The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-29
PASSING OF 4 LANDMARK
Maple Square to Be Merged Into a
New Path of Existence.
ord Mansion Filled With Suggestions
of Social GIorics Long in the Bur
led Past-Its East Room Adorn-
mepts and OId-Fashioped Wine
CeIlar-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 well
fare of the industrial classes
Mrs. Briggs has not yet decided upon
the details of her institution but it Will
probably be 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 earlv
Washington. The house was built over $50
years ago. The architecture of the ediiice
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 eth
er side having been added at subsequent
periods.
As it originally stood the house was the
abode of a wealthy tobacco planter whose
demesne extended considerably beyond the
three and one-half acres now
comnrisiug Mamie 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
10 be in time to come, part of Washing
ION city, proper
The beauty, fashion. and wit of another
generation have hourished within its pre-
cincts Washington himself has doubtless
been a guest, and Lafayette during his
visit to the country has stopped to par
take of hospitality rendered in this old
mansion.
AT later date. Webster. Clay, and Cal
houn have met in social intercourse in
Maple Square and Abraham Lincoln and
Stephen A. Douglas have merged political
animosities for a time in the pleasure OF
a convivial hour within its acres. They
have all passed away, the famous men and
lovely women of the long ago, but the old
house still retains its suggestion OF a Tast
age. and seems, while removed from the
present. TO be quietly rejecting upon Its
ancient glory.
Back of the main building is structure
formerly devoted to the slave quarters:
Charles Sumner, a constant visitor, sald:
Let the slave quarters remain: theyFNNill
be an object lesson when we are gone.
This remark was made to John NJ. Clayton,
United States Senator from Delaware, then
the owner of the mansion, who thoroughly
repaired it and added the east wing as
ballroom for his daughters. Senator Clay
ton was the first citizen of Washington to
use gas in his house and this luxury he
had brought at his own expense from the
Capitol at a cost of 81 500. He did not
live TO 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
handsomest in the house, and Is IN con
trast to the plain hallway and intermedl-
ate apartment which. while elegant in
tone, are furnished in the simple Dutch
colonial style of the seventeenth century.
In this apartment one notices hand
some rose colored Turkish diyan, OF me
style now familiar in every drawing room.
This is said 10 be the first Turkish dlYan
that was ever brought TO this country, and
furnished the model for all that have sub
sequently been constructed here. 1t was
originally in the possession OF the Gurhisa
Minister, and upon his leaving the coun-
try was sold. a furniture maker previously,
however obtaining the privilege OF copy
ing il. Mrs. Briggs was the purchaser
and she includes it amCng the choice dec
craticns- OF her house. Among these. and
handsome laquered cabinet. maid with