Page 118 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Washington, DC

116  W ASHINGT ON , DC AREA B Y AREA

8 Octagon
Museum
1799 New York Ave, NW. Map 2 F4
& 3 A3. Tel (202) 626-7439.
q Farragut West and Farragut North.
Open 1–4pm Thu–Sat. Closed Jan 1,
Thanksgiving, Dec 25. & 7 (first
floor only). ∑ theoctagon.org
Actually hexagonal in shape,
the Octagon is a three-story
red-brick building, designed
in the late-Federal style by Dr.
William Thornton (1759–1828),
first architect of the US Capitol.
The Octagon was completed
in 1801 for Colonel John Tayloe
III, a rich plantation owner from
Richmond County, Virginia, and
a friend of George Washington.
When the White House was
burned in the War of 1812
against Britain (see p21),
Presi dent James Madison
and his wife, Dolley, lived here
from 1814 to 1815. The Treaty
of Ghent that ended the war
was signed by Madison on the
second floor of the house on
February 17, 1815. South portico of the DAR Memorial Continental Hall
In the early 1900s, the build-
ing was taken over by the 9 Daughters of 13 columns in the south portico
American Institute of Architects. the American symbolize the 13 original states
The American Architectural of the Union. Entrance to the
Foundation, established in Revolution museum is through the gallery,
1970, set up a museum of 1776 D St, NW. Map 2 F4 & 3 A3. which displays an eclectic range
architecture in the Octagon. Tel (202) 628-1776. q Farragut of pieces from quilts to glassware
The building has been restored West. Open 8:30am–4pm Mon–Fri, and china.
to its historically accurate 1815 9am–5pm Sat. Closed 1 week in Jul, The 33 period rooms that
appearance, and has some Federal hols. 8 9am–3pm Sat (book form the State Rooms in the
original furnishings and fine in advance for groups of 5 or more). museum house a collection of
architectural features, such as a 7 Caters for children. over 50,000 items, from silver to
circular entrance hall. Ongoing ∑ dar.org/museum porcelain, ceramics, stoneware,
restoration work and private and furniture. Each room is
events cause occasional Founded in 1890 as a non-profit decorated in a unique style
suspension of tours (check organization, the Daughters particular to an American state
website or call ahead). of the American Revolution from different periods during
(DAR) is dedicated to historic the 18th and 19th centuries.
preservation and promoting An attic room filled with 18th-
education and patriotism. In and 19th-century toys is partic-
order to become a member, ularly interesting. Also, there
you must be a woman with is a huge genealogical library,
blood relations to any person, consisting of approximately
male or female, who fought in 125,000 publications.
or aided the Revolution. There
are currently over 160,000
members in 3,000 regional
branches throughout the USA
and in nine other countries.
The DAR Museum is located
in the Memorial Continental
Hall, designed for the organiza-
The circular main entrance to the attractive tion by Edward Pearce Casey DAR Museum banners proclaiming
Octagon Museum and completed in 1910. The Preservation, Patriotism, and Education

116-117_EW_Washington.indd 116 04/04/17 2:39 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2)
Date 14th November 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm