Logan Circle in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

If These Mansions Could Talk

A Fitting Tribute

— Logan Circle Heritage Trail —

If These Mansions Could Talk Marker image. Click for full size.

By Allen C. Browne, July 13, 2013

1. If These Mansions Could Talk Marker

Inscription.

If These Mansions Could Talk. A Fitting Tribute. Over the years most of Logan Circle's Mansions experienced numerous uses and have returned to private occupancy. For example 15 Logan Circle was completed in 1877 for Lt. Cmdr. Seth Ledyard Phelps, a Civil War Veteran appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant to the Board of Commissioners (the body that governed DC from 1874 until 1967). In 1891 the Kingdom of Korea (Joseon Dynasty) purchased number 15 for its first embassy in the United States. Just before Imperial Japan annexed Korea in 1910, the Japanese government forcibly took possession of the house and sold it. Eventually the mansion house a World War II-era recreation center for African Americans and then offices for locals 639 and 730 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters before returning to a series of private owners. The Korean government repurchased the house in 2012, marking the 130th anniversary of U.S. Korea diplomatic relations. Phelps also built the adjoining 1502 3th Street, briefly the clubhouse of African American journalists, then a rooming house of ill repute known as the Raleigh, and, since the 1990s, condominium apartments. . . A house that has always been a family residence is number 14. The only Beaux-Arts-inspired house on the circle was built in 1903 for Woodward and Lothrop merchandise manager Josephine Nourse. She sold number 14 to Thomas Caesar Smith M.D., in 1930. Smith, a Howard Medical School graduate, moved his wife and five daughters there and treated patients in a clinic he opened in his English basement. At a time when most hospitals excluded African Americans and the poor often lacked health care, Dr. Smith spent many Sundays and evenings visiting patients around the city and with its alley communities. He invested in real estate, purchasing property for each daughter. The second eldest, Therrell, used hers to open a ballet school, and was still teaching dance in 2013, at the age of 95. . This historical marker was erected in 2013 by Cultural Heritage DC. It is in Logan Circle in Washington District of Columbia

Over the years most of Logan Circle's Mansions experienced numerous uses and have returned to private occupancy. For example 15 Logan Circle was completed in 1877 for Lt. Cmdr. Seth Ledyard Phelps, a Civil War Veteran appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant to the Board of Commissioners (the body that governed DC from 1874 until 1967). In 1891 the Kingdom of Korea (Joseon Dynasty) purchased number 15 for its first embassy in the United States. Just before Imperial Japan annexed Korea in 1910, the Japanese government forcibly took possession of the house and sold it. Eventually the mansion house a World War II-era recreation center for African Americans and then offices for locals 639 and 730 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters before returning to a series of private owners. The Korean government repurchased the house in 2012, marking the 130th anniversary of U.S. Korea diplomatic relations. Phelps also built the adjoining 1502 3th Street, briefly the clubhouse of African American journalists, then a rooming house of ill repute known as the Raleigh, and, since the 1990s, condominium apartments.

A house that has always

By Devry Becker Jones, December 2, 2017

2. If These Mansions Could Talk Marker

been a family residence is number 14. The only Beaux-Arts-inspired house on the circle was built in 1903 for Woodward and Lothrop merchandise manager Josephine Nourse. She sold number 14 to Thomas Caesar Smith M.D., in 1930. Smith, a Howard Medical School graduate, moved his wife and five daughters there and treated patients in a clinic he opened in his English basement. At a time when most hospitals excluded African Americans and the poor often lacked health care, Dr. Smith spent many Sundays and evenings visiting patients around the city and with its alley communities. He invested in real estate, purchasing property for each daughter. The second eldest, Therrell, used hers to open a ballet school, and was still teaching dance in 2013, at the age of 95.

Erected 2013 by Cultural Heritage DC. (Marker Number 7.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Government & Politics • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Logan Circle Heritage Trail series list.

Location. 38° 54.616′ N, 77° 1.761′ W. Marker is in Logan Circle in Washington, District of Columbia. Marker is at the intersection of 13th Street Northwest and Logan Circle Northwest, on the left when traveling

By Allen C. Browne, July 13, 2013

3. If These Mansions Could Talk Marker

south on 13th Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1505 13th St Northwest, Washington DC 20005, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old Korean Legation Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Logan Circle, Just Ahead (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles M. “Sweet Daddy” Grace Residence (within shouting distance of this marker); Major General John A. Logan (within shouting distance of this marker); Pratt House (within shouting distance of this marker); Belford V. Lawson and Marjorie M. Lawson Residence (within shouting distance of this marker); John Logan Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Logan Circle (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Logan Circle.

Additional keywords. Korea

Seth Ledyard Phelps image. Click for full size.

By Allen C. Browne, July 13, 2013

4. Seth Ledyard Phelps

Portrait of Lt. Cmdr. Seth Ledyard Phelps, first owner of 15 Logan Circle, NW, by Carl Becker.Close-up of photo on marker
Library of Congress

Inside 15 Logan Circle, 1903 image. Click for full size.

By Allen C. Browne, July 13, 2013

5. Inside 15 Logan Circle, 1903

Close-up of photo on marker

By Allen C. Browne, July 13, 2013

6. King Gojong

King Gojong acquired 15 Logan Circle in 1889. In 1897, he declared Korea an empire and himself Emperor, ending Korea's tributary relationship to China. He abdicated to his son in 1907. In 1910 Korea was annexed to the expanding Japanese Empire and the legation on Logan Circle belonged to Japan.Close-up of a display at 15 Logan Circle

The Korean Legation image. Click for full size.

By Allen C. Browne, July 13, 2013

7. The Korean Legation

Close-up of postcard on display at 15 Logan Circle
History of the Building
King Gojong of Joseon Dynasty purchased this building (15 Logan Circle) from Mr. Sevellon A. Brown (Seth L. Phelps' son-in-law) for $25,000 in 1891. (Mr. Phelps was veteran of the Civil War, a diplomat and a politician).

20 years later in 1910 Japan annexed Korea by force, robbing this building from King Gojong for only $5. However, Korea recovered her sovereignty when Japan surrendered to the US at the end of World War II in 1945. Since then, the Korean government and Korean-Americans in the US strived to regain ownership of this building as a symbol of 19th century Korean diplomacy.It was only last spring that we succeeded in buying the building back. We are now working on a plan to make the best use of this building. When the plan is carried out in the near future, this building will be reborn as a Korea-US friendship museum. The museum shall show visitors how the friendship between Korea and the US was born and developed over the years. -- Text from a display inside 15 Logan Circle

Ambassador Ahn Ho-young of the Republic of Korea image. Click for full size.

By Allen C. Browne, July 13, 2013

8. Ambassador Ahn Ho-young of the Republic of Korea

speaking at the dedication of the Logan Circle Heritage Trail on July 13, 2013.

Dr. T. C. Smith image. Click for full size.

By Allen C. Browne, July 13, 2013

9. Dr. T. C. Smith

Dr. Thomas Caesar Smith, whose name still appeared over the front door of 14 Logan Circle in 2012. Close-up of photo on marker
Collection of Therrell Smith

Birdie C. Smith image. Click for full size.

By Allen C. Browne, July 13, 2013

10. Birdie C. Smith

wife of Dr. Thomas C. SmithClose-up of photo on marker
Collection of Therrell Smith

Wedding Party image. Click for full size.

By Allen C. Browne, July 13, 2013

11. Wedding Party

The wedding party of Therrell Smith and Wylie Daniel in the dining room of 14 Logan Circle, 1940. Close-up of photo on marker
Collection of Therrell Smith
{Ms. Smith says it's really the reception room not the dining room.}

Therrell Smith image. Click for full size.

By Allen C. Browne, July 13, 2013

12. Therrell Smith

Therrell Smith surrounded by students at her Bunker Hill Rd., NE, dance studio, the successor to her first school at 49 Rhode Island Ave.Close-up of photo on marker
Scurlock Studio, National Museum of American History

By Allen C. Browne, July 13, 2013

13. Therrell Smith

at the dedication of the "If These Mansions Could Talk" marker

Therell Smith image. Click for full size.

By Allen C. Browne, July 13, 2013

14. Therell Smith

The 95-year-old ballet teacher has lived at 14 Logan Circle for over 80 years.

14 Logan Avenue image. Click for full size.

By Allen C. Browne, July 13, 2013

15. 14 Logan Avenue

The only Beaux-Arts inspired building on Logan Circle

By Allen C. Browne, July 13, 2013

16. Dr. T. C. Smith

Sign over the Door at 14 Logan Circle

English Basement image. Click for full size.

By Allen C. Browne, July 13, 2013

17. English Basement

used as an office by Dr. Thomas Smith at 14 Logan Circle

Map -- You Are Here image. Click for full size.

By Allen C. Browne, July 13, 2013

18. Map -- You Are Here

Close-up of map on marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,204 times since then and 28 times this year. Last updated on August 3, 2020, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1. submitted on July 15, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 2. submitted on December 2, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. submitted on July 15, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.