Decatur House

Admiral Nelson declared Stephen Decatur "the greatest hero of the age" for his 1804 raids crippling the "Barbary" pirates. Decatur uttered the famous toast, "my country, right or wrong," but he died in a needless duel in 1820. The property, a square three-story townhouse constructed with red brick in Federal style, was designed by architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe for Decatur in 1818. The permanent collection comprises furniture, textiles, art and ceramics of the period. In 2010, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the White House Historical Association established the National Center for White House History at Decatur House, dedicated to housing artifacts and promoting research. Occasional lectures and other events are held here. Also here is the White House Historical Association gift shop, the Shop at President’s Square.