House of the Temple, Masonic temple in Dupont Circle, Washington DC, United States
House of the Temple is a museum and Masonic temple in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington DC, built from solid granite and flanked by two seated sphinx figures. A wide outdoor staircase rises toward the colonnade with its large Doric columns that form the front of the building.
Architect John Russell Pope designed the building between 1911 and 1915 as the headquarters for the Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite. The completed structure quickly became one of the best-known examples of neoclassical architecture in the American capital.
The name refers to temples of King Solomon, which hold symbolic meaning in Freemasonry. Visitors can spot symbols such as the compass, square, and all-seeing eye in public rooms, which carry central importance in Masonic tradition.
The building stands on 16th Street Northwest, within walking distance of Meridian Hill Park. Tours take place on weekdays and show the main hall, library, and other accessible rooms.
The pyramidal roof borrows from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The architecture combines Egyptian elements such as the sphinxes with Greek column forms, creating an unusual mix of ancient influences.
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