AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY EXHIBIT
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One of the most siginificant features of the Decatur House site is its former slave quarters, constructed by the second owner of the residence, John
Gadsby. After obtaining the property in 1956, the National Trust for Historic Preservation made Decatur House its headquarters and converted this space into offices. In 2002, the museum decided to convert the space into an exhibit gallery, and in its renovation process, discovered orginial components of the slave quarters, previously thought lost.

These components, included fireboxes and a studwall, were left exposed as a reminder of this important part of the history of Decatur House. An accompanying exhibition includes information about the urban slave
experience in Washington, and in particular, the enslaved African Americans who lived and worked at Decatur House, including the King and Williams families, enslaved by John Gadsby and the original occupants of this structure, and Charlotte Dupuy, a brave woman who sued her owner, Decatur House renter Henry Clay, for her freedom.

This exhibit is on permanent display and is accessible during normal museum hours.