Skip to main content

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

GSA Logo U.S. General Services Administration
    • Explore buy through us
    • Category management
    • Government property for sale or lease
      Toggle submenu
      • Personal property (tangible goods)
      • Real property (real estate and buildings) for public use
      • Real property sales
      • Vehicle sales
    • Products and services
      Toggle submenu
      • Human capital
      • Industrial products and services
      • Office management
      • Professional services
      • Security and protection
      • Transportation and logistics services
    • Purchasing programs
      Toggle submenu
      • Assisted acquisition
      • Commercial platforms
      • Federal strategic sourcing initiative
      • Fleet management
      • HCaTS and HCaTS SB
      • OASIS and OASIS SB
      • Requisition programs
      • State and local programs
      • Emergency acquisition basic ordering agreements
    • Shared services
      Toggle submenu
      • Payroll services
      • Support services for CABs

    Featured Topics

    • Multiple Award Schedule Governmentwide contracts for products and services at volume discount pricing.
    • Auctions Federal assets available via auction to the general public.
    • Explore sell to government
    • Step 1: Learn about government contracting
      Toggle submenu
      • Ways you can sell to government
      • How to access contract opportunities
      • Conduct market research
    • Step 2: Compete for a contract
      Toggle submenu
      • Register your business
      • Certify as a small business
      • Become a schedule holder
      • Market your business
      • Research active solicitations
      • Respond to a solicitation
      • What to expect during the award process
    • Step 3: Manage your contract
      Toggle submenu
      • Comply with contractual requirements
      • Handle contract modifications
      • Monitor past performance evaluations

    Featured Topics

    • Contract opportunities on SAM.gov Search current federal contract opportunities and procurement notices.
    • Forecast of contracting opportunities Anticipated contracts offered by GSA.
    • Vendor support center Research the federal market, report sales, and upload contract information.
    • Explore real estate
    • Design and construction
      Toggle submenu
      • 3D-4D building information modeling
      • Computer-aided design standards
      • Engineering
      • Project management information system
      • Prospectus thresholds
    • Facilities management
      Toggle submenu
      • Security
      • Tenant services
      • Water quality management
    • Our properties
      Toggle submenu
      • Owned and leased properties
      • Regional buildings
      • Renting property
    • Real estate services
      Toggle submenu
      • GSA lease inventory
      • Real property disposal
      • Reimbursable services (RWA)
      • For businesses seeking opportunities
      • For workers in federal buildings
      • Voice of the customer
    • Workplace optimization
      Toggle submenu
      • Commercial coworking
      • Federal coworking
      • Space Match
    • Explore historic buildings

    Featured Topics - Real Estate

    • Historic preservation tools and resources Procedures for maintaining and repairing historic buildings.
    • Real property disposal Dispose or acquire excess federal real property including buildings or land.
    • Explore policy and regulations
    • Acquisition management policy
    • Aviation management policy
    • Information technology policy
    • Real property management policy
    • Relocation management policy
    • Travel management policy
    • Vehicle management policy
    • Regulations
      Toggle submenu
      • Federal acquisition regulations
      • Federal management regulations
      • Federal travel regulations

    Featured Topics

    • Forms Search for a government form.
    • Per diem FAQs Frequently asked questions about per diem rates and related topics.
    • Explore small business
    • Small business goals
    • Register your business
      Toggle submenu
      • Explore business models
      • Research the federal market
      • Subcontracting and other partnerships
    • Forecast of contracting opportunities
    • Small business resources
      Toggle submenu
      • Small business contacts
      • Small business events
      • Videos

    Featured Topics

    • Forecast tool Information on planned federal contracting opportunities.
    • Socio economic categories Check your eligibility for small-business set-asides.
    • Training resources Suggested training for doing business with us.
    • Explore travel
    • Plan a trip
      Toggle submenu
      • Per diem rates
      • Transportation (airfare rates, POV rates, etc.)
      • Lodging
      • Travel charge card
    • Travel and lodging services
      Toggle submenu
      • E-gov travel service (ETS)
      • Rideshare
      • Travel category schedule
    • Federal travel regulation

    Featured Topics

    • Per diem rates look-up Allowances for lodging, meal and incidental costs while on official government travel.
    • Mileage reimbursement rates Reimbursement rates for the use of your own vehicle while on official government travel.
    • Explore technology
    • Build websites and digital services
    • Purchasing programs
      Toggle submenu
      • Cloud computing services
      • Cybersecurity products and services
      • Governmentwide acquisition contracts
      • MAS information technology
      • USAccess
    • Government initiatives
      Toggle submenu
      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Cybersecurity
      • Emerging citizen technology
      • FedRAMP
      • Federal identity, credentials, and access management
      • Robotic process automation community
      • Technology modernization fund
    • Training

    Featured Topics

    • Challenge.gov Government sponsored challenges and prize competitions.
    • Data.gov Access U.S. government data.
    • Multiple award schedule IT category Information technology products, services and solutions.
    • Explore about us
    • Background and history
      Toggle submenu
      • Overview
      • Mission and strategic goals
      • Role in presidential transitions
    • Careers
      Toggle submenu
      • Get an internship
      • Launch your career
      • Elevate your professional career
      • Discover special hiring paths
      • Resources and related links
    • Events and training
      Toggle submenu
      • Events, training, and request a speaker
      • Our training programs
    • Newsroom
      Toggle submenu
      • Agency blog
      • Congressional testimony
      • GSA does that podcast
      • News releases
      • Speeches
      • Videos
    • Organization
      Toggle submenu
      • Leadership directory
      • Federal Acquisition Service
      • Public Buildings Service
      • Staff offices
    • Regions
      Toggle submenu
      • Region 1 | New England
      • Region 2 | Northeast and Caribbean
      • Region 3 | Mid-Atlantic
      • Region 4 | Southeast Sunbelt
      • Region 5 | Great Lakes
      • Region 6 | Heartland
      • Region 7 | Greater Southwest
      • Region 8 | Rocky Mountain
      • Region 9 | Pacific Rim
      • Region 10 | Northwest/Arctic
      • Region 11 | National Capital Region
    • Contact us

    Featured Topics

    • Blog Read the latest GSA news, updates and analysis.
    • Careers Learn what we have to offer.
  • Per diem lookup
Buy through us
Explore buy through us
Category management
Government property for sale or lease
Personal property (tangible goods)
Real property (real estate and buildings) for public use
Real property sales
Vehicle sales
Products and services
Human capital
Industrial products and services
Office management
Professional services
Security and protection
Transportation and logistics services
Purchasing programs
Assisted acquisition
Commercial platforms
Federal strategic sourcing initiative
Fleet management
HCaTS and HCaTS SB
OASIS and OASIS SB
Requisition programs
State and local programs
Emergency acquisition basic ordering agreements
Shared services
Payroll services
Support services for CABs
Sell to government
Explore sell to government
Step 1: Learn about government contracting
Ways you can sell to government
How to access contract opportunities
Conduct market research
Step 2: Compete for a contract
Register your business
Certify as a small business
Become a schedule holder
Market your business
Research active solicitations
Respond to a solicitation
What to expect during the award process
Step 3: Manage your contract
Comply with contractual requirements
Handle contract modifications
Monitor past performance evaluations
Real estate
Explore real estate
Design and construction
3D-4D building information modeling
Computer-aided design standards
Engineering
Project management information system
Prospectus thresholds
Facilities management
Security
Tenant services
Water quality management
Our properties
Owned and leased properties
Regional buildings
Renting property
Real estate services
GSA lease inventory
Real property disposal
Reimbursable services (RWA)
For businesses seeking opportunities
For workers in federal buildings
Voice of the customer
Workplace optimization
Commercial coworking
Federal coworking
Space Match
Explore historic buildings
Policy and regulations
Explore policy and regulations
Acquisition management policy
Aviation management policy
Information technology policy
Real property management policy
Relocation management policy
Travel management policy
Vehicle management policy
Regulations
Federal acquisition regulations
Federal management regulations
Federal travel regulations
Small business
Explore small business
Small business goals
Register your business
Explore business models
Research the federal market
Subcontracting and other partnerships
Forecast of contracting opportunities
Small business resources
Small business contacts
Small business events
Videos
Travel
Explore travel
Plan a trip
Per diem rates
Transportation (airfare rates, POV rates, etc.)
Lodging
Travel charge card
Travel and lodging services
E-gov travel service (ETS)
Rideshare
Travel category schedule
Federal travel regulation
Technology
Explore technology
Build websites and digital services
Purchasing programs
Cloud computing services
Cybersecurity products and services
Governmentwide acquisition contracts
MAS information technology
USAccess
Government initiatives
Artificial Intelligence
Cybersecurity
Emerging citizen technology
FedRAMP
Federal identity, credentials, and access management
Robotic process automation community
Technology modernization fund
Training
About us
Explore about us
Background and history
Overview
Mission and strategic goals
Role in presidential transitions
Careers
Get an internship
Launch your career
Elevate your professional career
Discover special hiring paths
Resources and related links
Events and training
Events, training, and request a speaker
Our training programs
Newsroom
Agency blog
Congressional testimony
GSA does that podcast
News releases
Speeches
Videos
Organization
Leadership directory
Federal Acquisition Service
Public Buildings Service
Staff offices
Regions
Region 1 | New England
Region 2 | Northeast and Caribbean
Region 3 | Mid-Atlantic
Region 4 | Southeast Sunbelt
Region 5 | Great Lakes
Region 6 | Heartland
Region 7 | Greater Southwest
Region 8 | Rocky Mountain
Region 9 | Pacific Rim
Region 10 | Northwest/Arctic
Region 11 | National Capital Region
Contact us
  1. Home
  2. Real estate
  3. Historic preservation
  4. Explore historic buildings
  5. Heritage tourism
  6. Our Capital
  7. Lafayette Square
  8. West Side Historic Properties

West Side Historic Properties

The western side of Lafayette Square is home to a number of historic properties, some of them overseen by GSA. The townhouses, once endangered by the wrecking ball, were acquired by the federal government in 1957. In 1962. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy successfully lobbied to retain historic character of Lafayette Square and saved the houses from demolition. Between 1963 and 1971, the historic houses were rehabilitated. At the same time, new federal office buildings harmonious with the historic houses were constructed, retaining the area’s special character.

The west side of Lafayette Square from Pennsylvania Avenue (left side of photo) and going north up the block.
The west-side of Lafayette Square, starting, left to right, with the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Jackson Place and north up Jackson.

The block begins at 704 Jackson Place, which is part of the President’s Guest House complex, and terminates on H Street at the Stephen Decatur House, designed by Benjamin Latrobe. The plans of the attached houses are typical of the era—three stories with a basement and three bays wide, with off-center entrances on a piano nobile (which is defined as the principal floor of a large house). All houses are of masonry construction, with either sandstone or brick decorative trim and door surrounds.

President’s guest house

(Includes Blair House, Lee House, and 700 and 704 Jackson Place)

Jackson Place sitting room, Blair House, located across from the White House, Washington, D.C.
Jackson Place sitting room, Blair House, located across from the White House, Washington, D.C.

The President’s Guest House, typically referred to as “Blair House.” consists of four, visually distinct buildings that have been unified on the interior to serve the needs of visiting dignitaries. The property contains 119 rooms, including 14 guest bedrooms and 35 bathrooms, among other functional spaces. At 70,000 square feet, Blair House is larger than the White House. The property has undergone numerous exterior and interior alterations since its original construction, yet retains its historic appeal. The building at 716 Jackson Place is owned by the federal government and is reserved for the exclusive use by former presidents when they are in town. Purchased by the government in the late 1950s, it became the “Presidential Townhouse” in 1969 by order of President Richard Nixon. The five story building includes two dining rooms, multiple bedrooms, and space for a Secret Service detail in the basement. A four-story building dating from the late 1860’s, it was once the home of Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

Trowbridge house

708 Jackson Place

Constructed in 1859 as the residence of William P. Trowbridge, a famous soldier, scientist, and explorer. The house is a typical three-bay example of a mid-nineteenth century attached house with a strong bracketed cornice and sandstone door surround. The grey slate mansard roof was added in the 1880s reflecting changing architectural taste. Trowbridge sold the house in 1869 and, in the early 1900s, it was leased by the United States government for use as office space.

James Alden/Henry Rathbone house

712 Jackson Place

712 Jackson Place was built in 1869 for Admiral James Blair, but was soon sold to Major Henry Rathbone. Rathbone is known for accompanying President Abraham Lincoln to Ford’s Theatre on the night of the assassination. Rathbone tried to detain assassin John Wilkes Booth, and was badly wounded in the process. During World War I, the building was home to the Committee for Public Information, and for a brief time it housed the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, the oldest women’s peace organization in the world. Currently, it houses the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships.

The O’Toole Steele, Glover, and Knower-Scott houses

730, 734, and 736 Jackson Place

734-736 Jackson Place, Lafayette Square, Washington, DC
734-736 Jackson Place, Washington, DC. 736 is the Marcy/Townsend House.

These houses date from the 1860s to 1870s. These houses maintain the rhythm of the block, while interjecting more elaborate details such as the two-story bay window fronting the Glover House. The ornate door and window surrounds are much heavier and forceful here, particularly in the paired, balustraded windows of the Knower-Scott House.

The Marcy/Townsend house, as the property at 736 Jackson Place has become to be known, is rich in historical and architectural associations. The original Italianate row house was skillfully reworked to the designs of the prominent firm of Carrere and Hastings in 1895. A two-story rear addition, measuring 16 by 29 and a half feet, was made at this time, at a cost of (then) $12,000. The rear addition appears to have contained a ballroom.

President Theodore Roosevelt resided at the Marcy/Townsend house during the White House renovation in 1902. Roosevelt didn’t stay long, spending the summer with his family in Oyster Bay, New York. He returned after an accident with a streetcar in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The President conducted executive business and held cabinet meetings at the residence.

Decatur house

748 Jackson Place

A fine example of a Federal-period townhouse, Decatur House was built in 1818 by U.S. naval hero Commodore Stephen Decatur and was the first private home on the square. It has been the residence of several distinguished diplomats and political figures since then. Decatur House stands out for another painful, powerful reason. Decatur House is one of the few remaining examples of slave quarters in an urban setting. Today, the National Trust for Historic Preservation operates the residence as an historic house museum. The White House Historical Association, which makes its home here, was founded by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy.

Print Page Email Page
Last updated: Aug 12, 2024
Top
    • Overview
    • Washington DC
    • Lafayette Square
      • East Side Historic Properties
      • West Side Historic Properties
    • National Register of Historic Places: DC Travel Itinerary
    • Pennsylvania Avenue National Hist Site

Home

  • Resources for …
    • Americans with Disabilities
    • Citizens and Consumers
    • Federal Employees
    • GSA Employees
    • Native American affairs
    • Presidential & Congressional Commissions, Boards or Small Agencies
    • Small Business
  • Governmentwide Initiatives
    • Centers of Excellence
    • Digital experience
    • Emergency response
    • Federal Cybersecurity
    • ID, Credentials, and Access Management
    • Information Quality
    • Open Data
    • Technology Modernization Fund
  • Contact Us
  • Organization
    • Leadership Directory
    • Staff Directory
  • References
    • Annual reports
    • Plain Language
    • Budget and Performance
    • Catalogs
    • Orders & Directives
    • Forms
  • Website Information
    • A-Z Index
    • Report a website issue
    • Sitemap
  • Also of Interest
    • Data.gov
    • Whitehouse.gov
  • Tools
    • eBuy
    • eLibrary
    • Contracting forecast tool
    • GSA Advantage
    • GSA Auctions
GSA logo
  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • Blog
  • email

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

GSA.gov

An official website of the U.S. General Services Administration

  • Accessibility statement
  • Website Policies
  • Reports
  • Office of the Inspector General
  • No FEAR Act
  • FOIA Requests
  • Board of Contract Appeals
Looking for U.S. government information and services?
Visit USA.gov

PER DIEM LOOK-UP

1 Choose a location

Error, The Per Diem API is not responding. Please try again later.

No results could be found for the location you've entered.

Get my location

OR

OR

Rates for Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories and possessions are set by the Department of Defense.

Rates for foreign countries are set by the Department of State.

2 Choose a date


OR

Rates are available between 10/1/2022 and 09/30/2025.

The End Date of your trip can not occur before the Start Date.

 
 
Additional terms and conditions

Traveler reimbursement is based on the location of the work activities and not the accommodations, unless lodging is not available at the work activity, then the agency may authorize the rate where lodging is obtained.

Unless otherwise specified, the per diem locality is defined as "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city, including independent entities located within those boundaries."

Per diem localities with county definitions shall include"all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed counties, including independent entities located within the boundaries of the key city and the listed counties (unless otherwise listed separately)."

When a military installation or Government - related facility(whether or not specifically named) is located partially within more than one city or county boundary, the applicable per diem rate for the entire installation or facility is the higher of the rates which apply to the cities and / or counties, even though part(s) of such activities may be located outside the defined per diem locality.