Decatur House
- Address:748 Jackson Place NW, Washington D.C.
- Hours:Mon - Sat 10am - 5pm, Sun 12pm - 4pm
- Admission:US$5 donation per person
12:42 AM Monday, May 28
Passing clouds. Mild.
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Designed in 1818 for the War of 1812 naval hero Stephen Decatur, Decatur House holds the honor of being the first and last house on Lafayette Square to be occupied as a private residence. Decatur is best remembered for his skills fighting Barbary pirates; sadly these failed him when he was killed in a duel a year after moving into his new home.
Architecturally, it’s an interesting mash-up of austere Federal and wedding cake Victorian influences. Inside, the house museum displays a permanent collection of Federalist and Victorian furnishings. You’ll also learn about the lives of its most famous tenants - including Martin Van Buren and Henry Clay - and the slaves who waited on them.
In the southeast corner of Lafayette Square, check out the likeness of Marquis de Lafayette, who became a revolutionary war general at age 19. Although Lafayette was branded a traitor in his native France, he was considered a hero in young America. In the northeast corner is a memorial to Tadeusz Kosciusko, an engineer in George Washington’s army. The sculpture is one of the most provocative in town.
Latest Reviews All Decatur House Reviews »
You can save a LOT of money with this one! The trick is to have the stamina to do it all in a short period of time! The Crime and Punishment Museum and I Spy Museum are GREAT and well worth the 20 each. The Hop on Hop Off Trolly is also a great buy to help you get around to all the other site you will see. The Duck Tour isn't the best, but it was very informative and fun. The Newseum is also a good learning expereince. I was able to do these 5 in 2 days. Also, when I got my trolly pass on the second day, they gave me a 2 day pass from then, so that was good too. Continue Reading »
Great value for money. Highyly recommended! Continue Reading »
Very worthwhile pass to have as we saved quite a lot of money and is easy to use. Continue Reading »
Practical Info
Decatur House is located across the street from the White House. Other nearby attractions include the National Mall, the Art Museum of America, and the Aztec Gardens. The Decatur House is accessible via metro and bus.
