Townsend House

Townsend House is a three-story limestone mansion on Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, D.C., designed in the French Beaux-Arts style. Its facade displays symmetrical proportions, decorative stonework, and classical sculptural details characteristic of early 1900s elite architecture.

The mansion was built in 1901 for railroad executive Richard Townsend and his wife Mary Scott. Its construction incorporated portions of an earlier 1873 building at Mrs. Townsend's insistence.

The residence takes its name from the railroad executive who commissioned it and now serves as a gathering place for professionals in science, literature, and the arts. The rooms retain their formal character, designed for hosting important guests and intellectual exchanges.

The building currently operates as a private club headquarters, providing meeting spaces for members working in science, literature, and the arts. Most of the interior is restricted to members, so visitors should check access policies before planning a visit.

The mansion blends architectural elements from two different periods because portions of the original 1873 building were preserved during the 1901 reconstruction. This unusual combination of old and new remains visible in the building's structure today.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Inception: 1901

Architects: Carrère and Hastings

Architectural style: Beaux-Arts

Part of: Dupont Circle Historic District, Massachusetts Avenue Historic District

GPS coordinates: 38.91140,-77.04830

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:42