The Washington times., 1901-12-29
THE LOUISE HOME
AND IT'S OCCUPANTS.
Institution Where GentlewOmen
Find Quiet and Comfort.
FOUNDED BY W. W. C0RCORAN
Intended to Honor the Memory OF
His Wife and DnuEhter-Onc of Its
Guests Descendant of President
Tyier-Richncss of Furnishings.

Among the occupants OF the Louise Home
on Massachusetts, Avenue near Sixteenth
Street is former mistress Of the White
House. This is Mrs. Letitia Tyler SempIe,
second daughter of President John Tyler
and his wife. Letit'l Christian Tyler
After the death Of t.o hrst wife of Presl-
dent Tyler. Mrs. SeI1p.c came to the Cap
ital and presided over tie social functions
of the Executiya V14- IN.
The institute. a yhich Mrs. semple
is spending h .Iining years was
founded by the late W. W. Corcoran, who
bestowed on it the name Louise" in mem
ory Of his wife and daughter. The build
ing is quite an imposing one. and stands
back from Massachusetts Avenue upon a
high terrace. sur -ounded by extensive
grounds, filled with flowers and ornamen-
tai shrubbery. 1t has been in operation
since 1871, and was designed especially
for ladies' over fifty years of age who
had never lahOred for their own support
and were without money and friends.
Everything is provided for the guests
with the exception OF clothing. in the
matter of which some Of the old ladies eX-
hibit very eccentric notions. Board,
washing. medical attendance. medicines,
and a comfortable room are furnished
each lady, and she is not restricted in any
way.
Admission mt n Premium.
OF course, admission is eagerly sought
for, and there are applications by the
dozens, but. as only forty-ive eun be ac-
commodated at one time, this is very diff
hcult to secure.
The building is Of brick, with brown
stone trimmings. The exterior is made
very attractive in the suIlmer season by
beautiful vine growing luxuriantly over
the wall, IN which hundreds OF sparrows
have built their nests. At sunset, when
the western wall Is all aglow and the
windows CLEAN like molten gold, the most
extraordinary anthem bursts forth in the
multitudinous twittering Of the tiny birds,
and continues until the last beam fades
gradually away.
AS the light grows less. so in the sane
proportion does the song Of the birds de-
crease in volume, till only faint twit-
-ering is heard, and evening falls upon
he scene. But so strong is the song OF
the birds in all its fullness that it may
be heard for quite a distance
The interior OF the building IS very
bright and pleasant, and has been planned
win view to light and ventilation There
is central rotunda of oval form open to
the roof. with a glass canopy The rooms
are arrayed upon three galleries. SO that
one is quite as desirable as another, as
far as light and ventilation are concerned
They are handsomely furnished with
Brussels carpets and walnut furniture,
and the ladies add their own little orna-
ments and pictures.
A Pleasing Interior
The floors OF the rotunda, galleries.
hall. and stairs are heavily Oiled and the
whole building is heated by steam. The
dining room is spacious and well fur
nished; the glass, china. silver, and table
linen are Of the best quality and style.
4 suite of handsomely furnished par
lors affords room for recreation. where
the ladies can enjoy music, reading, and
conversation. There > a library with
well-flled bookcases. and the daily pa
pers are laid upon the table every morn
ing. Beautiful portraits Of Mrs. Corcoran
and her daughter adorn the walls; there
is also a very fine portrait Of Mr.. Cor
coran. and various other works of art
are scattered through the rooms
During his lifetime Mr. Corcoran was
wont TO call the occupants OF tue Louise
Home his guests Among them have been
women who bore names well known in
the annals of American history. daugh-
ters of statesmen and men eminent in
the public service.
The home is. indeed, a community OF
gentlewomen. who find here, in congenial
intercourse. a solace for their misfOr-
tunes, as well as a haven in their declin-
ing years