“Envision directing Supreme Court operations from a first-floor study.” That’s precisely what Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes did here. We are standing before what is known as the Charles Evans Hughes House. This house stands at 2223 R Street NW. It reflects Mediterranean Revival architecture with stone facades. Note the rounded arch windows on its second floor.
The Charles Evans Hughes House has quite the story. It was built in 1907 by George Oakley Totten Jr. From 1930 to 1948, it was the residence of Charles Evans Hughes. Hughes was a prominent figure. He was a Republican politician and Chief Justice of the United States.
Hughes was appointed Chief Justice in 1930 by President Herbert Hoover. He lived here until his death in 1948. The Charles Evans Hughes House was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1972. It contributes significantly to the Sheridan-Kalorama Historic District.
Look at the house’s design. It is modeled on an Italian palazzo. The ground floor is unpainted. There is a flared glass-and-iron hood sheltering the main entrance. The second-floor windows are tall. They are set in rounded arch openings. Shallow iron balconies accentuate them. The third-floor windows are rectangular. Bracketed stone window boxes adorn them.
Hughes purchased the house in 1930. He moved next door to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Francis Adams. Hughes maintained a study on the first floor. For eleven years, he directed the Supreme Court from these modest quarters.
Before Hughes, the house served diplomatic missions. Peru and Chile once used it. In 1972, the Union of Burma purchased the building. Today, it serves as the official residence of Myanmar’s ambassador to the United States. The Charles Evans Hughes House maintains diplomatic significance in Washington D.C.
The Charles Evans Hughes House is more than just a building. It represents a significant period in American history. It embodies the life and work of Charles Evans Hughes. His influence on the Supreme Court echoes within these walls. It reminds us of his dedication to justice and public service.