Cutts-Madison House, Colonial residence near Lafayette Square, Washington D.C.
Cutts-Madison House is a residential building constructed in 1819 near Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C. The two-story structure features dormer windows and chimneys at each end of the gabled roof.
The building was constructed in 1819 and later purchased by former President James Madison in 1828, who lived there until his death in 1836. Following Madison's passing, First Lady Dolley Madison made the house her home until her death in 1849.
The house served as a social gathering place where politicians and government officials met for formal events and conversation. Visitors can sense how the rooms functioned as spaces where the social and political circles of early Washington overlapped.
The house is located at 1520 H Street NW in downtown Washington and is now part of the U.S. Courts complex. Since the building has protected historical status, visitors should check in advance whether tours or public access are available.
In 1845, a servant rescued Dolley Madison from an arson attempt at the house, though damage was minimal. This incident reflects how seriously the safety of this prominent family was taken during that era.
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