Dolley Madison House, Washington, DC

Location: 1520 H St NW, Washington, DC 20005

The Dolley Madison House, is a simple, three-story buff colored stucco building, designed in the Federal style of architecture. The house, located at the southeast corner of Madison Place and H Street, was built in 1818-20 by Richard Cutts, Dolley Madison’s brother-in-law. Cutts borrowed the money for the construction from James Madison, who had recently ended his tenure as the fourth president of the United States.

In 1829, after Cutts had lost most of his fortune in unsuccessful business ventures, ownership of the house reverted to President Madison, who never lived in it. Upon his death in 1836, his wife inherited the property and owned it until her death.

The structure is part of the Lafayette Square National Historic Landmark District.

Facts

• Construction Date: 1820 
• GSA Building Number: DC0111AA
• Landmark Status: National Historic Landmark