Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-04-16
MEDIEVAL CASTLE
ASCALHOUN HOME
.PaIatiaI Tudor Residence Is
Nearing Completion at
Braemar Forest.

Washington soon will boast another
private palatial home designed after
the style of medieval castle which,
while equipped with every modern
convenience and furnished with rich
decoration, will be carried out in au-
thentic Tudor architectural lines.
This baronial residence, in some
ways a suburban likeness Of the ia
nous Henderson Castle" on SIX
teenth street, is being built by Capt.
and Mrs. c. c. Calhoun at Braemar
Forest, Nd
There, overlooking the forested
beauty OF Rock Creek Park and with
the skyline Of the city of Washington
as a background, the new Calhouh
home is situated i'm the midst OF the
far reaches of a 90-acre tract OF iaha-
Construction of this imposing resi-
dence has been going forward rapldly
and is scheduled to be completes oy
June /. It is TO be called "Rossdhu'
TO Make Home Here.
PeeentIv disposing of their large
estates at Princeton, \. j., and at
che rIeston. s. c., as we'll as of their
washington house at 1919 New HamI'
shire avenue, Capt and Mrs. Calhoun
decided to erect Rossdhu ana
chose the Washington SUBURBAN sec
ton for their permanent residence.
Adding TO the historic interest In
the new castle-like residence Will ne
ancient stones which have oeen
brought from Scotland for placement
in the home here.
Sir Ian Coiquhoun. Laird OF Luss,
has sent To Cant. Calhoun a stone
taken from the old tower of the orlgl-
mai 'Rossdhu' in Scotland, which is
said 10 have been built prior to the
wear 1900. A second stone, when
will be used as the corner stone OF the
catewav of the Washington "Rossdhu,
has been sent to Mrs. Calhoun by her
l,insnan. Lord Garioch, only son OF
the Earl of Mar. This stone, Mrs
Calhoun reports, was taken from the
castle Of Bruce.
The plans for "Rossdhu" and the
surrounding estate were made by Mrs.
Calhoun, who also drafted the design
Of other of her residences, and the
architectural and landscape drawings
were developed by Joseph W. Geddes
with the joint supervision of Capt.
and Mrs. Calhoun. Philip Gormley
and his son, George Gormley, are
building the mansion.
Structure Is Fireproof.
The whole structure of "Rossdhu"
is fireproof with thick floors of cement
under tiles. and walls of hollow tile,
stone and stucco. The exterior is of
granite and the architectural style is
that of the Tudor period.
A unique treatment has been given
TO the Interior A vestibule opens
from the porte cochere. on either side
Of which are cloak rooms. Four steps
lead UP to the gerat hall running the
24,a l1I
BY gallery from which the bed
rooms are reached. The broad stone
staircase rises to the mezzanine curry
ing out opposite the bay window
which opens on the terrace over the
porte cochere. This curved gallery is
70 serve as the stage Of little thea
ter.
Opposite the entrance the great hall
opens into a conservatory giving
sweep Of 60 feet in length by 40 feet
in width. A fireplace panneled in
stone faces the stairs.
A long dining room TO be paneled
fa brown mahogany opens from the
right Of the hall with a small break
fast room adjoining it. In panel
of the fireplace OF the dining room is
10 be placed Ludwig Mackartts THE
Judgment Of Paris" measuring SX6
feet and giving color to the room.
Living Room Plan.
The living room on the opposite
side Of the hall runs the tull depth
OF the house with recessed panels for
books and alternate ones for paintings
The living room opens on stone
terrace whose arches overlook a flag
ged open terrace below where steps
lead to the bowling green, the turf
for which is coming from ScotlaEd
From the bowling green stone steps
lead down the hill to a small lake.
A square tower, to be known as
''The Chapel" opens out from the
covered terrace Here radio service
viii be received and the roof of the
large hall may be utilized as an open
air ballroom. From the roof and
tower lovely vistas Of Rock Creek
Park and of Washington may be seen.
There will be extra rooms on the roof
and a covered arcade, while in the
round tower. opposite the square
chapel will be a complete dining and
pantry arrangement
A billiard room with beamed ceiling,
tiled floor and stone fireplace will be
located beneath the living room. The
billiard room, because of the slope OF
tbs hill, opens into a grotto fernery
kept moist by a wall fountain. A
garage is being built under the con.
servstory ard main hall.