Old Stone House (Washington, D.C.) facts for kids
|
Old Stone House
|
|
|
U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
|
Old Stone House in the Georgetown section of Washington, D.C. in September 2006
|
|
 Location in Washington, D.C.
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 3051 M Street, NW Washington, D.C., U.S. |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|
| 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 also the last building from before the American Revolutionary War (when America fought for independence). Built in 1765, the Old Stone House is located at 3051 M Street, in the Georgetown neighborhood. Local stories and legends helped save the 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 a great example of vernacular architecture, which means it was built using local styles and materials. The house started as a simple one-story building. Later, more parts were added. It was used as both a home and a place for businesses.
In the mid-1900s, the house was even a used-car dealership. The National Park Service (NPS) bought and fixed up the house in the 1950s. After that, the Old Stone House became a museum. Today, it stands among the shops and restaurants of Georgetown. The building is part of the Rock Creek Parkway area. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The Old Stone House is also a special part of the Georgetown Historic District. About 85% of the house is still original from when it was built in the 1700s.
Contents
History of the Old Stone House
Early Days in the 1700s
In 1764, Christopher and Rachel Layman bought a piece of land in Georgetown. They paid a small amount of money for Lot Three. The next year, they built a simple one-room house there. This lot faced Bridge Street, which is now M Street NW. The Laymans owned only a few things, like Christopher's tools and some furniture.
Sadly, Christopher died in 1765. Two years later, Rachel Layman sold the house to another widow named Cassandra Chew. Ms. Chew was a wealthy woman who owned several properties in Georgetown. Because she had money, she added a kitchen to the back of the house in 1767. Between 1767 and 1775, she also 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 original west wall was built too far onto the neighbor's land. It had to be taken down. Ms. Chew used this chance to add the upper floor.
President Washington and the House
After the American Revolutionary War, leaders decided to create a new capital city. Land was taken from Virginia and Maryland for this new city. Pierre (Peter) Charles L'Enfant was chosen by President George Washington to design the city. He arrived in Georgetown in March 1791 to start his work.
Washington and L'Enfant met 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 popular 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 research and found out the story was not true. However, by then, they already owned the house.
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. Like her mother, Brumley had a successful shop inside the home. The house stayed in the family until 1875.
Over the years, the house was used for many different shops. It was a place for hats, tailors, and even clockmakers. In 1953, the Old Stone House was still privately owned. It was being used as a used-car dealership, and the backyard was a parking lot. The U.S. federal 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 removed most of the changes made in the 1800s and 1900s. The parking lot was turned into a beautiful English garden. The Old Stone House opened to the public in 1960. It became part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Later, it was managed by the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. In the late 1980s, the Old Stone House became part of the Rock Creek Park administration.
Design of the House
_First_Floor_Rear_Kitchen.jpg)
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 2 miles (3.2 km) away, near the Potomac River. The walls are very thick, about two to three feet (60–90 cm) 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 with a large pit saw. You can still see the marks from 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 mortar. This mortar was made from sand, lime, ash, and water. The kitchen's fireplace is big enough to heat the entire house.
Second Floor Details
The second floor looks quite different from the first floor. This is because Cassandra Chew could afford better building materials. A second doorway and staircase were built for family members and guests. The original entrance was then used only by workers and for deliveries. There are three rooms on this floor: a dining room, a bedroom, and a parlor (a sitting room).
The hallway between the dining room and the two front rooms has a high ceiling. This helped with air flow during Georgetown's hot summers. The second-floor walls were plastered and painted. Wooden rails were added to the walls to protect them from damage. In the dining room, a dumbwaiter was hidden inside a pine cabinet. This small elevator brought 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, which might be from French origin.
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 on this floor. They were likely used as children's bedrooms and a storage area. One bedroom on the third floor has a closet. This was unusual for houses in the 1700s. People often thought there was a "closet tax," but this was just a myth. Closets were rare because most people didn't own many clothes back then.
The Colonial 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 (122 m) deep and 76 feet (23 m) wide. You can find roses, perennials (plants that live for more than two years), and bulbs throughout the garden.
Visiting the Old Stone House
Visitors are welcomed by staff who share the history of this very old building in Washington, D.C.. You can explore the kitchen, parlor, and bedrooms. These rooms are set up to look just as they would have in the late 1700s. A gift shop run by Eastern National is located in the front room of the house.
The garden is a lovely spot for small wedding ceremonies. It's also a peaceful place for locals and tourists to relax. Many people enjoy a break here while shopping or having lunch. The building is open to the public seven days a week. From Monday to Thursday, it's open from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, it's open from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. The garden is open every day from early morning until sunset.
More to Explore
- 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.
