1807, she left the Old Stone House to her daughter, Mary Smith Brumley. Mary was the first of many owners to run businesses from the house. She ran a successful shop inside the home, just like her mother. The house stayed in the same family until 1875.
Over the years, the house was used for many different kinds of shops. It was a place where people made hats, tailored clothes, fixed locks, and repaired clocks. It was also used by roofers and painters.
In 1953, the Old Stone House was still privately owned. It was being used as a used-car dealership. The backyard had even been turned into a parking lot. The U.S. government bought the property for $90,000. They then gave it to the National Park Service to manage.
Between 1953 and 1960, the National Park Service worked to restore the house. They removed most of the changes made in the 1800s and 1900s. The parking lot was turned back into a beautiful English garden. The Old Stone House opened to the public in 1960. It became part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Today, it is managed by the Rock Creek Park administration.
How the House Was Built
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The Old Stone House is a great example of vernacular architecture. This means it was built using local styles and materials. The outside walls are made of blue granite and fieldstone. These stones were taken from a quarry about two miles away, near the Potomac River. The walls are very thick, about two to three feet wide. The oak wood used in the house came from forests that used to cover Georgetown.
First Floor Details
On the first floor, the original roof and front door were made of solid oak. They were cut using a large saw called a pit saw. You can still see the marks left by this saw on the first floor. The kitchen walls and fireplace are made of uneven stones. These stones were stacked and held together with a special mix called mortar. The mortar was made from sand, lime, ash, and water. The kitchen's fireplace is very large. It was big enough to heat the entire house!
Second Floor Details
The second floor looks quite different from the first. Cassandra Chew, who owned the house then, could afford better building materials. A second doorway and staircase were built for family and guests. The original entrance was then used mostly by workers and for deliveries.
There are three rooms on this floor: a dining room, a bedroom, and a parlor (a living room). The hallway between the dining room and the front rooms has a high ceiling. This helped with air flow during Georgetown's hot summers. The walls on the second floor were plastered and painted. Wooden strips called chair rails were added to protect the walls from furniture.
In the dining room, there was a dumbwaiter. This was a small lift hidden in a cabinet. It was used to bring food up from the kitchen below. A clock in the dining room is believed to be the only original piece of furniture left in the house. It was made by John Suter Jr. in the early 1800s. The bedroom has a fancy carved wooden fireplace mantle. People think it might have come from France.
Third Floor Details
The third floor was built of brick and finished around 1790. It was a private space. This floor is much simpler than the second floor. It has unfinished wood panels and unpainted walls. There are three rooms here. They are believed to have been children's bedrooms and a storage area. One bedroom on the third floor has a closet. This was unusual for houses in the 1700s. There's a myth that closets were taxed back then, but that's not true. People just didn't own as many clothes, so they didn't need many closets.
The Garden
Behind the house, there is a beautiful Colonial Revival garden. It is surrounded by a white picket fence. The garden is about 399 feet deep and 76 feet wide. You can find roses, perennials (plants that live for many years), and bulbs (like tulips) growing throughout the garden.
Visiting the Old Stone House Today
When you visit the Old Stone House, staff members are there to tell you about its history. You can explore the kitchen, parlor, and bedrooms. These rooms are set up to look just like they would have in the late 1700s. There is also a gift shop inside the front room of the house.
The garden is a peaceful place. It is sometimes used for small wedding ceremonies. It's also a nice spot for locals and tourists to relax. You can take a break from shopping or enjoy your lunch there. The Old Stone House building is open to the public seven days a week. It is open from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Thursday. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, it is open from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. The garden is open every day from early morning until evening.
See also
- History of Washington, D.C.
- List of museums in Washington, D.C.
- List of the oldest buildings in Washington, D.C.
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington, D.C.
