Society of the Cincinnati, Patriotic heritage museum in Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, United States.
The Society of the Cincinnati is an organization on Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, housed in a three-story residential palace overlooking a courtyard. Its rooms hold murals, crystal chandeliers, and furniture from the early 20th century, while galleries display weapons and uniforms.
Officers founded the society after the war ended as an association for veterans and their families. The building was erected after 1902 by Larz Anderson and his wife, and has served as headquarters since their donation.
The name comes from the Roman general Cincinnatus, who returned to his farm after fulfilling his duty. The institution gathers descendants of officers who served in the Revolutionary War, preserving their records in a reading room lined with dark wood and leather-bound volumes.
The entrance sits on the north side of the street, with a courtyard accessed through a gate. Visitors can walk through the main rooms and view collections in the side wings, though some areas open only during guided tours.
An 18th-century Buddhist figure stands in the hall, brought back from the Andersons' travels through Asia. The couple also acquired Japanese screens and Chinese porcelain now displayed in the cabinets.
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