Decatur House

Decatur House is a three-story red brick building at the northwest corner of Lafayette Square with classical architectural details. A service wing contains quarters, while lower floors display period furnishings and upper levels show early twentieth-century renovations and changes.

Benjamin Henry Latrobe designed the building in 1818 for naval officer Stephen Decatur, from whom it takes its name. Later it became home to prominent political figures, including Secretary Henry Clay, who shaped its role in Washington life.

The site preserves the story of Charlotte Dupuy, an enslaved woman whose fight for freedom is documented in the service quarters. These spaces show how people lived and resisted in that era.

The building sits on Jackson Place in a central part of Washington, easily reached from Lafayette Square nearby. Visitors should plan to explore multiple levels since different floors display different periods and uses of the house.

The building is one of only three surviving houses designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, America's first professional architect and engineer. This rarity makes it a special place to see the work of a pioneering figure in early American design.

Location: Washington

GPS coordinates: 38.89999,-77.03822

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:25