Downtown in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Decatur House
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 4, 2007
1. Decatur House Marker
Has been designated a
Registered National
Historic Landmark
Under the provisions of the
Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935
This site possesses exceptional value
in commemorating and illustrating
the history of the United States
U.S. Department of the Interior
National Park Service
1961
[Lower marker:]
was the home of
Commodore Stephen Decatur
who died here
March 22, 1820,
from wounds received in a duel
with Commodore Barron
Among other distinguished men
who lived here, were
Henry Clay
Martin Van Buren
Edward Livingston
George M. Dallas
Edward F. Beale
Truxton Beale
Erected 1961 by U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #08 Martin Van Buren, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is March 22, 1820.
Location. 38° 54.005′ N, 77° 2.29′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lafayette Square (a few steps from this marker); White House Historical Association (a few steps from this marker); Baron von Steuben Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Restoration of Jackson Place and Lafayette Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); General Comte Jean de Rochambeau Memorial (about 400 feet away); The Blair House (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named The Blair House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Regarding Decatur House. "The slave quarters at Decatur House is one of only a few remaining examples of slave quarters in an urban setting and also is uniquely significant as the only remaining physical evidence that African Americans were held in bondage within sight of the Executive Mansion. Though the exact date of construction is unknown, records indicate the quarters were possibly built as a one story
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 4, 2007
2. Decatur House Marker
Source: Decatur House on Lafayette Square [see first link below].
Additional keywords. Benjamin Henry Latrobe, “Father of American Architecture”; Headquarters, National Trust for Historic Preservation; slavery.
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 4, 2007
3. Decatur House
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, May 21, 2010
5. The Decatur House slave quarters on H Street - the present home of the Decatur House Museum
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, May 21, 2010
6. Decatur House undergoing renovations, 2010 - note temporary historical signage on scaffolds
“... While enslaved here in 1829, Charlotte Dupuy sued Secretary of State Henry Clay for her freedom and that of her children. Rosa Marks, Nancy Syphax, and the King and Williams families lived on the second floor of the slave quarters in the 1840s and the United States Army occupied the property during the Civil War. ...” Oak Grove Restoration Company.
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 20, 2010
7. Close-up of entrance to the Decatur House Museum
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 20, 2010
8. The newly renovated Decatur House - viewed from across H Street
with markers visible on the wall at lower left.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 20, 2018
9. Sign on the grounds of the Decatur House
National Center for White House History
Decatur House, the home of the center, is a National Trust Historic Site maintained and operated by the White House Historical Association
www.whitehousehistory.org
The White House Historical Association
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,991 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on May 23, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 15, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on January 20, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 5, 6. submitted on May 23, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 7, 8. submitted on June 22, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 9. submitted on January 20, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
