DOLLY MADISON HOUSE
The Dolly Madison House, at the corner of H Street and Madison Place NW., adjacent to Lafayette Square, was built by Dolly Madison’s brother-in-law in 1818.
DOLLY MADISON HOUSE
After the death of President Madison in 1833 Mrs. Madison returned to Washington and resided in the house until her death in 1849. In her day it was a little gray residence, but a place where she presided as a charming hostess for many years. The purchase by Congress of the Madison Papers for $30,000 made it possible for her to live there. Born in the year 1768, she became intimately acquainted with many who took part in the Revolutionary War, and through her long life linked her generation with that of the present day.
Among the men and women of importance who were frequent visitors in her home, who exerted an influence to strengthen the seat of government and became noted characters in American history, were Mr. and Mrs. John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, Mrs. Alexander Hamilton, Mrs. Stephen Decatur, Mrs. William Thornton, Mrs. Tobias Lear, and Gen. John Peter Van Ness.
During the Civil War the house was occupied by Gen. George B. McClellan, at that time in command of the Army of the Potomac, and about the year 1885 the house was purchased by the Cosmos Club, which now occupies it.