Evening star., 1940-01-14
18th Century
Air Sought in
Georgetown
Citizens to Seek
Conformity in >
Architecture


Architecture
Perpetuation of the 18th century
charm of genial old Georgetown
holds the interests of its citizens
today.
Continued efforts move toward
restoration of the early English
type of architecture characteristic
in the old homes, and conformity to
this style in new constructions.
The Georgetown Progressive
Citizens Association lists as one of
the leading projects on its calendar
a drive to return Georgetown to
its two-century-old setting, so that
if Thomas Jefferson, Robert Peter,
first Mayor of Georgetown, or
Ninian Beall, early grant-owner,
should tour the dignified old COM
munity today they could scarcely
note any changes in the well pre-
served residences.
Members Homes Cited.
The citizens group alone boasts
of many owners Of 18th century
type homes. Among these are
Miss Rose Greely, daughter of the
late Admiral Adolphus Washington
Greely, herself an interior decora-
tor; Mrs. Jouett Shouse, wife of
the former Democratic national
chairman; Mr.. and Mrs. Robert
Woods Bliss, Mrs. Drew Pearson,
John 1hlder, executive officer of
the Alley Dwelling Authority; Mrs.
Dean Acheson, Comdr. w. G. Tom
linson and Mrs. Mead Fletcher.
The services of all of these have
been enlisted in the move to give
Georgetown its old-time air.
Mrs. Henry w. Draper, secretary
of the association and chairman of
| the Committee on Restoration,
advanced the belief that after COM
pletion of the K street overpass
and improving of the drive, up to
Key Bridge, a definite link could
be made between the two projects
with a move to preserve the archi-
lecture along K street by persuad.
ing future builders to conform with
the prevailing architecture Of
Georgetown.
The historic Tudor Place" home
of the Peter family since Revolu-
tionary War days, is an example
of the type of early American archi-
lecture which the Georgetonians Of
today want preserved. The old CO.
lonial mansion, situated on the
heights of Georgetown between
Thirty-first and Thirty-second
streets on @ street, was designed by
DR.. William Thornton, architect Of
the Capitol, who was one of the out
standing leaders in the arts of the
early days of the American Repub-
lie. The house has some elliptical
rooms similar to those first used
in the Capitol. Conservatory gall
leries in the central structure cam
meet adjoining wings on each side,
similar in appearance to the Execu-
tive Mansion.
Interest of the association in this
drive mounted during Mrs. Diapers
service as president two years ago,
with the enlistment of the many in. '
terested residents who had exc
pressed the desire to unite as body
in the effort to call to the attention
OF city planners and architects their
desires to continue restoration in
the community.
Resolution Is Adopted.
A resolution adopted by the 5ody
which was sent to the National
Capital Park and Planning Com
mission, the District Commissioners
and prominent architects in the
city, called for maintaining the
later Colonial or early Federal style
of architecture whenever new con-
struction was planned in the COM
munity. and for definite efforts to
be made for preserving the usable
18th century architecture already
standing
Oihpiioolo ID ldlu
maintenance of harmony with the
rest of the community by the busi-'
ness houses, according to Mrs.
Draper, pointing out. that they are
characteristic of the old town which
originally extended only from K to
M streets.
I'VE are not adverse to modern
conveniences," she said, provided
they have old form, but seek a re-
turn to the simple and classical
mode of living that people of con-
servative and cultivated taste en-
joy"
A visit to the residence of Mrs.
Joseph l.. Goodman, first vice presi-
dent Of the association, gives an ex-
cellent Illustration of Mrs. Draper's
remarks. Situated on the east side
OF the once fashionable Jefferson
street, just below M. it is a modest
two-story brick with Jeffersonian
arches over the doorway and ad-
jacent areaway. Other archways on
the interior, according to legend,
were designed by Thomas Jefferson,
who once lived on the nearly for.
gotten street which bears his name.
The wide pine board flooring and
high ceiling, Mrs. Goodman said,
are characteristic of the Jeffer-
sonian influence on architecture.
Survey by Architects.
Horace Peaslee. Washington archi-
tect who supervised the restoration
of Dumbarton House in Georgetown,
expressed the belief that the rehabil-
itation of old dwellings has advanced
and although there are a number
of new homes being built the infiu-
ence of the community is moving in
the same general direction.
Mr.. Peaslee, member of the Al
lied Architects, Inc, conducted q
COMMUNICATIVE survey of George
town in 1888, with several other
architects, in an effort to begin q
restoration program that would en-