The Dupont Circle House Tour is Sunday

Photos by Phil Carney

From an email:

“The Dupont Circle House Tour will be Sunday, October 15th from 12:00-5:00 p.m. Celebrating its 50th year, the house tour will highlight the Avenue of the Presidents: 16th Street NW. Tour goers will explore the corridor’s varied architectural buildings ranging from four-story row houses to apartment buildings, Embassies, institutional buildings, and churches.

Included in the tour is an afternoon tea at the Temple of the Scottish Rite. Designed by John Russell Pope (who also designed the National Archives and the Jefferson Memorial), the temple was constructed between 1911-15, and was modeled after the tomb of King Mausolus at Halicarnassus.

Tickets are $40 in advance; $50 at the door, and may be purchased on line www.dupont-circle.org/tickets. Tickets on the day of the tour are available at the Temple of the Scottish Rite, 1730 16th Street, NW, from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm.”

Full press release after the jump.

“​The Dupont Circle Citizens Association will hold its 50th Annual House Tour on Sunday, October 15 from 12 to 5 pm.

This anniversary tour highlights the Avenue of the Presidents: 16th Street NW. As one of the most important numbered streets in the Capital City, the 16th Street Historic District stretches from Scott Circle to Florida Avenue. This stretch of 16th Street represents one of the best-preserved and visually interesting late-19th-early 20th-century streetscapes in DC. The imaginative, varied facades of these buildings create a rhythmic streetscape and a continuous visual experience seldom so well preserved in the District of Columbia.

Tourgoers will explore the corridor’s varied architectural buildings ranging from three- and four-story rowhouses and apartment buildings, to Embassies, institutional buildings, and churches.

“This year’s tour features 14 historic townhouses, converted condos and apartments,” said Ms Robin Diener, President of the Dupont Circle Citizens Association. “Tourgoers will see a range of modern and traditional homes, with some being a mix of both.”

In this year’s set of homes, unique collections and stunning art abound. The latest in gleaming kitchens and a top-of-the-line wine cellar go hand in hand with historic interiors. Balconies, roof decks, a winter garden and charming park-like backyards round out the view.

“This year’s house tour is bookended by two magnificent apartment buildings – the Camden Roosevelt and the Presidential,” said Ms Marcy Logan, DCCA board member and co-chair of the 50th Dupont Circle House Tour committee. “Both of these buildings were designed by the same architect, Appleton P. Clark, Jr. It provides a nice beginning and end to the tour. Appleton Clark also designed Foundry United Methodist at 16th and P Streets NW, which can be viewed along the tour route.”

Included in the tour is a lavish afternoon tea at the Temple of the Scottish Rite. Designed by John Russell Pope (who also designed the National Archives and the Jefferson Memorial), the temple was constructed between 1911 and 1915, and was modeled after the tomb of King Mausolus at Halicarnassus. In 1931, the building was voted the fifth most beautiful building in the world by a group of members from the Association of American Architects.

“We invite people to come and stroll our tree-shaded streets, and enjoy this rare opportunity to see what’s behind the facades of some of the most magnificent Dupont Circle homes and historic apartment buildings,” Ms Diener said.

Advance tickets for the event are $40 and may be purchased at www.dupont-circle.org/tickets. Tickets on the day of the tour are $50 and will be available at the Temple of the Scottish Rite, 1730 16th NW, from 11am – 3 pm.”