Downtown in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

First Home of the Reserve Officers Association

January 20, 2023

1. First Home of the Reserve Officers Association Marker

Inscription. From 1924 to 1938, rooms of the Lee House were the first headquarters of the reserve officers association of the United States. Founded in 1922 by General of the Armies John J. Pershing to assure an adequate national security, ROA had as an early member Major Harry S. Truman, USAR. President Truman lived in these quarters during much of his administration and in 1950 signed the law granting ROA its congressional charter.

Dedicated during the Truman Centennial Year, May 1984

Erected 1984.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Patriots & Patriotism. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #33 Harry S. Truman series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1984.

Location. 38° 53.933′ N, 77° 2.322′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest and Jackson Place Northwest, on the right when traveling west on Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest. In front of the Blair-Lee House. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1651 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20503, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Lee House (here, next to this marker); Francis Preston Blair

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(a few steps from this marker); The Blair House (a few steps from this marker); In Honor of Leslie Coffelt (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Blair House (a few steps from this marker); Renwick Gallery (within shouting distance of this marker); These Five-Inch Brass Trophy Guns (within shouting distance of this marker); State, War, and Navy Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

Also see . . . Reserve Organization of America. Website homepage (Submitted on December 8, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 4, 2007

2. First Home of the Reserve Officers Association Marker

This is a previous iteration of the marker. While the text is identical, the formatting is slightly different.

The Blair-Lee House image. Click for full size.

January 20, 2023

3. The Blair-Lee House

The marker hangs on the fence near the entrance gate.

Photographed by Craig Swain

4. The Blair-Lee House

Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,731 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 20, 2023. 2. submitted on December 8, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on January 20, 2023. 4. submitted on December 8, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.