The Washington times., 1913-10-18
OLD BLAIR HOUSE
WILL Be IMPROVED
Four-Story addition in Rear of
Historic Mansion Will Soon
Be Built.

A contract has been awarded to James
l. Parsons TO make extensive repairs
and build an addition to the historic
Blair residence. at 1851 Pennsylvania
avenue northwest now the home of Gist
Blair. Building construction on a new
addition to the home, the erection of
a garage on a rear lot. and many in
terror repairs and redecorations will
constitute most of the work designed
for the immediate future, further opera
tions being postponed until next spring.
A four-story addition to the rear of
the mansion will measure thirty-one by
twenty-three feet. A harmony to blend
in with the style and general colonial
detail of the main residence will be
held to.
A palatial dining roam has been de-
signed for the first floor of the addi
ton, with a service hall adjoining. Or
namentai trimmings In tapestry and
massive old colonial doors admitting to
the new roof. The dining room, part
of which will be reconstructed from the
main building, will measure nineteen by
thirty five feet.
floor. and one bedroom finished in old
colonial and another in Louis XVI are
intended for the third floor. Generous
distribution of mirrors for these rooms
are to be a novel feature, coupled with
ornamental trimmings on the walls and
ceiling.
In Fourth Story.
Servants quarters will be contained
in the fourth story of the residence. The
garage to the rear of the residence will
be done in brick for two stories. A laun-
dry will be installed in excess space in
the structure.
Between the garage and the dwelling
a sunken garden will be laid out, to be
later planted in flowers, with foun-
tain to play in its center.
The century old Blair mansion is
pointed out to beth visitor and Wash
ingtonians as being one of the most
famous of historic mansions in the city.
1t was built in lSlc-1s for Francis
Preston Blair, remembered as one-time
editor of the Globe and as one of the
most beloved local spirited citizens
known in the history of Washington.
II has remained with estate entire in
the family of the Blairs until the pres
ent day, occupied at present by Gist
Blair, grandson OF the first occupant
At the time of it's erection II was the
only residence IN what is now one Of
the most fiourishing sections of the
capital. Along it's front ran Executive
way, described as being quaint old
English. name for what later became
PENNSYLVANIA avenue.
Montgomery Blair, neir Of the second
generation who lived there with his
family during his entire life, was a
member of Lincolns Cabinet.
During his residence in the historic
mansion, the walls OF the Blair home
reverberated with the merriment of the
wedding festivities of General Sherman
and Miss Ewing, daughter of the then
Secretary of the Interior.
Lee Offered Command.
In this home Gen. Robert Z. Lee was
offered the command of the Union
forces before he went South.
Bancroft. the historian leased the
home from its owners for two years and
lived there while he composed some OF
his most famous pages of history.
In the drawing room of the present
home hangs at present the priced heir
loom of the Blair family which has been
in the family during three generations.
1t is one of the J. S. Copley paintings.
a portrait of J Judith Carey. great grand
mother OF the present owner. The pic
ture was painted before the revolution
and is ranked with other Copley por-
traits a 5 being among the rarest of art
treasure in America.
Plans for the changes of the blair
home were prepared by Milburn, Heis-
ter & Co, architects.