The DC Traveler

Caroline Kennedy’s Dolls at the Decatur House

by Jon on November 15th, 2007

Across the street from Lafayette Park on H Street is the Stephen Decatur House, the former home one of American’s most famous naval heroes and the last private residence on Lafayette Square.  It’s also one of DC’s oldest surviving homes, dating back to 1818.

Decatur served as a U.S. naval officer and held several important commands in the undeclared naval war with France, the War with Tripoli (Barbary War) and the War of 1812. Starting his Naval career as a Midshipman onboard the USS United States starting in 1798, he later commanded that same vessel. His accomplishments included the recapturing of a U.S. warship that had been captured and moored in the port of Tripoli, which earned him the name “the Conqueror of the Barbary Pirates“. 

As part of Washington’s social elite, after a dinner party, he replied to a toast, “Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong.”  His words have often been misquoted as “My country, right or wrong.”

 Building the first home on Lafayette Square, Stephen Decatur, moved into the red-brick Federal style home on H Street in 1819, but within 14 months was dead. 

After a ten-year quarrel with a former friend and Navy Commodore James Barron, the two men met in 1820 for a pistol duel in Bladensburg, Maryland, as dueling in Washington was illegal. Barron held a long-term grudge against Decatur for participating in his court-martial.  When they exchanged shots, both men were struck, but Decatur died several hours later after returning to his home, shocking the city and the nation.

In 1836, John Gadsby the former owner of Gadsby’s Tavern in Alexandria and his wife moved into Decatur House. He added a separate two-story stucco structure in the rear as a living quarters for his 17 slaves.  The layout of the building, with access only to the courtyard with no doors leading to the street, allowed allowed Gadsby to better direct and control his salves.

Other residents included American statesman Henry Clay and the eighth U.S. President, Martin van Buren.  The home was last owned by the Beale family, who were able to preserve the residence until 1956, making it the last private residence on Lafayette Square, as well as the first.

The plan to demolish Decatur House and build an office building on the site was stopped in 1961, partly when First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy spearheaded a preservation project to protect the historic neighborhood.

The home is open for tours daily, except on Mondays. The first floor is decorated in period furniture from Decatur’s time, while the second floor is furnished in the Victorian style, popular by the last residing family, the Beales.

The Stephen Decatur House is currently showing Gifts from the World to the White House: Caroline Kennedy’s Doll Collection.

On loan from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum the collection consists over 70 dolls gifted to Caroline Kennedy as state gifts from 30 nations as well as dolls from private citizens.

The highlight of the collection is the five-foot playhouse presented by France’s Madame de Gaulle when the Kennedy’s visited Paris in 1961. Caroline Kennedy was just three-years old when her father became President on January 21, 1961.

Stephen Decatur House
748 Jackson Place, NW, between H St. NW and Pennsylvania Ave. 
Washington, DC 20006 (map it)

Days and Hours - Tuesdays - Saturdays - 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sundays - Noon - 4:00 p.m.  30-45 minute guided tours start every hour, at fifteen minutes past the hour.  The Kennedy Doll exhibit is on display until January 14, 2008.

Tickets - Suggested admission - $5.00, plus $5.00 for the doll.

Nearest Metro Subway Station - Farragut West, Blue and Orange lines, then a 1-block walk, or Farragut North, Red line, then a 2-block walk. 

Parking - Metered street parking is available, but may be challenging to find. Nearby paid garage parking is also available.

Images - Dolls - Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, home - Flickr

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POSTED IN: City History & Information, Great Places to Unwind, Great Walks, People Watching