TIMELINE
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1818 Construction begins on Decatur House, designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe and located on the northwest corner of Lafayette Square.

1819 Stephen and Susan Decatur establish residence.

1820 Decatur dies from wound received in duel with Commodore James Barron. Susan vacates Decatur House and offers it as a rental property.

1820-1835 Susan Decatur rents Decatur House. Her include three foreign ministers and three Secretaries of State: Henry Clay, Martin Van Buren, and Edward Livingston.

1836-1844 John Gadsby, a local hotel and tavern owner, purchases Decatur House from Susan Decatur. He constructs a two-story rear dependency wing to use as quarters for the over ten enslaved people he brings to Decatur House, including the King and Williams families. Gadsby dies in 1844.

1844-1861 Gadsby’s widow Providence, while still living on the first floor, offers the remainder of the house as rental space. Her tenants include Vice President George M. Dallas and Senator Judah P. Benjamin.

1861-1872 Union Army rents Decatur House from Gadsby estate. Uses property as Subsistence Bureau, offices, warehouse, etc.

1872 Edward F. Beale purchases Decatur House from Gadsby descendants.

1875 Victorian renovations begin.

1893 Death of Edward Beale; his widow Mary continues to reside at Decatur House.

1903 Death of Mary Beale; son Truxtun inherits the home. Truxtun served as Ambassador to Persia, Greece, Rumania, and Serbia.

1938 Death of Truxtun Beale; widow Marie inherits Decatur House.

1944 Marie Beale hires architect Thomas Waterman to restore parts of the home to its Federal appearance. Beale eventually becomes the last private resident of Lafayette Square.

1956 Death of Marie Beale; Decatur House is bequeathed to the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of its first historic sites.

1960 Designated a National Historic Landmark by the Department of the Interior.

2006 Decatur House celebrates its 50th Anniversary as a National Trust Historic Site.