Capitol Hill Townhomes

In the fall of 1798, after several months of scouting and negotiations, former President Washington selected a property on the west side of North Capitol Street to build his townhomes.

Debating Architecture

Washington desired two houses joined, and enclosed a sketch in his own hand to his builder, George Blagden. He requested that his plan be examined by a second commissioner, Dr. William Thornton, who had impressed the President with his prize-winning design of the Capitol. 

It is interesting to follow the correspondence between Thornton -- who was later responsible for the Octagon, Woodlawn, and Tudor Place -- and the architect of Mount Vernon. Washington professed his “ignorance of Architectural principles”, relying on his eye as a guide.

Although willing to accept suggestions for alterations, Washington was not willing to turn over the design to Thornton. After a trip to Philadelphia in the autumn of 1798, Washington wrote the commissioner that he had seen a building in that city “about the same dimensions in front and elevation that are to be given to my two houses, -- which pleased me -- It consisted also of two houses, united Doors in the center, a Pediment in the Roof and dormer windows on each side of it in front, skylight in the rear. -- If this is not incongruous with rules of Architecture, I should be glad to have my two houses executed in this style.”

Thornton respectfully replied: “It is a Desideratum in Architecture to hide as much as possible the Roof -- for which reason, in London, there is generally a parapet to hide the Dormant Windows. The Pediment may with propriety be introduced but I have some doubts with respect to its adding any beauty.”

Neither man wished to yield, but Washington said he would consider both features. 

To Washington, the pediment at Mount Vernon was a success, as was the“rusticated” method of painting the great house on the Potomac. He hoped to duplicate the "rusticated" finish on the wood trim of his brick townhouses. “Sanding, is designed to answer two purposes -- durability, & representation of Stone…” He explained to Thornton that it was effected by “dashing, as long as any will stick, the sand upon a coat of thick paint”. He admitted that clean white sand was hard to come by and that Mount Vernon would provide, if needed, the softest free stone pounded and sifted.

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