The Blaine Mansion & The Massachusetts Avenue Historic District

Though 22 September represented the start of fall it was just hours after Richard's departure on Tuesday that, in connection with my ongoing project, In the Fall of the Year 2006, I would visit the Dupont Circle area to collect more images for my ongoing Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets and Dupont Circle Historic District projects.

Located just west of Dupont Circle the bold, monochromatic brick and terracotta building at 2000 Massachusetts Avenue is the Blaine Mansion built in 1881 for James G. Blaine, a Republican from Maine and three-time loser in his try for the White House. In 1901 George Westinghouse, of the electric company fame, bought this house and lived here until his death in 1914. This is the last standing Dupont Circle mansion of those homes that surrounded the circle in the earliest period of the area's development. Its newly renovated interior provides a historic setting for several firms.

As Chester A. Arthur settled into the White House in 1882, roofers a few blocks away were driving hand made nails to secure a new slate roof on a Dupont Circle mansion. Although the Arthur presidency hasn't weathered well (who even remembers President Arthur?), the roof on the Blaine Mansion lasted 115 years.

A new roof that was installed, in 2001, by Moisture Infiltration Consultants. Inc should last through an equally impressive number of presidencies. With 12,000 slate shingles weighing more than 27 tons, the roof is not only beautiful but extremely durable.

When searching the internet pertaining to the Blaine Mansion I'd learn that it is amongst the Massachusetts Avenue Historic District which includes buildings fronting on Massachusetts Avenue from 17th St., NW to Observatory Circle.

Currently, the Blaine Mansion houses several law offices including Phillips and Chohen, Mesirow & Stravitz, PLLC - DC Personal Injury Lawyers and Spencer, Graham and Holderman.