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Home of the Commandants

[image: photo of the exterior of the house]

A Brief History

President Thomas Jefferson and Lieutenant Colonel Commandant William Ward Burrows made a horseback tour through Washington, DC, looking for a proper site for the Marine Barracks. Square 927, a short walk from the Washington Navy Yard and within easy marching distance of the Capitol, was their choice. Construction began later that year and Burrows' successor Lieutenant Colonel Commandant Franklin Wharton, completed the house and the Barracks in 1806. Still used for its original purpose, the building has been home to all but the first two Commandants and is said to be the oldest continuously occupied building in Washington.

When first built, the Georgian Federal-style house measured 25 by 32 feet and contained four large rooms and a central hallway on each floor, a kitchen in the basement and servants' quarters in the attic. Renovations and additions, which began in 1836, have expanded the house to 15,000 square feet, including 24 rooms not counting hallways, closets or baths. The decor has always been dictated by the personal tastes of each Commandant and his family.

In 1916, Major General George Bennett the 12th Commandant, approached then acting Secretary of the Navy, Franklin D. Roosevelt, with the idea of having portraits painted of all former Marine Corps Commandants to document the successive changes in uniforms. Roosevelt agreed and persuaded the Comptroller of the Treasury to fund the project "as the duty of the government to encourage in every way possible the collection and preservation of every kind of historical material." Square 927, including the house and the Barracks, was entered in the National Register of Historic Places in December 1972, and in 1976 they were designated a National historic Landmark by the Department of the Interior.

[image: photo of the entrance hall]

Entrance Hallway
The pier mirror and table at one time graced the Lee Mansion in Arlington. They were donated to the Commandant's House in 1978.

[image: photo of the entrance stairway]

Entrance Stairway
The chandelier was donated by General and Mrs. Jones. Displayed in the hallway is a book of benefactors to the Commandant's House since 1974.

[image: photo of the music room]

Music Room
The baby grand piano was a gift from General Cates (the 19th Commandant from 1948-1951). The room also contains a music box, restored by Mrs. Mundy in 1992 to its original 1920's condition.

[image: photo of the reception room]

Reception Room
A small room off the foyer which provides comfortable surround- ings for meeting guests and contains many items of the Erskine estate.

[image: photo of the private sitting room]

Private Sitting Room
Located next to the Master Bedroom, it contains the personal furniture of the Commandant of the Marine Corps and his lady.

[image: photo of the formal living room]

Formal Living Room
One of the original rooms in the house. Official portraits of past Commandants hang here as throughout the house.

[image: photo of the solarium]

Solarium
Looks out over the Barracks parade ground on the south side of the house.

[image: photo of the dining room]

Dining Room
Has been the backdrop for many formnal dinner parties and receptions. A painting of Brigadier General Archibald Henderson is displayed in this room.

[image: photo of the kitchen]

Kitchen
Meals are prepared by the staff for the Commandant and visiting guests.

[image: photo of the landing]

Second Floor Landing
The main living area for the Commandant and his family.

The sofa belonged to Mrs. Mundy's grandmother and was donated by General and Mrs. Mundy.

Commandant's Study
Made by the Barracks cabinet makers in the early 1970s, the walls are covered in mahogany paneling. The mahogany desk is an exact replica of the one used by George Washington for a year following his inauguration as President.

[image: photo of the Rose Room]

Rose Room
One of four guest rooms in the main house. Another guest suite is in the west wing "cottage."

[image: photo of the landing on the third floor]

Third Floor Landing
This floor has three guest bedrooms and was converted into useable living space in the early 1900s. The chandelier was purchased by Major General Russell's wife and is one of four.

[image: photo of the Green Room]

Green Room
This guest bedroom was formerly known as the Gold Room.

*Several pieces of furniture throughout the house are gifts of former Commandants or their descendants.

[image: photo of the Prince Phillip Suite]

Prince Phillip Suite
The bedroom and sitting room are located on the third floor.

Named because the husband of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain stayed there during time U.S. Bicentennial.

[image: photo of the Trellis room]

Trellis Room
A third-floor guest bedroom brightly decorated in green cross-pattern wallpaper with matching bedspreads, curtains and upholstery.

[image: photo of the Children's room]

Children's Room
This room contains family mementos from General Zeilen, a high chair made by John Philip Sousa's father and a rocking chair that belonged to Mrs. Jones grandmother.

Commandants of the Marine Corps

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