The Octagon Museum: A historic house of architecture
Home to the oldest architectural museum in the country and home to the American Architectural Foundation, the Octagon Museum itself is an architectural landmark in Washington. Built in 1801 as part of Pierre L'Enfant's original plan for the city, the Octagon is a well-preserved house and museum in one. It focuses on early Federal architecture, the category in which the house itself falls, and both its exhibits and the house are worth studying closely in a visit.
Located across from the White House, tucked in a quiet corner off New York Avenue, the brick house was designed by William Thorton, the original architect of the U.S. Capitol. The Octagon housed President James Madison while the White House was being rebuilt after the British destroyed it during the War of 1812. It also served as a second home for George Washington's wealthy friend, John Tayloe III.
The Octagon is named so for its irregular-shaped lot and thus peculiar-shaped house, which consists of a circle, two rectangles and a triangle. Its design differs from the typical Georgian and Federal periods during which its time frame spans, and was considered a masterpiece in its time.
In 1996, the house underwent massive reconstruction to restore its original appearance, and it's now listed as an official National Historic Landmark. It became home to the American Institute of Architects in 1902, but then the AIA moved its headquarters behind it, and the American Architectural Foundation took over.
Inside, visitors can view permanent and temporary exhibits that rotate through the calendar year. Current and upcoming events are listed on the Web site, though it is not always updated. Past exhibits include Tapestry in Architecture, showing how tapestries complement interiors; the New York World Trade Center model designed for the actual twin towers; and a study of Barcelona's urban development and revitalization.
Posted by Rin-rin Yu
