The Octagon House, also known as the Colonel John Tayloe III House, is located at 1799 New York Avenue, Northwest in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Colonel John Tayloe III, for whom the house was built, was born at Mount Airy – which he later inherited – the colonial estate built by his father, John Tayloe II on the north bank of the Rappahannock River across from Tappahannock, Virginia. By this time it was the centerpiece of a roughly 60,000 acre department of interdependent plantation farms-known as the Mount Airy department, located approximately one hundred miles south of Washington, D.C., in Richmond County, Virginia. He was educated in at Eton College and Cambridge University in England, served in the Virginia state legislature, and ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1800. John Tayloe III married Ann Ogle, daughter of Benjamin Ogle and granddaughter to Samuel Ogle of Ogle Hall Annapolis, Maryland, in 1792 at her family's country home Belair Mansion. Ann was only a year younger than her husband. Tayloe was reputed to be the richest Virginian planter of his time, and built the house in Washington at the suggestion of George Washington on land purchased from Gustavus W. Scott or Benjamin Stoddert, first Secretary of the Navy.[3] The Octagon was originally constructed to be a winter residence for the Tayloe family, but they lived in the house year-round from 1818–1855. The Octagon property originally included a number of outbuildings, including a smokehouse, laundry, stables, carriage house, slave quarters, and an ice house (the only surviving outbuilding). The Tayloes were involved in shipbuilding, horse breeding and racing, and owned several iron foundries—they were fairly diversified for a plantation family. The Tayloes owned hundreds of slaves, and had between 12 and 18 who worked at the Octagon.

This museum allows a self-guided tour with very detailed, laminated information sheets available to guests in each room. I particularly liked how much design information was explained that highlights the architectural features and finishes information on the home. Fascinating how the architect designed the home to allow for airflow, service stairway to allow the house functions to happen out-of-sight from guests, the best position on the lot to allow natural light to enter important rooms . The museum also highlights the significance of the home, its owners and its guests over the years. Highly recommend stopping in for a step back in time.

Well, I would love to give this place a proper review as we took a group of students to view and tour the museum but unfortunately when we arrived, there was a handwritten note saying the museum was not open as there was a board meeting. We had called ahead if time to confirm hours and had even checked the website the night before just to confirm it was open and operating. There were about 30 of us, including a few other groups who had come and everyone was very upset and disappointed. Be careful and call the day before to confirm they will be open.

This museum was one of the favorites for the kids. Interactive experience with a scavenger hunt for them. Staff was friendly and helpful. If you're looking for an obscure museum with a rich history that was very important to the history of the United States, this is the place for you. The Treaty of Ghent that ended the war of 1812 was signed in this house. The 5th President of the United States James Madison lived there after the British burned the white house.

Took my kids here when they attended a summer class at the Corcoran. I asked a lot of questions and for some reason they asked if I wanted to be a docent. I was flattered! Then I learned the ghost stories. Wow. They had a hard time keeping docents because they had to lock up at night by themselves. Not something many were willing to do. Wonderful house and great history!!

I'm giving this a 4-star rating only for history buffs. It's a free museum and if you like history, it's worth the visit. It's one of the oldest homes in DC and this is where the White House was set up after the White House burned down in the War of 1812. It's a self-guided tour through three of the four floors and will take you only 20 minutes to see it all.

Grew up in DC but never knew about this gem. I knew the white house burned down but had no idea this was where the President lived till the new house was up and running. This museum is very interactive and gives a great representation of what it would be like to live there back in the day. It is filled with neat replicas and very cool architecture!

Fantastic historical place to visit in DC! Our docent was fabulous. Despite living in the area and taking tours for years, I picked up even more insight, knowledge, and awareness today. — Tips: 1. Purchase your ticket online before you arrive. 2. Plan for an hour visit. 3. Take advantage of having a docent share insight about each room.

Для тех, кто интересуется историей посещение доставит несколько удивительных минут. Осмотр здания самостоятельно, без гида. Есть информационные таблички. Музей работает с четверга по субботу. Мы выкроили время специально для осмотра здания. Несмотря на то, что экспозия более чем невелика этот музей стоит посетить.

This out-of-the-way gem is worth hunting down! I won’t ruin the interesting history of the place; you should go find out for yourself. It is FREE and very kid friendly - not one of those historical homes where every room is roped off. You can touch, sit on, open, and explore pretty much everything. Don’t miss it!

Neat, off-the-beaten path place to visit. Highly recommend this museum. Features a self-guided tour with a hands-on approach. You can lay on the beds, try on a dress or try carrying buckets up the stairs to get a feel for what life was like

Remarkable space and very old and historic. Don't miss the basement kitchen, very progressive for its time. Also, the brick circle in the basement used to be an indoor well, also innovative for the times.

A little known historic building. Sorry I couldn't get in to look at the interior (Sunday). Just glad to get some nice photos and to be able to tell others about the part it played in American history.

This museum provides a wonderful and unique perspective on the history of DC. It's definitely worth checking out if you're a local or if you're a visiting post-revolutionary war enthusiast!

A small but cool museum. You can finish browsing through the whole thing in 30 minutes. If you are too tired walking outside with the heat waves, visit this place as a cool break.

Love the architecture and the history but wish the politically correct tone was shifted to include ALL the history. I never did learn much about the actual family that built it.

Great for a quick and free visit. Very hands on, you can sit and touch the furniture. Each room has an information sheet hanging on the door to help with your self guided tour.

The scavenger hunt was a huge hit with my elementary school aged kids. The exhibits helped to facilitate good discussions about slavery with my little kids and teens alike.

Make sure to check out the basement with its slave quarters. It's a fascinating look back at how these men and women lived and worked in this environment and situation.

Staff is super awesome. Make sure you ring the bell in the front door to get in. This place has an interesting story, and if you really want to appreciate it, I

We stopped here for our ghost tour. Took lots of pictures to see if we could see any. Lots of death in this home. Highly recommend in you are in the area. More

Historical of course, but did you know. . . . Well I'll just let the Oncall Tour Guide tell you. He was a gentleman and fresh faced with the right information.

Octagon maintained by AIA and others is a glimpse of early Washington and had minimal renovation in the last 100+ years but it was painted nice colors in 2017.

The house served as the temporary White House after the British attack on September 24th 1814 when the White House and US Capitol where burned.

This house has a ton of history. Tours are self guided. Very worth the visit although not ADA friendly. Just a few blocks from the metro.

I would not call the house a museum. It was historic and very small. It's worth seeing but would be low on the list in DC

Super interesting and a very quick visit is all that is needed... This was once the White House so that's real history.

A hidden treasure, especially if you like presidential trivia and seeing behind the walls of old buildings.

Went to my second event here. Found out the cool exhibits and events support diversity scholarships too!!

An interesting landmark. Great to see the many phases of construction styles too. Historical indeed.

Loved this little museum. So much history wrapped up in a little house. Was worth the walk.

Free admission and fabulous architecture! A must-see, and right near the White House.

Amazing Small hidden treasure of architectural history in America and Washington DC

Excellent 45 minute tour. Tons of great facts about DC. I’d definitely revisit.

Didn't go inside unfortunately so can't comment, but can share a picture.

Beautiful architectural exhibit behind a refeshingly peaceful garden.

I had really hoped to learn more about octagons.

Cool place to check out after the major museums

Very nice piece of history. Off the beaten path

Nothing fancy but still a nice little museum.

Repairing the steam line to the museum

Cute little spot with great history!

One of the oldest houses in DC.

Yeah... for preserving history

The staircase are amazing

Such history and beauty!

A delight. Quick tour.

Very cool tour.

Great history

Interesant .

Nice place!

مكان مزدحم

Excellent

Kg ah

کیری