Stone House at Harper Park

Was the Old Stone House truly George Washington’s headquarters? The answer, surprisingly, is no. Yet, this very myth saved the Old Stone House at Harper Park from demolition. Here, at 3051 M Street Northwest in Georgetown, stands one of Washington D.C.’s oldest structures, a time capsule dating back to 1765. This unassuming building is the last pre-revolutionary colonial structure in the city, stubbornly clinging to its original foundation amidst a sea of modern development. The Old Stone House at Harper Park wasn’t built all at once. Its story unfolds in three chapters, mirroring the evolving fortunes of its early owners. In 1764, Christopher and Rachel Layman purchased the land. They built a humble one-room house from locally quarried blue granite and fieldstone. Imagine the Laymans, with their simple possessions: tools, a stove, Bibles, and a few pieces of furniture. Tragedy struck in 1765 when Christopher died, leaving Rachel a widow. She later remarried and sold the house to Cassandra Chew. Chew, a woman of means, expanded the Old Stone House. Between 1767 and 1775, she added a rear kitchen and a second floor, transforming the simple dwelling into a comfortable home and merchant’s shop. A property line dispute in the 1790s led to the construction of the third floor, completing the Old Stone House as we see it today. The rumor of George Washington and Pierre L’Enfant meeting here during the planning of the capital city, though untrue, took root. The story goes that they met at the Old Stone House, discussing the grand design of the new nation’s capital. The real meeting place was Suter’s Tavern. However, John Suter Jr., whose father owned the tavern, rented a room in the Old Stone House, adding to the confusion. This charming folklore is the reason the Old Stone House at Harper Park still stands. It became a cherished local landmark. In the 20th century, the Old Stone House at Harper Park faced a different kind of threat. By 1953, it had become a used car dealership, its backyard transformed into a parking lot. The federal government stepped in, purchasing the property. The National Park Service meticulously restored the building, removing the modern intrusions. They even transformed the parking lot into a tranquil English garden, a fitting backdrop for this historic gem. Today, the Old Stone House at Harper Park welcomes visitors, offering a glimpse into 18th-century life. Inside, the rooms are furnished as they would have been in Cassandra Chew’s time. You can almost hear the echoes of conversations, the clatter of kitchen work, and the tick-tock of the original clock, likely made by John Suter Jr., still keeping time in the dining room. The Old Stone House stands as a testament to the power of stories, even the ones that aren’t entirely true. It reminds us that sometimes, a little bit of myth can help preserve something truly special.