Richard Cutts House, 1518 H Street, Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia, DC

Significance: Social center of Washington where the widowed Dolley Madison spent the last 12 years of her life. This building is reported to have been built by Mrs. Madison's brother-in-law, Richard Cutts who was unable to maintain it. Ownership passed to James Madison a few years after completion in satisfaction of debt. After Madison's death in 1836, the widow is said to have devoted the proceeds form the sale of his papers to Congress to modernizing the mansion for her use. From 1837 to her death in 1849 it was a social center of the city. Here on New Years' Day guests came to make a ceremonial call on Mrs. Madison after visiting the White House.
Survey number: HABS DC-58
Building/structure dates: 1820 Initial Construction