Washington, D.C., District of Columbia story
A Presidential Refuge
Imagine the chaos of 1814. The White House has been burned, and President James Madison needs a place to stay. He finds refuge here, at the Octagon House. Completed in 1800 for Jo…
Read the story
Imagine the chaos of 1814. The White House has been burned, and President James Madison needs a place to stay. He finds refuge here, at the Octagon House.
Completed in 1800 for John Tayloe III, this was one of the grandest townhouses in the nation at the time. Look closely at the details; it's a stunning example of late Federalist architecture, featuring decorative Coade stone imported all the way from England. While it served as a temporary presidential home during a crisis, it's now a National Historic Landmark and a museum.
It's a quiet piece of history tucked away in Foggy Bottom, reminding us that even the leaders of the free world sometimes need a temporary place to call home.
Updated June 2026