Seven Buildings

Seven Buildings is a row of seven three-story brick townhouses built in 1796 at Pennsylvania Avenue NW and 19th Street NW in Washington DC. These connected residences form a unified group from the city's early development period.

The townhouses were built shortly after Washington's founding as residences for prominent citizens. Number 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue gained significance later when President Madison lived there temporarily while the White House was being rebuilt.

The buildings served as temporary homes for foreign diplomats and official representatives during the city's early development. Visitors walking along Pennsylvania Avenue can sense the blend of domestic and diplomatic life that unfolded within these brick walls.

The buildings are visible from the street and located along a busy thoroughfare with sidewalks for easy viewing. Since they remain private property today, access to the interiors is generally not available to visitors.

During the Civil War, General George McClellan used one of the buildings as his military headquarters for the Union Army. This shift from private residences to a command center reveals how deeply the structures were drawn into the nation's conflict.

GPS coordinates: 38.90070,-77.04410

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:59