Mistaken Identity: The Curious Case of the Oldest House in Washington DC!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 มิ.ย. 2024
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Join us on a captivating journey to Washington DC's oldest surviving house and discover how a mix-up in history saved it from demolition! Uncover the fascinating tales and transformations of this historic gem!
Location: Georgetown
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Public Domain Photos from: Library of Congress, National Parks Service
CC BY 2.0(creativecommons.org/licenses/...) Photos from: Flickr User: Ken Lund
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CC BY-SA 3.0(creativecommons.org/licenses/... from: Wikipedia User: Hu Totya, Karl Gruber, Something Original, Trolvag, AgnosticPreachersKid
CC BY-SA 4.0(creativecommons.org/licenses/...) Photos from: Wikipedia User: APK
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Wow, that is one lucky house! And it’s beautiful! I can’t believe it ended up as a car dealership and still remained so lovely inside.
I’ve been to this home too. It’s on the Main Street of Georgetown and has a very interesting story. I’m glad it was saved!
Very interesting. As a local it always feels like DC, Arlington, and Alexandria’s history is over shadowed.
Especially considering it being the nations capital and the areas importance in the modern geopolitical sphere.
No major Revolutionary War battles or events occurred in the region. And the high density of Civil War activity took place 20 miles further west.
The upper portion of the oldest historic home in Washington DC underwent a brick makeover, possibly for cost-saving reasons, while the lower section remains adorned in stone. I like the transition from stone to brick.
Yes, you finally did a story about my hometown finally
Georgetown graduate here. Good memories.
So glad it wasn't torn down. Great that they have made it into a museum. Thanks so much.
Great video as always. Close to my heart as I used to work a block away - every summer, while walking to the Metro, I used to provide directions for tourists looking for The Old Stone House, so it must have been mentioned in tourist guide books.
Interesting story! Glad it was spared. The difference between the rustic stone construction of the earlier 1700s, and the clean lines of the finished dining room definitely reflects influences of both France and England as the Colonies became more prosperous. We visited Old Town (VA) back in 2019, and two of my favorite places were Gadsby's Tavern and the Carlyle House Museum, which were frequented by famous people of the day. Carlyle House has an interesting tie-in with the PBS Series Mercy Street.
Yes, I enjoyed this. The 1950’s were the dark days of architectural preservation. They would have knocked that house down so they could park half a dozen more used cars & wouldn’t have thought twice about it. But so glad this house survived . I love visiting these old houses. They used brick in the gables; I thought that was a little unusual.
Very cool! 😎
Nice. 👍
Thanks Ken for sharing this fascinating story!!! 👍👍🙂
How nice to see a more humble structure featured. It makes me very happy to learn the names of the original builders and how it was upgraded as it changed hands through the years. This was a delightful video.
Always great! This channel has so much content.
Ken has given us a free education in our architectural history. Love this channel.
Yes, Ken’s deep knowledge of our architectural heritage is amazing. I really enjoy learning about these houses that are featured in these videos and find that I like the smaller houses vs. the mega mansions of the rich. City/town/county planning commissions ought to be required to watch episodes of this program before they vote to tear down yet another architectural gem to make way for ugly parking lots, apartments and parking lots. These old houses can and should be tastefully repurposed for other things if they’re in places that are in zones for commercial or mixed use. It is vital that we take care of these old houses because they are a reminder of our past.
Thanks for another awesome look into our history, Ken. Love your appreciation for the stories behind these homes.
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Another wonderful video Ken! Thanks!
Interesting!
Great Video...were the stairs on both sides of the door at various times? The pictures keep showing the stairs flipping back and forth.
Colonial American architecture and decor is a big favorite of mine. It is simple but very elegant. The fireplace mantle is stunning!
I’m so glad that the house didn’t go the way of the wrecking ball. Too many lovely old houses like this one are torn down every day to build ugly strip malls, parking lots and cheaply made apartments in our country. When will we ever learn that “new” isn’t always better when it comes to architectural gems like this house? Interesting and unique old houses are an important part of our collective heritage.
Didn't think you could tear down old building these days due to preservation ?
Having lived in both Washington, DC, and Philadelphia, might I suggest an exploration into the demolition of the purported original Betsy Ross House? The one that tourists now visit is said to be the house next door to Betsy Ross's dwelling because a demolition crew got the address wrong in the 1930's and destroyed beyond rebuilding most of the original house. But that may be Philly folk lore and an urban myth I "learned" as a child?
If not folklore, that’s a pretty big oops.
@@oneminuteofmyday Yes, indeed! Can you begin to imagine how incompetent such a construction crew leader would have to admit that they were? That's one reason I've always doubted this version of "oral history" even though I repeatedly heard it from various people who did not know each other. By the way, thanks aplenty for correctly spelling "folklore" despite my often wrong but always intrusive AI spellcheck!
This kind of thing happens when city departments don’t communicate well with each other, and that happens A LOT! Recently, a few years ago, the oldest house in Detroit was demolished accidentally. It was the last remaining French built building that dated to the early 1700’s when Detroit was an outpost more or less. The home had been identified sometime back in the 1930s but was forgotten about and by the early 2000s the neighborhood had gone downhill and the house had been empty for a while. Looters had come in and taken anything of value and had exposed the original hand cut logs of the structure. At the same time, an inspection of the building happened to have it deemed uninhabitable but somebody from the historical commission, discovered that it was the oldest remaining structure in Detroit and requested a stay of demolition. But a demolition request had been filed and had to be quickly put on hold until further notice. The demolition department did not get the notice in time Because they were not paying attention to their email messages from the other departments and the building was demolished and carted away, hand hewn logs and history in the dump. One person stood by and watched it happen and the story made the paper. Nobody cared. It was just another day.
Superb performance from Detroit yet again.
@@ScottAJacob well that was a truly sickening story🤦🏼♀️...
No one read their emails? Listened to their voicemails? Got a text alert? Opened a letter and/or FedEx? Once again, developers got their way, their motto being: "screw American history."
I lived in DC many years but never heard of it. I would have loved to visit it...
In the early 1980's, I toured this lovely house, which today marks the transitions of Georgetown's "M" Street and the start of
Pennsylvania Avenue. Between 1886 and 2002, the nearby Columbia Hospital for Women and Lying-in Asylum offered hospital, dispensary, and a child birthing services at no cost for those unable to pay.
Great story, enjoyed it!
Passed this last week on the 33 bus, crazy to see it pop up
Yes I really enjoyed this video...from the type of structure to the history! Thanks
So glad it was spared!
That fire place is beautiful
Lovely video. I walk by the house all the time, and it seems quite busy with tourists. I have yet to go inside, but your video inspires me to do so!
Very quaint amongst a very crowded and busy Georgetown.
If you're in DC the closest Metro station is Foggy Bottom-GWU.
If you're a horror movie buff, after visiting the house, keep walking down M St to The Exorcist steps. Hike up those and keep enjoying some of the old homes in Georgetown.
While you’re at the stairs consider attempting the “Father Miller Dive and Tumble Challenge”.
Great fun 10/10
Thank you. Great Video.
I did enjoy this video....I enjoy all of them and love what you do!
Thanks
Great video. The claim that " Washington slept here" has saved a few buildings from the wrecking ball.
Love your videos❤
A REAL DEMOLITION FREE ZONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN, LONG LIVE "THIS HOUSE"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice wish more of the interior could be shown
Love it
It's so cute 😊❤
LOL...the President is the 2nd oldest Structure!