When the British burned the
White House, President and Mrs. Madison moved into one of the most
beautiful homes in Washington, D.C.
A short block
from the White House stands the Octagon, a National Historic treasure.
One of the first great homes built in the new nation’s capital, the
Octagon is a landmark of America’s architectural, political, and
cultural history. Completed in 1801 for the eminent Tayloe family and
designed by William Thornton, the original architect of the U.S.
Capitol, the Octagon is one of the most significant and elegant
buildings to remain standing from the early federal city. It was in the
upstairs parlor that President Madison signed the Treaty of Ghent on
February 17, 1815 establishing peace with Great Britain. In 1899, The
American Institute of Architects chose the severely deteriorated
building as its new national headquarters, initiating a series of
state-of-the-art restorations.
After over two
centuries of use, adaptation, renovation, and restoration, the Octagon
continues to serve as a reminder of the great beauty of early American
design and the lasting value of architectural excellence.
The Octagon is the oldest
Architecture Museum in the country. Its programs focus on Architecture,
Design, Restoration and Preservation issues for the general public and
museum professionnals.
A view of The Octagon
in its present urban landscape
Collections
The Octagon Permanent Collection of Decorative Art Objects
Decorative art objects of the early 19th century, case study
restoration of historical house, White House during the war of 1812.
Prints and Drawings Collection
Architectural drawings, historical photographs, sketchbooks, models
about the practice of architecture. Special colletions include: works
by Richard Morris Hunt, Henry Bacon, Greene and Greene, Bertram
Goodhue, Mickim Mead & White, Hugh Stubbins Clarence, Hunt and
Hunt, and others.
Highlihts, Exhibits & Events
Tours and Special Events
Educational programs include tours
of the historical house period rooms, hard hat tours of restoration
areas, exterior site walking tours. In conjunction with exhibitions,
programes include: Lectures; Symposia; Family Activities; Gallery
Talks; Tours; and Special Events.
Thomas Jefferson's Academical Village: The Creation of an
Architectural
Masterpiece
Exhibition examines Jefferson's greatest architectural legacy, the
designs for the university of VA. Late Jan-May related education
programs.
Grandeur, Simplicity & Convenience: The United States
Capitol 1793-1993
Reproduction exhibition documenting the architectural history of the US
Capitol.
Research Fields
Washington DC History and Material Culture Issues
The Octagon focuses its efforts on the federal period - roughly
1800-1830.
Architecture and Design Studies
Key Personnel
CEO: Nancy Davis, Director
Sherry Birk, Curator of Prints and Drawings
Linnea Hamer, Curator of Exhibitions
Charlotte Kroll, Administrative Manager
Suzanne Rosenblum, Curator of Education
Images
Dining Room of the Octagon
The table has been set for a fancy 19th century dinner party.
Special Hard Hat Tour
Special tours examine the details of this state-of-the-art restoration
effort.
Exhibition Installation
Recent installation in the Octagon's newly restored 2nd floor galleries.
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