Foggy Bottom in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Peace at Last!
Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 22, 2015
1. Peace at Last! Marker
The Octagon once was the city residence of wealthy Virginia landowner Colonel John Tayloe III. After the British burned the White House and other government buildings, President James Madison accepted Tayloe's invitation to use the Octagon as a temporary Executive Mansion. He brought along 15-year-old enslaved servant Paul Jennings and other household help. It was here on February 17, 1815, that the president signed the Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812.
Eyewitness
In his memoir, formerly enslaved White House servant Paul Jennings recalled the moments following the signing. Miss Sally Coles cry(ed] out, Peace! peace! and told John Freeman (the butler) to serve out wine liberally to the servants and others, he wrote. I played the President's March on the violin and such another joyful time was never seen in Washington.
In the summer of 1814 the United States had been at war with Great Britain for two years. Battlefronts had erupted from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. On August 24. following their victory Over the Americans at the Battle of Bladensburg. Maryland. British troops marched on Washington with devastating results.
The Star-Spangled Banner National History Trail reveals sites of the War of 1812 in Washington. DC., Virginia, and Maryland. Visit
this page online
Erected 2015 by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #04 James Madison, the National Historic Landmarks, and the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is February 17, 1815.
Location. 38° 53.779′ N, 77° 2.497′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Foggy Bottom. It is at the intersection of New York Avenue Northwest and 18th Street Northwest when traveling west on New York Avenue Northwest. At the Octagon Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1799 New York Ave Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 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 Octagon (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Octagon (within shouting distance of this marker); Gen. John A. Rawlins Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); DACOR Ramp Dedication (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); A House in the President's Neighborhood (about 400 feet away); John Marshall
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 22, 2015
2. Peace at Last! Marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 22, 2015
3. Three Markers
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 22, 2015
4. The Octagon
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 22, 2015
5. The Signing of the Treaty of Ghent, Christmas Eve, 1814
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 22, 2015
6. Paul Jennings, Author of the first White House Memoir
Family of Sylvia Jennings
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 22, 2015
7. President Madison Signed the Treaty of Ghent on this table.
Jane Kinsman
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 22, 2015
8. National Landmark Plaque
has been designated a
Registered National
Historic Landmark
National Park Service
1961
Stewart L.Udall
Secretary of the Interior
Conrad L. Wirth
Director National Park Service
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 22, 2015
9. Treaty Room Plaque
The Treaty of Peace Terminating the War of 1812
Between the United States and Great Britain
Was Signed in This Room February 17, 1815
Erected February 17, 1909 by the National Society of United States Daughters of 1812 - District of Columbia Chapter
Between the United States and Great Britain
Was Signed in This Room February 17, 1815
Erected February 17, 1909 by the National Society of United States Daughters of 1812 - District of Columbia Chapter
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 22, 2015
10. The Treaty Room
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 22, 2015
11. Col. John Tayloe
By Farvret De Saint Memin, in the Octagon Museum.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 22, 2015
12. Dr. William Thornton
(Architect of the Octagon & the Capitol)
(Architect of the Octagon & the Capitol)
By Farvret De Saint Memin in the Octagon Museum.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 22, 2015
13. A I A
Credits. This page was last revised on May 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 968 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. submitted on August 23, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
