Woodley Park in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Harry Wardman
The name Harry Wardman (1872 - 1938) is practically synonymous with Woodley Park, having built numerous houses and apartments in the neighborhood. Wardman built his own home on the corner of Connecticut Avenue and Woodley Road in 1909. He later constructed an imposing 1,200-room hotel nearby, dubbed “Warman's Folly” by some for what was considered its remote location.
In 1929 Wardman tore down his mansion to erect in its place the Wardman Tower residential hotel, which is still standing. Designed by noted architect Mihran Mesrobian, Wardman tower is said to have been home to more U.S. presidents, vice presidents and cabinet members than any other commercial residence in Washington. Other notable residents included actress Marlene Dietrich and Washington's “Hostess with the mostes”, Perl Mesta.
Wardman Tower was also home to embassies, and from its television studios the original broadcasts of “Meet the Press” starting in 1947, and broadcasts of the “Today” show's Washington new bureau and the “Arthur Murray Dance Program.”
By the time Harry Wardman died in 1938, 80,000 Washingtonians — one tenth of the population — lived in homes that were among the 400 apartment buildings and 5,000 houses built by Wardman.
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Settlements & Settlers • Women. In addition, it is included in the DC, Art on Call series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.
Location. 38° 55.557′ N, 77° 3.328′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Woodley Park. Marker is at the intersection of Woodley Road Northwest and 27th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west on Woodley Road Northwest. In front of the Aidan Montessori School at 2700 27th Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2700 27th Street Northwest, Washington DC 20008, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Walsh Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Woodley Road Neighbors (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Long and Winding Road (about 300 feet away); Long & Winding Woodley Road (approx. 0.2 miles away); Million Dollar Bridge (approx. ¼ mile away); Redwood (approx. ¼ mile away); Anup Joshi (approx. 0.3 miles away); Conservation Geography (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 608 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 21, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.