President James Monroe resided here for the initial months of his presidency until the official reopening of the White House in September. Between 1860 and 1861, the residence was inhabited by Charles Francis Adams Sr., a distinguished politician and historian, who was the grandson of John Adams and the son of John Quincy Adams. Also residing with him was his son, Henry Adams, who would later gain prominence as a respected historian. From 1877 to 1909, the house became the home of Cleveland Abbe, a renowned meteorologist and the founder of the U.S. Weather Bureau. His 1879 paper played a crucial role in the establishment of the U.S. time-zone system. In 1916, the Arts Club of Washington acquired the property, which was subsequently listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969 and granted National Historic Landmark status in 1975. An exterior plaque commemorates Cleveland Abbe, while another plaque in the front yard pays tribute to James Monroe.
He is perhaps best known for the Monroe Doctrine, a foreign policy statement in 1823 that warned European powers against further colonization or intervention in the Americas. It became a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy. The President also fought in the American Revolutionary War, serving in the Continental Army under General George Washington. Monroe was the last president of the “Virginia Dynasty,” which included Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. All three hailed from Virginia and played significant roles in the early years of the United States.
3 other of my favorite fun facts are:
-As U.S. Minister to France, Monroe played a key role in negotiating the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, which doubled the size of the United States.
– Monroe was the last president to serve two full terms without any political opposition, often referred to as the “Era of Good Feelings.”
– Monroe’s administration successfully negotiated the acquisition of Florida from Spain through the Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819.
This property is now an art museum located at 2017 I St. NW I Washington, DC 20006. Take a tour check their website for hours and purchase a piece of art for your walls.
