The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-29
PASSING OF A LANDMARK
Maple Square to Be Merged Into a
New Path of Existence.
ord Mansion Filled With Suggestions
of Social GIorics Long i'm the Bur
mentS and oId-Fashioned Wine
CeIIar-Romances of Ancient Days.

Historic Maple Square. comprising the
ground between South Carolina Avenue
and d Street and Sixth and Seventh
| Streets southeast. will shortly be convert
ed into an educational institution founded
| upon the ideas Of Mrs. Emily E. Briggs,
! who has been the owner Of this property
for the past twenty eight years, and has.
| during all that time cherished the idea
OF devoting it to the interests and wei
fare OF the industrial classes.
Mrs. Briggs has not yet decided upon
the details Of her Institution, but it will
probably be a modified form OF one which
she endeavored to originate some two
years ago. which was abandoned owing to
the antagonism at that time OF the Dis
trict Commissioners and Public School
Board.
Maple Square. and its historic mansion.
form one OF the oldest landmarks Of early
Washington. The house was built over $50
years ago. The architecture Of the edilce
is Of the Queen Anne style upon when
model all the colonial homes in America
are built. The oldest part Of the structure
is the central portion, the wings upon eiJr
er side having been added at subsequent
periods.
As il originally stood the house was the
abode of a wealthy tobacco planter whose
demesne extended considerably beyond the
three and one-half acres now
comprising Maple Square. The
bricks used Sin the building of
The mansion were brought from England
and the enterprising planter was probably
the first to locate upon what was destined
TO be in time to come, a part of Washing
Ton city, proper
The beauty fashion, and wit OF another
generation have nourished within its pre-
cincts. Washington himself has doubtless
been a guest and Lafayette during his
visit 10 the country has stopped to par
take OF hospitality rendered in this old
mansion.
At a later date. Webster. Clay, and Cal
noun have met in social intercourse in
Maple Square and Abraham Lincoln and
Stephen A. Douglas have merged political
animcsities for a time in the pleasure Of
conyiyial hour within its acres. They
have all passed away, the famous men and
lovely women of the long ago but he old
house still retains its suggestion OF a asst
age. and seems. while removed from the
present. to be quietly rejecting upon its
ancient EiOIAs
Back of the main building is a structure
formerly devoted to the slave quarters.
Charles Sumner. a constant visitor said
Let the slave quarters remain, they~Fii
be an object lesson when We are gone.
This remark was made to John VI. Clayton,
United States Senator from Delaware then
the owner of the mansion. who thoroughly
repaired il and added the east wing as
ballroom for his daughters. senator Clay
ton was the first citizen of Washington 10
use gas in his house. and this luxury he
had brought at his own expense from the
Capitol at a cost OF Sl,S0O. He did not
live 70 enjoy the results Of his labors. as
upon his return for the purpose OF bring
ing his family here he contracted an Ill
ness and died at his Delaware home.
The east room is today perhaps the
handsomcst in the house and Is in con
trast to the plain hallway and intermedi-
ate apartment which. while elegant in
tone. are furnished in the simple Dutch
colonial style Of the seventeenth century.
In this apartment one notices a hand
some rcse-colorcd Turkish diyan. of he
stvle now familiar in every dray.ng-rJom.
This is said TO be the first Turkish diTan
that was ever brought to this country. and
furnished the model for al that have sub
segueutly been constructed here. II was
originally in the possession OF the Turkish
Minister and upon his leaving the cOun-
Try was sold. a furniture maker previously,
however. obtaining the privilege Of copy
irz H. Mrs. Briggs was the purchaser.
and she includes il among the choice de-
Craficns- OF her house. Among these. and
also in the east room, is a remark bly,
handsome laquered cabinet. maid with