Evening star., 1952-08-24
Damage
ToWood|ey|s
Set al 100000
Historic Mansion,
Now School Property,
Used by a Presidents

origin yesterday caused more than
100000 damage to the historic
Woodley mansion at 5000 Cathed-
raj avenue NV. used as a sum-
mer home by four Presidents and
now the property Of the Maret
School.
As hundreds of spectators
watched, nearly 80 pieces of fire
apparatus roared to the historic
estate. The first alarm went in
at n:10 am. and the fire was
under control about an hour later
The interior of the west wing OF
the 160-year-old mansion was
burned out completely. Severe
damage also was done to the in
terror of the porticoed mair
structure.
John L. Laskey, chairman OF
the Board of Trustees of the
Maret School, made the damage
estimate.
Being Remodeled for Glasses.
He said the building was under
going extensive remodeling so that
it could be used for classes when
the school opened there Septem-
ber II. The school has been 10
Gated at 2118 Kalorama road NV.
The mansion and eight acres of
the Woodley Estate were pur-
chased by the school several years
ago. The main section is three
stories high. the wings only two.
Mr.. Laskey said the school
would open as scheduled although
some temporary arrangements
would have to be made. The east
wing Of the mansion, with seven
or eight classrooms almost ready
for occupancy. suffered little dam
age.
He said the school probably
would seek authority to use two
story. fireproof garage building on
the property as temporary class
rooms. The school also has just
finished constructing a new 10
classroom building. This two-story
structure was not touched by the
fire.
Flames Lick at woodwork.
AS far as could be learned, no
one was at the mansion when the
fire started licking at its wood
work. Firemen said it apparently
began in the first floor of the west
wing and spread rapidly through
the rest Of the building.
Flames leaping Is feet high from
all windows Of the west side of
the building greeted the first fire.
men on the scene. Heavy smoke
covered the neighborhood.
The old mansion, once the home
of the late Secretary of State
Stimson, adjoins the Swiss Lega-
ton.
Quantities of school equipment
such as books, desks and chairs
were ruined by the flames and
water.
Was Center of Society.
The mansion is rich in history
It was built by Philip Barton Key
uncle Of the composer of 1.-THE
Star -Spangled Banner" It was
used as a summer home by Presi-
dents Buchanan, Tyler, Van Bu-
rem and Cleveland.
The house became the center OF
Washington's fashionable society
during the time Mr.. Stimson owned
it, continuing the role it had played
in Washington life many years be-
fore.
Situated on one Of the highest
points in Washington, WoodleJ
has a commanding view of the
city and the Potomac River al
the way to Alexandria. George
Washington is supposed to have
admired the view from Woodley
After Mr.. Stimson died, the
mansion became the property OF
Phillips Academy. Andover, Mass
For years the problem of its future
was in the news as attempts were
made to sell it successfully to q
foreign country for an embassy
to the Veterans Administration, tc
the Catholic Church as site fol
q cathedral and to the Mellon in
tereSts as an art gallery.
Several years ago, the Maret
School bought the manor house
and eight acres of the property
But, residents of the neighborhood
objected to that use of the estate
Only a year ago, the Maret
School won its fight to rezone
the land so it could be used for
school purposes. City officials
stipulated that the facade of the
dignif1ed structure as well as the
tree-studded front grounds be
preserved as they were.
Homes Built on Land.
Later, real estate interests
ton of the Norwegian Embassy
sought to build apartments or
another section Of the old eS-
tate. This effort was defeated
by residents of the area and tht
real estate people finally agreed
to build only expensive single.
family homes.
At one time during the con
troversies, historical groups want
ed to make it a shrine and opel
the historic building and ground
to the public as park.
The Maret School was foundet
in 1911 by three sisters, Marthe
Louise and Jeanne Maret. The,
were born in Switzerland o
French parentage, coming to tn
United States when adults.
The last of the sisters died il
1945. The Maret School now j
a non-profit institution unde
control of a board Of trustee:
The school had been at the Kalo
rama road address since 1928.
Free Fire Inspection