Laird-Dunlop House

Did John Laird ever imagine his tobacco warehouse fortune would build a home for a Lincoln? Here at 3014 N Street NW stands the Laird-Dunlop House. It’s a grand testament to Georgetown’s rich history. The Laird-Dunlop House isn’t just a pretty facade. It’s a time capsule holding centuries of stories. The main block was built in the 1790s by John Laird. He was one of Georgetown’s wealthiest men. The house was designed by William Lovering, a self-trained architect with an undeniable talent. Laird’s daughter, Barbara, inherited the house. She lived there with her husband, Judge James Dunlop, giving the house its hyphenated name. The original structure is Federal in style. Later additions brought the distinct red brick and arched windows you see today. These additions reflect the Colonial Revival style popular in the late 19th century. Over the years, the Laird-Dunlop House has hosted some remarkable residents. Robert Todd Lincoln, son of President Abraham Lincoln, bought the house in 1918. He split his time between this Georgetown mansion and his Vermont estate, Hildene. The house was a place of respite for the Lincoln family. His wife, Mary Harlan Lincoln, continued to live here after Robert’s death in 1926, until her own passing in 1937. Decades later, another famous name graced the halls of Laird-Dunlop. Benjamin C. Bradlee, the famed Washington Post editor, bought the house in 1983. He lived here with his wife, Sally Quinn, until his death in 2014. Under their stewardship, the Laird-Dunlop House became a hub for Washington’s social elite. Imagine the conversations, the debates, the laughter echoing within these walls. The Laird-Dunlop House has witnessed history unfold, from the tobacco trade to the Watergate scandal. It stands today, a vibrant piece of Georgetown’s enduring legacy.