What’s one of the quirkiest, most historic, most overlooked sites in D.C.? If you ask me, it’s definitely The Octagon! This odd-shaped house just a few blocks from the White House once served as President Madison’s White House, but the best part is… It’s not an octagon at all! It’s actually a hexagon. Need to know more about this unique site in D.C.? Keep reading!

What is the Octagon House?

Today, this historic house museum is owned by the Architects Foundation and once served as the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Headquarters beginning in 1898. It underwent a massive restoration project at the time–one of the first in the nation–and has been a museum since the 1970s. It’s architecturally interesting because of its shape, both inside and out. Many of the doors are curved, and there are several closets inside, which is highly unusual for the time in which it was built! Who designed this unique place? His name was Dr. William Thornton, who also designed both the original United States Capitol building and Tudor Place, which you can visit in Georgetown.

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History

Why would anyone but an architect be interested in this house? There are plenty of reasons to visit, but if American history is of any interest to you (and if you’re visiting D.C., it’s likely for the American history), you will definitely want to put the Octagon House on your list of places to visit.

This historic house was completed in 1801 for Colonel John Tayloe III, and is one of the oldest private residences. His family–including 15 children–lived here until his wife’s death in 1855. During that time, the Madisons hosted many parties here, including several of Dolley’s famous “squeezes,” so-named because so many people attended, they had to “squeeze” tightly together for everyone to fit! This home also played three key roles in the War of 1812:

1. When the D.C. and the White House were burned by the British in 1814, Dolley Madison famously saved the iconic portrait of George Washington by bringing it here, to the home of her friends, the Tayloes.
2. Because this house had not been burned and the Madisons needed a place to live and operate, President Madison rented this home to serve as his White House for six months while the President’s Mansion (as it was known before anyone called it the “White House”) underwent repairs. The Tayloes lived at their plantation home in Virginia, Mount Airy, during this time.
3. President Madison signed the Treaty of Ghent here, ending the War of 1812. You can still see the original box in which the treaty traveled, as well as the desk where he signed it, inside the house!

Click here for more of the Octagon’s history.

Keep reading: Your Ultimate Guide to D.C. for History Lovers

Highlights of the Tour

I highly recommend taking a tour of this unique home. Tours run hourly for about 45 minutes and include the home’s architectural features, history, and changing exhibits on the upper level. Below are some of the highlights.

• The Original Treaty Desk: This unique, round desk is also a filing cabinet with triangular drawers, and the table top turns 360 degrees! Unfortunately, you can’t touch it, as it’s well over 200 years old. This is the desk where President Madison–you guessed it–signed the Treaty of Ghent. Interestingly, this desk had been lost for some years and was eventually rediscovered at an auction in San Francisco. A member of the AIA happened to see it, buy it, and return it to the Octagon!
• Ghosts: Like many places in Washington, D.C., it’s rumored to be haunted. You may hear a few of these stories on your tour… Or you may just see an apparition here for yourself!
• Original Dishes in the Dining Room: I’m always fascinated when I visit a historic home and see items that are original to the family or to the house. The Octagon House has several such items, not the least of which are the family dishes.
• Large Kitchen and Servant’s Quarters: What’s the big deal about a kitchen? For one thing, this one is quite large for the time period. And for another, it’s actually inside, in the basement, at a time when kitchens were usually separate from the main house.
• Treaty Room and Temporary Oval Office: Upstairs, you’ll be shown to the Treaty Room, where President Madison signed the Treaty of Ghent. In this room, you’ll see the box in which it was transported from Ghent to the Octagon while it served as the temporary White House. You will also find…
• The Reproduction Treaty Desk: It’s true! You can’t touch the one downstairs, but this one is a fully functioning replica made by students, complete with rotating table top and wedge-shaped drawers. It’s a pretty impressive reproduction, if you ask me!

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Hours and Admission

The Octagon House is open for tours, but hours vary seasonally. Be sure to check their website here for the latest information. Generally, tours are offered hourly from 11:00am-3:00pm Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are available in advance on their website, but you can also buy them onsite upon arrival as well. Admission is $10 per adult, with discounts for DC residents, seniors, students, and teachers. For groups of 10 or more, e-mail octagonmuseum@aia.org.

More here: D.C.’s Best Sites Off the Beaten Path

Location

You will find the Octagon House at 1799 New York Ave, NW. Visitors can Metro to Farragut West (Blue, Orange, Silver lines) or Farragut North (Red line) and walk a few blocks to see it for themselves. It’s just two blocks west of the White House, and right across the street from the Red Cross Headquarters, which you can also visit while you’re here.

Right across the street: How to Visit the Historic Red Cross Headquarters in D.C.

Want more? Get everything you need to plan your D.C. trip on my dedicated Washington, D.C., Page!

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