F Street House

Last updated
Steedman--Ray House
Steeman-Ray House.jpg
Location map Washington, D.C. central.png
Red pog.svg
USA District of Columbia location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location1925 F Street, NW
Washington, D.C.
Coordinates 38°53′50″N77°2′42″W / 38.89722°N 77.04500°W / 38.89722; -77.04500
Built1849 (1849)
Architectural style Greek Revival
NRHP reference No. 90001376 [1]
Added to NRHPSeptember 21, 1990

The F Street House is a historic 19th-century mansion in Washington, D.C., blocks away from the White House, that serves as the official residence of the President of the George Washington University. [2] It is a registered landmark on the National Register of Historic Places and was previously known as the Steedman-Ray House, Alexander Ray House, and as the F Street Club.

Contents

History

The F Street House with the headquarters of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) behind it. 1925 F Street President's Residence GWU.JPG
The F Street House with the headquarters of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) behind it.
The mansion, circa 1865. Clerks in front of office of Commissary General of Prisoners 03858v (cropped).jpg
The mansion, circa 1865.

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

It was purchased by American University in 1920 and served as the "Downtown Campus" for many years. [3] Laura Curtis, wife of New York lawyer James Freeman Curtis, rented the home in the 1920s. [4]

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. [5] [6] 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. The Clubhouse's popularity was boosted by being only a few blocks away from the White House.

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. [7]

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.

Contemporary

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.

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. [4]

From 2000 to 2008, the mansion served as the Alumni House of The George Washington University. In July 2008, the Alumni House officially became the official residence of the President of the George Washington University. [8]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dupont Circle</span> Place in the United States

Dupont Circle is a historic roundabout park and neighborhood of Washington, D.C., located in Northwest D.C. The Dupont Circle neighborhood is bounded approximately by 16th Street NW to the east, 22nd Street NW to the west, M Street NW to the south, and Florida Avenue NW to the north. Much of the neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. However, the local government Advisory Neighborhood Commission and the Dupont Circle Historic District have slightly different boundaries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy Row</span> Section of Washington, DC

Embassy Row is the informal name for a section of Northwest Washington, D.C., with a high concentration of embassies, diplomatic missions, and diplomatic residences. It spans Massachusetts Avenue N.W. between 18th and 35th street, bounded by Scott Circle to the south and the United States Naval Observatory to the north; the term is often applied to nearby streets and neighborhoods that also host diplomatic buildings, such as Kalorama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colonial Club</span> United States historic place

Colonial Club is one of the eleven current eating clubs of Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1891, it is the fifth oldest of the clubs. It is located on 40 Prospect Avenue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waddy Butler Wood</span> American architect (1869-1944)

Waddy Butler Wood was an American architect of the early 20th century and resident of Washington, D.C. Although Wood designed and remodeled numerous private residences, his reputation rested primarily on his larger commissions, such as banks, commercial offices, and government buildings. His most notable works include the Woodrow Wilson House and the Main Interior Building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">City Tavern Club</span> Private club in Washington, D.C., U.S.

The City Tavern Club is a private club in the Georgetown area of Washington, D.C., United States. It is housed in the City Tavern, one of the oldest buildings and the last remaining Federal-period tavern in the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oscar W. Underwood House</span> Historic house in Washington, D.C., United States

The Oscar W. Underwood House is a historic house located in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood Northwest, Washington, D.C. It is nationally significant for its association with Major Archibald Butt, and painter Francis Davis Millet – both of whom died in the Titanic disaster on April 15, 1912 – and also Alabama politician Oscar Underwood (1862–1929) who lived there 1914–1925. It was the first long-term home of the Washington College of Law, the nation's first law school founded and run by women. The property was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976. The building presently houses a legal aid clinic operated by George Washington University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alibi Club</span> United States historic place

The Alibi Club is a traditional private club in Washington, D.C. Its members consist of the Washington elite, including presidents, senators, and diplomats, among other prominent figures.

The campus of the George Washington University (GW), originated on College Hill, a site bounded by 14th Street, Columbia Road, 15th Street and Florida Avenue, NW in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C. After relocating to the downtown financial district in the 1880s and then to Foggy Bottom in 1912, GW now has three campuses. Foggy Bottom is the location of the university's main campus in Washington, D.C. Also in Washington's Foxhall neighborhood is the Mount Vernon Campus, formerly the Mount Vernon College for Women. Additionally, the George Washington University Virginia Campus is located in Ashburn, VA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rainier Club</span> United States historic place

The Rainier Club is a private club in Seattle, Washington; it has been referred to as "Seattle's preeminent private club." Its clubhouse building, completed in 1904, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was founded in 1888 in what was then the Washington Territory. As of 2008, the club has 1,300 members.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sulgrave Club</span> Historic house in Washington, D.C., United States

The Sulgrave Club is a private women's club located at 1801 Massachusetts Avenue NW on the east side of Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C. The clubhouse is the former Beaux-Arts mansion on Embassy Row built for Herbert and Martha Blow Wadsworth and designed by noted architect George Cary. During World War I the Wadsworth House was used as the local headquarters for the American Red Cross.

Steedman may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cutts–Madison House</span> Historic building in Washington, D.C.

The Cutts–Madison House is an American colonial-style historic home, now used for offices located at 1520 H Street NW in Washington, D.C. The house is best known for being the residence of former First Lady Dolley Madison, who lived there from November 1837 until her death in July 1849.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Congressional Club</span> Historic Washington, D.C. club

The Congressional Club is an historic clubhouse located at 2001 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., in the U Street Corridor. The organization it hosts, which is the official club of congressional spouses, was created in May 1908 with the Sixtieth Congress passage of HR22029. The Congressional Club is the only club in the world to be incorporated by an act of Congress. Since 1912, the club has hosted a luncheon honoring the First Lady of the United States. It is the largest annual event sponsored by the Club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metropolitan Club (Washington, D.C.)</span> Private social club in Washington, D.C.

The Metropolitan Club of the City of Washington is a private club in Washington, D.C. The New York Times called it "Washington's oldest and most exclusive club".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University Club of Washington, DC</span>

The University Club of Washington, D.C., is an American private club in downtown Washington, D.C., United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leon E. Dessez</span> American architect

Leon Emil Dessez was an American architect in Washington, D.C. He designed public buildings in the District of Columbia, and residences there and in Maryland, and Virginia, including some of the first in Chevy Chase, Maryland, where he was the community's first resident. His D.C. work includes the 1893 conversion of the Shepherd Centennial Building into the Raleigh Hotel and the Normal School for Colored Girls (1913), designed with Snowden Ashford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">20th Century Club (Reno, Nevada)</span> United States historic place

With this motto, "The measure of the worth of an organization to its community, is bound in its ability to embrace opportunities for service" the Twentieth Century Club had its beginning in 1894. Mrs. Walter McNab Miller served as President for an original group of 84 women. The Club's name was chosen to reflect a look forward to the future and the beginning of the new century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George S. Cooper</span> American architect and builder

George S. Cooper was an American architect and builder from Washington, D.C. During his 40-year career, he was responsible for designing around 850 properties, including homes, commercial buildings and apartment buildings, several of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The 1903 book History of the City of Washington states: "It may be thought that Mr. Cooper's forte lies in the designing of apartment houses, since the handsomest in the city are a result of his genius..." and "No young man has played a more important part in the active growth and great development of Greater Washington than George S. Cooper..."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Albert L. Harris</span> American architect (1869–1933)

Albert L. Harris was an American architect who worked primarily in Washington, D.C. He was born in Wales and emigrated to the United States as a young child. He worked for architectural firms in Chicago and Baltimore and then Washington, where he also obtained an architectural degree from George Washington University. He was a part-time professor there while also working for the US Navy and then the city of Washington where he served as the city's Municipal Architect from 1921 until his death in 1933. A number of his works are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert O. Scholz</span> American architect

Robert O. Scholz (1895–1978) was an American architect from Washington, D.C., who is considered one of the city's most important Art Deco designers. A native of New York City, his German parents later moved to Chicago, where he studied at the Armour Institute. Scholz briefly served during World War I before moving to Washington, D.C. He worked as an engineer and draftsman before starting his own architectural firm in 1922.

References

  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. The George Washington University - Office of the President: F Street House
  3. Downtown campus : 20th and F Streets (1921)
  4. 1 2 "1925 F Street, NW, A Rich History and Tradition in Washington, D.C." (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-06-12. Retrieved 2007-11-15.
  5. "Paid Notice: Deaths CURTIS, LAURA E." New York Times. 2003-10-13. Retrieved 2007-11-15.
  6. "1925 F Street, NW" (PDF). George Washington University. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-06-12. Retrieved 2007-11-15.
  7. Collier's January 24, 1953
  8. "President-elect Knapp to live in Alumni House - News". Archived from the original on 2007-08-10. Retrieved 2008-07-07.