Downtown in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Restoration of Jackson Place and Lafayette Square
White House Conference Center
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, May 21, 2010
1. Restoration of Jackson Place and Lafayette Square Marker
[Sketch of townhouses along Jackson Place, NW - the western border of Lafayette Square - behind which the White House Conference Center was constructed in the 1960s & 70s.]
Dedicated to those whose spirit and vision helped to preserve the historic architecture of Lafayette Square.
Grosvenor Chapman, Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and Vice-Chairman of the Committee of 100 on the Federal City, in 1961 provided a sketch reproduced here that indicated a radically new vision for the development the Square
David Finley, Founding Director of the National Gallery of Art, Chairman of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, and friend and advisor to Jacqueline Kennedy, successfully opposed several plans for the Square that would have swept away the historic architectural context.
Charles Glover, Jr., eminent banker, member of the Committee of 100, and childhood resident of the Square, shared with Grosvenor Chapman the concept of the sketch.
William Walton, correspondent and artist, and close friend and advisor to the Kennedys, presented the sketch to the President and First
this page online
This sketch so impressed Jacqueline Kennedy that she became its chief advocate. The principles it evoked became the basis for the historic restoration of the Square.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Women. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #35 John F. Kennedy series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1961.
Location. 38° 53.974′ N, 77° 2.304′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Downtown. Marker is on Jackson Place Northwest south of H Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 726 Jackson Place Northwest, Washington DC 20506, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Decatur House (within shouting distance of this marker); White House Historical Association (within shouting distance of this marker); Lafayette Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (within shouting distance of this marker); The Blair House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Blair House (within shouting distance of this marker); Francis Preston Blair
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, May 22, 2010
2. Restoration of Jackson Place and Lafayette Square Marker
Also see . . .
1. President's Park: Lafayette Square. (Submitted on May 22, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. White House Conference Center. (Submitted on May 22, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
Additional keywords. historic preservation; urban development; Andrew Jackson; President's Park; National Park Service.
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, May 21, 2010
3. Andrew Jackson Statue (by sculptor Clark Mills, 1853) centerpiece of Lafayette Square
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,200 times since then and 46 times this year. Last updated on June 29, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 22, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
