Mr. Key, an attorney and poet, lived here with his family many years, and resided here at the time of the bombardment of Fort McHenry. Near by was his law office, a little brick building.
HOUSE OF THE EARLY DAYS IN GEORGETOWN ON OLD BRIDGE (M) STREET
In 1814, while the British fleet was in Chesapeake Bay, Mr. Key attempted to secure the release of his friend Dr. William Beane, of Marlboro, Md., who had been captured. He was held on shipboard during the shelling of Fort McHenry on the night of September 13. Key’s anxiety became intense. With the first approach of dawn Mr. Key turned his eyes in the direction of the fort and its flag, but darkness had given place to a heavy fog. Finally, through a vista in the smoke and vapor he could dimly see the flag of his country. Overjoyed and inspired by the sight, he composed The Star-Spangled Banner. This is now our national anthem by an act of Congress approved March 3, 1931, as follows:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the composition consisting of words and music known as The Star-Spangled Banner is designated the national anthem of the United States of America.
The historic flag that flew over Fort McHenry is on exhibition at the Historical Museum of the Smithsonian Institution.
TUDOR PLACE
TUDOR PLACE, THIRTY-FIRST AND Q STREETS
Tudor Place, located at Thirty-first and Q Streets NW., is one of the fine examples of the architecture of the early days of the Republic in Washington. It was designed by Dr. William Thornton, Architect of the Capitol, and built about 1805 by Thomas Peter, who was one of the original landowners of the District of Columbia. Mr. Peter married Martha Parke Custis, Mrs. Washington’s granddaughter. Tudor Place is still the residence of lineal descendants of Martha Washington and contains many heirlooms of the family. General Lafayette and other distinguished visitors were entertained here.