1925 F Street Club

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Steedman--Ray House
Steeman-Ray House.jpg
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Location 1925 F Street, NW
Washington, D.C.
Coordinates 38°53′50″N77°2′42″W / 38.89722°N 77.04500°W / 38.89722; -77.04500 Coordinates: 38°53′50″N77°2′42″W / 38.89722°N 77.04500°W / 38.89722; -77.04500
Built 1849 (1849)
Architectural style Greek Revival
NRHP reference #

90001376

[1]
Added to NRHP September 21, 1990

The 1925 F Street Club, also known as the Steedman-Ray House or the Alexander Ray House, is today a historic home that serves as the official residence of the President of George Washington University.

George Washington University university in Washington, D.C.

The George Washington University is a private research university in Washington, D.C. It was chartered in 1821 by an act of the United States Congress.

Contents

History

The Greek Revival building was constructed for U.S. Navy Captain Alexander Ray (1799–1878) in 1849.

Alexander Ray is a New Zealand racing cyclist.On 18 April 2018 Ray was hit by a car while out training in Auckland, he was then put into an induced coma.

It was purchased by American University in 1920 and served as the "Downtown Campus" for many years. [2] Laura Curtis, wife of New York lawyer James Freeman Curtis, rented the home in the 1920s. [3]

American University private liberal arts and research-based university in Washington, D.C.

The American University (AU or American) is a private research university in Washington, D.C. Its main campus spans 90 acres near Ward Circle, a residential area in the northwest of the District. AU was chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1893 at the urging of Methodist bishop John Fletcher Hurst, who sought to create an institution that would promote public service, internationalism, and pragmatic idealism. AU broke ground in 1902, opened in 1914, and admitted its first undergraduates in 1925. Although affiliated with the United Methodist Church, religious affiliation is not a criterion for admission.

20th Street view 1925 F Street President's Residence GWU.JPG
20th Street view

In 1935, the 1925 F Street Club, Inc. purchased the property and operated a private members' club from the building, started by Laura M. Gross. [4] [5] The Club counted many well known and influential men as regular guests, including Presidents Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, George H. W. Bush and members of their respective Administrations. This popularity could well have been because the Clubhouse was only a few blocks away from the White House.

John F. Kennedy 35th president of the United States

John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy, commonly referred to by his initials JFK, was an American politician and journalist who served as the 35th president of the United States from January 1961 until his assassination in November 1963. He served at the height of the Cold War, and the majority of his presidency dealt with managing relations with the Soviet Union. A member of the Democratic Party, Kennedy represented Massachusetts in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate prior to becoming president.

George H. W. Bush 41st president of the United States

George Herbert Walker Bush was an American politician who served as the 41st president of the United States from 1989 to 1993 and the 43rd vice president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. A member of the Republican Party, he held posts that included those of congressman, ambassador, and CIA director. Until his son George W. Bush became the 43rd president in 2001, he was usually known simply as George Bush.

White House Official residence and workplace of the President of the United States

The White House is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C. and has been the residence of every U.S. President since John Adams in 1800. The term "White House" is often used as a metonym for the president and his advisers.

The Clubhouse also served as a popular meeting place of the East Coast elite (in particular those who held powerful positions in the C.I.A. and the Department of State); and who hold informal meetings at the club. It was once labelled as "...the most difficult door to open in Washington D.C.". Indeed, the club was so exclusive that not even its members knew exactly who else belonged entirely. It was the place where men of power and influence dined, drank and socialized as they charted America's course according to Collier Magazine. [6]

It was managed by a Board of Directors consisting of ten members. They were the "Old Guard," from prominent Washington, D.C. families who carefully guarded all operational aspects of the club.

The club hosted members of the most prominent families in the United States, as well as senior officials from around Washington D.C. and beyond including the President of the World Bank Group, The Governor of the Bank of England and the Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs. The membership totaled about 850 socialites from their era according to Richard Casiano, the General Manager from 1982 until his retirement in 1997. Richard was first hired as a bartender on January 1, 1981, and became the General Manager of the club on July 1, 1982.

President of the World Bank Group

The President of the World Bank Group is the head of World Bank Group. The president is responsible for chairing the meetings of the Boards of Directors and for overall management of the World Bank Group. Traditionally, the World Bank Group President has always been an American citizen nominated by the United States, the largest shareholder in the World Bank Group. The nominee is subject to confirmation by the Board of Executive Directors, to serve for a five-year, renewable term. While most World Bank Group presidents have had banking experience, some have not.

Bank of England Central bank of the United Kingdom

The Bank of England is the central bank of the United Kingdom and the model on which most modern central banks have been based. Established in 1694 to act as the English Government's banker, and still one of the bankers for the Government of the United Kingdom, it is the world's eighth-oldest bank. It was privately owned by stockholders from its foundation in 1694 until it was nationalised in 1946.

Goldman Sachs U.S. investment bank

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., is an American multinational investment bank and financial services company headquartered in New York City. It offers services in investment management, securities, asset management, prime brokerage, and securities underwriting.

The Club was operated the same as a well staffed English country manor, which included male staff wearing traditional white-tie uniforms. There was no menu and guests were served whatever was prepared for the day; however, members could order special meals in advance and for their special parties.

The F Street Club closed in 1999. [3]

The building then served as the Alumni House of The George Washington University. In July 2008, the Alumni House officially became the President's House and so remains today. [7]

See also

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