Decatur House Tours

Commodore Stephen Decatur, who made a name for himself during the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812 as a Naval hero, commissioned the Decatur House on Lafayette Square. Unfortunately, he and his wife Susan only resided there for a mere 14 months, as Decatur was mortally wounded in a duel. Susan then rented the home to the likes of Henry Clay, Edward Livingston, and Martin Van Buren.

After Susan sold the home in 1836, the Decatur House continued to house many notable occupants, as well as both free and enslaved servants. The wealthy hotel and tavern owner John Gadsby initially purchased Decatur House from Susan; but upon his death, his wife, Providence, again rented out the home. The Federal government occupied Decatur House during the Civil War until Edward Beale purchased the home in 1871. The home stayed in the Beale family until 1956, when Marie Beale bequeathed the property to the National Trust for Historic Preservation as part of a concerted effort to preserve Lafayette Square's 19th-century charm. The Decatur House and its storied history is a hidden gem within the president's neighborhood

Tour Information: The Decatur House offers free, guided tours every Monday (except Federal Holidays) at 11:00am, 12:30pm, and 2:00pm.

Gift Shop: Open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Closed on Federal Holidays.

Event Rentals: For more information about renting the Decatur House for a private event click here.