Georgetown's Old Stone House: 3051 M Street NW
There are plenty of wonderful houses for sale in Georgetown, but this is not one of them!
In 1765, Christopher Layman, moved down to Georgetown from Pennsylvania and started construction on this house. But he died a year later with only the first floor complete. The second owner, a stylish widow named Cassandra Chew, added the second and third floors. It's built out of locally quarried granite
Legend has it that George Washington stayed there while laying plans for the new federal city that would bear his name. And that legend probably saved the place from the wrecking ball.
In 1807, Mrs. Chew bequeathed the building to her daughter, and it remained in the family until 1875, with the owners living above the shop. Throughout its history, it served as a tavern, watchmaker's shop, milliner's, and, by the mid 1900's, it was a used car lot!
How unchic!
In the 1950's the National Park Service came to the rescue. They restored the house and transformed the car lot to an English garden.
It's now a museum, open free to the public between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm between Wednesday and Sunday.
While the Old Stone House is not currently on the market, there are 62 other Georgetown homes for sale! They range from a low of $470,000 for a tiny one-bedroom to $19,500,000 for Halcyon House, an amazing historic estate. But there is a whole lot in between. If you'd like to explore the possibility of living in this historic neighborhood, give me a call, email or text. I can help.
I love historical posts, very interesting thanks for sharing with us! Someday I am returning to DC to visit all the great places I have not been since I was 10 years old! Its gotta be the Spring to see those magnificent cherry blossoms!
Pat, what a beautiful house! I want THAT house, LOL. OK, I am so waiting for when I can take a few days off and get to DC. Promise me a tour? And we have to go here....
Hi Patricia. I've been to Georgetown a few times but don't remember that home. It looks well-kept, at least from the outside.
OK, I had to do some research. I saw a few photos of the inside, and I read that it is haunted by at least 4 spirits. Very cool!
Marilyn, when you come up, we have to have lunch or dinner or something. I'll save up my extra Weight Watcher points!
Andrea, same to you, and we can all go look at the Old Stone House together!
Richard, it's in much better shape than when the used car guys had the place. The Park Service is doing a good job.
What a great story, historic houses are amazing. Here in Atlanta we have some history, but as you know they burned the place down after the civil war, so we don't have the blessings you do. Great Post. I am suggesting this!!!
Pat, I love old houses, and I see the history of it right in front of my eyes through your story. You are such a good story teller!
Pat~
Nice history lesson and segue into real estate. =)
Pat - cool house with a neat history. I recall seeing ot once many years ago but had no idea of the histpory behind it.
Jeff
Not "Washington slept her"... but George saved this building". Who says he wasn't superhuman.
Pat, Interesting history, but then that area is just packed with history! Thanks!
Interesting history Patricia. I wonder, if it was up for sale, what the inspection report would look like?
Hey Pat, great photo of capturing GeorgeTown history and thank you for the lesson as well :)
A fairy tale ending! I simply adore old/historic houses. Thank you National Park Services for being the fairy godmother!
What an incredible for the old stone house, Pat! We have a home here that is similar being that it was originally built on a log cabin foundation, second floor added years later, etc. It has been for sale for a VERY long time and I always say it would be a PERFECT museum! It would be difficult to "live" in the home given there isn't one straight wall and you feel like you've had "quite a few" when you walk through it BUT it is smack dab in the residential historic district across the street from the Wake Forest College Birthplace - PERFECT for a museum!
Pat, a very fine looking house of stone, that is probably anything but cold for it's history. Thanks for sharing
Great post. And, the fact that it is haunted also adds to its panache. Now, everyone will want one that "looks" like the stone house.
Hello Pat,
This one is cute but the Halcyon House can leave you speechless! Now that is a house-what a view.
I know that one doesn't need any staging. It really displays what wealth and history is dripping everywhere in this town.
Pat..What a wonderful history lesson..How fortunate that this home has a historic background and how lucky the new owner will be to live in this magnificent home full of charm and grace..Good Luck
HelpfulHannah
Great great great post! I love history. I was in DC last year, and looked at Georgetown across the river...
What a great old house and thanks for the history lesson!
Hard to picture a used car lot there. Looks so much better as an historic sight. It's a very quaint looking home.
It's been ages since I've been to Georgetown. My husband wouldn't worry if I masked a shopping trip as a trip to see a historical site.