The Washington weekly post., 1900-05-08

The renovauag ,C the old building at
t.e northwest corner o. N.-eie.A-h s''''
and Pennsylvania avenue .s'tFra "1"'
gau..I..s ard traditions which aa'e 0'1N
banded down f.u a-.,f-.oa -s s.'.'
ton since 80, s.T..as and i--.-4''-'-
times ol l,l-
Perhaps csw'psrsous passing along l".s
l.--y ,aOEougH,aTe aE. aware Thar '"'s
.H.5iUE. which g. now o"o-alri Dy
,I-E store. tailor shop studio. ana -."s'
l..DEg apartment was al one '.H- --e
.Ealsf.yg Mansion o. the nation. D, "'S
.ad a- such for some months " Iis'-
.-0lt Madison.
The broad, loW granite steps which IN .
-.. far .ast were 80 often irHl "s '-'
greatest statesmen OF the day. .a'- '''" .
moved iI0m the grand old ea,taN-. Oh .
.ea-sylyarid avenue. and now lead 70 .
... rather limited doorway ou NiI-'r1H'" /
-.1.g- The massive red brick walls nave .
been painted d huf color. ,J hide me /
aTks " age, and the broad stone coping .
las been tinted ths same shade. '"r
.ont part VI the nF-, floor has been con- /
..rt,d into Two large stores tlr corner /
one being occupied by drug store. Win T.
.rlug auartmeEt- fu the rear Miss os-
..n. rIe wg.-ka0ua young sculptor has /
..-r studio a. rH. second floor. other parts
OF which. - sell 49, 90, third hOur,
r.gv. .-r4 as fats. The far-!dmed draw
.uE-Isams. Gluiug-rOUm, and not less IA
mons kitchen alone remain unchanged.
lr NaG.-0l'- return 20 Washington
.r-r 10 had been burned by the English,
. August ISL he t0Jk up his residence
. tl- old OgtOgOu House, al Eighteenth
..r... and New York avenue. few
months later lie removed 10 this house,
s...u &. those days was considered
.u4a.Uas mansion. The ground floor was
occupied uy him for executive purposes.
q. a.- r.re, in The great corner room,
which - now lined with drugs TO heal
physical wounds, that political balms
were b.ue0ctcd 10 heal the wounds OF
Efg.aul and America 1t was in this
.a.u that many important questions Of
slate were solved, here that the serious
problem Of dealing with the Indians was
discussed, international relationships were
.H.citod, and here that the brave heroes
E--t and discussed their campaigns.
Excellent STATE of Preservation.
Many a brilliant throng passed up the
l.a, Lroad mahogany stairway TO the
,rlwiug-rOoms which were located on the
second floor, where the gracious Dolly
Madison and her hOspilable husband vel
coined their guests in the grand circular
l.,rTuou-TOOm, which led into the draw
-lE-rUOms and diniug-TOOm. This floor Of
The building is in an excellent state of
preservation; both time and men have
dealt gently with these apartments. The
walls Of the spacious drawing room still
retain their ancient color, which was
PAINTED a century ago. The dun old gold
emphasizes the whiteness of the enamcled
woodwork. The immense old fireplace
large enough for two seats 10 be placed
within IL, tells the story OF the hickory
knots which once threw ruddy lights over
50 many brilliant thr0nEs An ancient
chandelier, for burning oil, Is stil sus-
pended from the center Of the ceiling by
massive chain, reminding one Of the count
loss fair scenes it has illuminated. The
windows, which reach from the ceiling 10
The floor, are surrounded by carved wood
work enameled in white and tipped with
gold, IN fair condition. The flooring is OF
wide massive boards so closely Joined as
10 appear almost solid. This same style
of flooring Is seen throughout the build
ing, and though greatly worn by the foot
steps OF hundred years, the boards are
sun firm
Massive folding doors enameled in white
on the drawingrOOm side, and in lavender
IN the dining-rOOm side, lead into the
latter apartment, the walls and wood
work OF which were painted in lavender
lhat has almost faded into pale gray
The windows OF this room look across the
lErr commanding a magnificent view Of
lrglnla. In Mrs. MadisOn'S time this
room was furnished I'm solid mahogany. ,
and II was around this hOspitahle board.
which glistened with cut glass and silver.
that the war heroes, diplomats, and
statesmen OF the day were gathered.
Famous Old Kitchen.
The dining-rOOm led into the kitchen
through small hallway into which OPEN
80 the great StOrerOOm. In this kItcnon is
sun seen the cupboard and the ancient
range which was built in the wall al the
time the house was erected. A line Of
seven bells about foot apart hang close
I" the ceiling. The cords of the bells are
found IN the various rooms, and the same
tasSels which Mrs. Madison's dainty hand
touched 70 call = maid stiN hang idly by
The walls
Passing through the hall to the south cf
the building. one finds the high mahogany
door which leads into the library. in which
MAS hung the famous picture Of George
Washington, which Mrs.. Madison saved
when the White House was burned.
The broad stairway. lighted by
svvcral windows, leads TO anoth-
er circular hall on the third floor.
lu which were located the sIeepiug-
rooms OF the family. The southeast room.
with the circular window WAS sacred 10
Airs. Madison. and in this lovely Douioir
aIA
hours looking over the Virginia thar she
loved 50 well. Adjoining this was her
bedroom. The southwest front room was
e-signated the guests chambr- and il
Mas In This room that AuG.ey jackson
:.# hl- wife occupied during their visit
30 President and Mrs. Madison As IN aII
old houses, the garret is even vet an in
j'resung spot. Although the stairway Is
broad and easy Of ascent. the ceiling is
l.H ana the rooms are dmlv Hah.rd.
Many pieces Of old broken furniture and
N9n-oHt carpeJing are now stored away
!n This receptacle Of trash
\ unique feature Of the building s. the
'.I We'll that supplied water 10 the Presi-
cents family. ~ is still in existence anI
-- located Immediately under the draw
!ag-room.
Dolly hadison's Regn.
Although Che memory OF the poIirfcal
events which occurred in the Old house
are gf lasting interest they are NOT more
ra.srtaiulug nO- half eo rudc4rIrr IN the
American people as the social reg.ma OF
.s 'Err-chLrmlUg hostess The world
tanned Dolly Madison Her career ,s rge
.Fe' LADY of the land marked as decided a
change iu the world of society as IlJ maj
o.. her husband iu the world of politics
Reared according TO the strict rules az
't- glakors. the br.Iuaucy of her lie
during her stay In this house Was .u re-
Harkable contrast 60 her Eirhood
The brightness Of her disposition MS
r.r..ted lu The gJyeJv OF her toilets
'.d B, wa4 she who iuauglgatpd III. bril-
l.Ht fashions OF her day. A dc-cr.gr..r
q. ..e OF her dresses OF that tila. .ipa..~s
1. a periodical The Ladies Weekly Mu-
E, m which says,
a round dress Of finest cambr.c under
s...s.- .f emo TllG-grseu. orla.u.rrlF