Blanche K. Bruce House, National Historic Landmark in Blagden Alley-Naylor Court Historic District, Washington, D.C.
The Blanche K. Bruce House is a four-story residence designed in Second Empire style located on M Street Northwest in Washington, D.C. The building displays characteristic features of this architectural movement, including a mansard roof, ornamental detailing, and rounded-arch windows on the ground floor.
This residence was home to Blanche Kelso Bruce, who served as the first African American to complete a full term in the United States Senate. His rise from slavery to becoming a major political figure marked a turning point in post-Civil War American politics.
The residence stands as a symbol of African American advancement during the Reconstruction period, when formerly enslaved people rose to political prominence and influence. The home served as a gathering place where political and social networks formed around the family's success.
The building is located in the Shaw neighborhood between 9th and 10th Streets, situated within the Blagden Alley-Naylor Court Historic District. The site is accessible by public transportation and sits among other historically significant properties in the area.
In 1879, Bruce made history by presiding over the Senate, becoming the first former slave to hold that role. This remarkable moment occurred while he was residing at this address, leaving a lasting mark on the nation's political legacy.
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