Slowe-Burrill House

The Slowe-Burrill House is a two-and-a-half-story residence in Brookland featuring Queen Anne architectural style from its construction in 1890. The building at Kearny Street displays typical period details including decorated windows and ornamental exterior elements.

Lucy Diggs Slowe and Mary Burrill, two African American educators, purchased the house in 1922 and lived together there until Slowe's death in 1937. The building gained recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 2020 for its importance to African American and LGBT history.

The residence served as a meeting place for African American women intellectuals who organized gatherings in the spacious rear yard during the 1920s. These events were part of the social and artistic life of the neighborhood.

The house is located in a residential neighborhood and visible from the street, though it remains in private ownership. Visitors should respect the property and view the exterior from the street.

Lucy Slowe refused to relocate to Howard University housing despite pressure from university president Mordecai Johnson, maintaining her right to live in this house. This choice reflected her commitment to personal independence and autonomy.

Location: Washington, D.C.

GPS coordinates: 38.93083,-76.98889

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:06