Funkstown – Foggy Bottom’s Oldest Houses, Once Removed

By Frank Leone

The John Lenthall Houses, built circa 1800, are likely the oldest houses in Foggy Bottom. They were built on 19th Street, but George Washington University – in an amazing feat of engineering - moved them to their current location on 21st Street. GWU wanted to make room for the World Bank, but relocated the houses, recognizing their historic value. To tell this fascinating story, we are delighted to feature a guest post by public historian Emma Wiley. Emma is a public historian with a special interest in collaborating with communities to utilize their historical and cultural resources and graduates from American University with a MA in History this spring. Emma and I met at a recent DC History Center Oral History Workshop. Please read her post: “Lenthall Houses – A Moving Experience”

The twin Federal style John Lenthall Houses on 21st Street today (F. Leone, Mar. 2025).

Our friend Kacey Sease at the George Washington University Albert Small Washingtonia Collection recently featured a DC Mondays presentation by GWU alumnus Steve Sorkin on March 17, 2025, Saving Foggy Bottom’s Historic Buildings. Mr. Sorkin describes the students’ efforts to preserve the Lenthall Houses and others (e.g. Red Lion Row) in response to GWU’s aggressive rebuilding campus plan of the early-mid-1970s.

The HABS Lenthall Houses Report provides photographs of the houses at their original location (including the interiors) the houses being moved (above), and the houses at their new location.

Note that during early 20th century, #614 19th Street was the home of Washington artist Bertha Noyes and the Arts Club of Washington was founded here in 1916. (It promptly moved to its current location in the Monroe House, at 2017 I Street.) Further note that from 1892-1902 the house was occupied by John Lenthall Waggaman, son of Jane Lenthall Waggaman (a relative of the original owner) and Thomas Waggaman, the developer of the Waggaman House, which GW demolished (instead of relocating) in 2021.

The rear of the John Lenthall Houses today (F. Leone, March 2025).

Sources:  DC Historic Sites, John Lenthall Houses; Lenthall Houses, National Register Nomination Form (1980); Historic American Building Survey (HABS) DC-438, Lenthall Houses (1983); FBA History Project. You can read our prior posts to learn more about Jacob Funk and Funkstown, where the houses were located.