Penn Quarter in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
"Blodget's Hotel"
[The Great Seal of the United States]
In 1800, the building erected on this site by Samuel Blodget was the scene of the first theatrical performance given in Washington.
From 1812 to 1836 it sheltered the city post office and, for part of that period, the Post Office Department and the Patent Office.
And here after the burning of the Capitol, the Congress of the United States was convened, September 19th 1814.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Postal Mail and Philately series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 19, 1833.
Location. 38° 53.776′ N, 77° 1.344′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in the Penn Quarter. Marker is on E Street Northwest west of 7th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west. Marker is on the lower right side of the rear (south side) entrance to the old General Post Office building which is presently occupied by the Hotel Monaco. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 700 F Street Northwest, Washington DC 20004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Samuel F. B. Morse (within shouting distance of this marker); Missing Soldiers (within shouting distance of this marker); Clara Barton: Angel of the Battlefield at Home (within shouting distance of this marker); General Post Office (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Roots of Freedom and Equality (about 400 feet away); Mary Church Terrell (about 400 feet away); The Chinese Hackberry Tree (about 400 feet away); Patent Office Building (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Also see . . .
1. History of the Patent Office, Chapter 7. ... Washington, in 1793, was a "city" of about 300 residents, most of them speculating on the future of the proposed new capital city. One of them, Samuel Blodgett Jr., a native of New Hampshire and a Revolutionary War officer, had made a fortune in the East India trade and hoped to increase it in Washington. He promoted a lottery to advance his real-estate interests and offered a "Great Hotel" worth $50,000 as first prize. He built Blodgett's Hotel as the prize but did not finish it before he went bankrupt. Little is known of the early use of the partially completed structure except that some public meetings were held there ... (Submitted on March 12, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. U.S. Senate - Emergency Quarters, 1814. (Submitted on March 12, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
Additional keywords. Samuel Blodgett
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,415 times since then and 57 times this year. Last updated on April 28, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 12, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 4, 5. submitted on April 28, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.