Old Stone House Georgetown: D.C.'s Little Wedding House in the City
Out of all the historic homes in Washington, probably one of the most favorite is the small, modest little Old Stone House Georgetown. Its significance, however, dates back to pre-Revolutionary War days, when the house was still constructed. The Old Stone House Georgetown is the last original residence from that time period still resting on its original foundation in Washington.
Today, it is a historic site and museum, visited by tourists through the year not for the fancy décor and striking architecture that the other Washington historic homes boast, but for its introduction to colonial life. Its gardens have also become an extraordinarily popular wedding venue for both Washingtonians and out-of-towners.
The Old Stone House was built in 1765 as a one-room house for a couple of modest means, who sold it to a widow a couple of years later. The widow added a kitchen in back and a second and third floor to the structure that exists today.
The first floor was made with granite from an area near the Potomac River and oak from forests that were once abundant in Georgetown. Visitors can see the rough construction of the first floor made by hand tools. The second floor construction is more refined, as are its rooms, which include a dining room and parlor. The third floor is made of brick and was more plain, possibly for children's bedrooms and storage.
Through the years, the Old Stone House served as the storefront for many businesses, given its prime location on M Street, N.W., in Georgetown, even when it was first built. Its last business was a used car dealership in the 1950s, before the federal government purchased the house and the National Park Service began restoring it to its original interior from the 18th century.
It opened to the public for viewing in 1960. There is one piece of original furniture from the house -- a clock from one of its boarders, but the rest of the house is furnished by replacements in the style of the late 18th century. Today, there's a garden in the back, and the first two floors are available for viewing, and a gift shop to peruse. The garden is also an open park for visitors to relax during lunch or on a nice day.
HelloWashingtonDC Tip: If you're one of those budding brides who wishes to marry in the Old Stone House gardens, go to the National Park Service website for details or call 202-895-6000. Fee is $200.
Posted on Mar 28, 2011 by Rin-rin Yu
