The oldest standing building in Washington DC, is no other than the Old Stone House. This is the house where Washington’s last Pre Revolutionary Colonial building took place on its original foundation. It was built in 1765, and is located at 3051 M Street, Northwest, in the Georgetown neighborhood. Unlike most of the colonial homes in the area the sentimental local folklore preserved the Old Stone House from being demolished.

The Old Stone House was constructed in three phrases during the 18th century and is an example of Vernacular architecture. During its history, the house was transformed from a one-story building into a used car dealership. After a renovation by the National Park Service (NPS) in the 1950s, the Old Stone House was turned into a house museum. The Old Stone House stands among the neighborhood’s stores and restaurants as an example of local history for tourists, shoppers, and Georgetown University students. The building, valued at over $7 million, is part of the Rock Creek Parkway urban natural area and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The Old Stone House is also a contributing property to the Georgetown Historic District, a National Historic Landmark. Today, the home is 85% original to its 18th century construction.

In 1764, Christopher and Rachel Layman bought Lot Three, a piece of land in Georgetown’s commercial district. They paid one pound, ten shillings and financed the construction of a simple one-room house the following year. The lot faced Bridge Street, now known as M Street, NW. The Laymans’ only possessions were Christopher’s tools, a stove, Bibles, and some furniture. When Christopher died unexpectedly in 1765, Rachel remarried two years later and sold the house to another widow, Cassandra Chew.

Replica of Layman’s work shop on the first floorChew was a member of the upper-middle class and owned several properties in and around Georgetown. Because of her wealth, Chew was able to finance the construction of a rear kitchen in 1767 and a second floor between 1767 and 1775. The third floor originated in a property line dispute during the 1790s: the original west wall had been constructed six feet beyond the property line and had to be dismantled. Chew used the opportunity to add the upper floor.

Following the American Revolutionary War, government officials had carved out land from Virginia and Maryland to use as the new nation’s capital. Pierre Charles L’Enfant, appointed by President George Washington to design the city layout, arrived in Georgetown on March 9, 1791 and began his work. Washington and L’Enfant held their meetings at Suter’s Tavern, a former building owned by John Suter near 31st and K Streets, NW. At the time, John Suter Jr. was renting a room at the Old Stone House and for many years, locals believed that Washington and L’Enfant had actually met at the Old Stone House instead. This folklore is the reason the house was never demolished, and for many years a sign hung over the front door which said, “George Washington’s Headquarters.”