Gyde
Open prototypeProto
Back to all Washington, D.C. places

Washington, D.C., District of Columbia / Museums

Old Korean Legation Museum

A historic Victorian house museum in Logan Circle, detailing the early diplomatic relations between the Joseon kingdom and the United States.

Open prototype Official site Get directions
Old Korean Legation Museum
APK, CC BY-SA 4.0

What is the Old Korean Legation Museum known for?

The museum is a historic house museum in Logan Circle, Washington, D.C., that interprets Korea-U.S. relations, Korean heritage, and the history of the Korean Legation in Washington, D.C.

What are the hours and admission cost for the Old Korean Legation Museum?

Admission is free, and the museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.

Is it free to visit?

Yes, admission to the Old Korean Legation Museum is free.

What is the history of the building?

Built in 1877 as a residence for Seth Ledyard Phelps, the house served as Korea's legation from 1889 to 1905. It opened as a museum in 2018 after a major renovation.

What does the museum look like?

The museum is a Victorian-style building that retains a high degree of historic integrity, featuring a library, banquet hall, and small garden.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

The Old Korean Legation Museum is a historic house museum located at 15 Logan Circle NW in the Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The building was originally constructed in 1877 as a residence for Seth Ledyard Phelps, a military officer and politician. It later served as the official legation for the Joseon kingdom and the subsequent Korean Empire from 1889 to 1905, during which time it was a center for early Korea-U.S. diplomatic relations. Following a period of transition, the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation began a major renovation of the building in December 2015. This effort restored the site to its former glory, and the building officially opened as the Old Korean Legation Museum in 2018. The museum now interprets the heritage of Korea and the history of the Korean Legation in Washington, D.C., offering visitors a glimpse into the early diplomatic ties between the two nations. Architecturally, the building is a Victorian-style house that retains a high degree of historic integrity. The exterior is highly intact to its historic appearance, and the interior retains its historic floor plan, including a library, banquet hall, and a small garden. In 2024, the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places and the District of Columbia Inventory of Historic Sites, recognizing its significance to Korean-American relations.

Visitor tips

  • Admission is free, making it a great budget-friendly stop on a walking tour.
  • The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.
  • Check the official website, oldkoreanlegation.org, for any updated hours or special events.
  • Allow at least an hour to explore the library and banquet hall.

Nearby context

Located in the heart of the Logan Circle neighborhood, the museum is surrounded by Victorian-era architecture and the lapping same streetscape of the Logan Circle park itself.

Sources

Evidence and links