Ive seen this place so many times in my life but almost everytime I have ever passed it, it was not open. But, recently, while in Gtown on a nice day around 5:30pm, and strolling down M St, I saw the door was open to this place, and was pretty excited to check it out! I do like NPS sites and wil make every effort to stop at a site when I can. However, this place was a bit lackluster for me. I think the West has truly spoiled me as this place didnt do much for me. I get that its the oldest building in DC and that George Washington was mistaken to have slept here, but only the 1st floor was open and not much to see except a fireplace. The 2nd floor was also closed. The front room mainly had a bunch of souvenirs for sale. I bought a few postcards to support NPS. I didnt get a chance to visit the back yard as I have heard thats the best part of this visit. Ill try to visit this on another visit. I also thought that the front sidewalk could have been better paved and think more work can be done on sidewalks of M St to make it more appealing. Overall, a disappointing visit and experience but I was glad I finally saw the inside. read more

My wife and I love visiting NPS sites and we stopped in here back in May while walking around Georgetown. It's a free site and is right on one of the main streets, so it's an easy one to visit. The house is small inside, but has a variety of information available to read. There's also a lovely backyard that is very peaceful and was our favorite place to visit. It's a nice little park site and I'd recommend it if you're in the area. read more

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This was a fun attraction while visiting Georgetown. So much history is scattered across DC and Georgetown. The tours are only given Monday and weekends, so if you're interested try to book in advance (they're free). If you don't make it the tour you can still explore the garden in the back and the little courtyard on the side. We got to eavesdrop on one of the guides giving a tour and learned some fun facts about the place. read more

Not a lot to look at inside, so it makes for a quick stop. The inside has a gift shop and then 1 small room to view the fireplace and a few banners and a table display. It's a happy accident that this place was saved since it was believed George Washington stayed here, turns out he didn't, but we still have this original building from before our country was founded. The gardens outside are lovely! read more

Old Stone House - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Although it's one of the oldest structures in Washington D.C, the inside was underwhelming since it's smaller than expected, the second floor is crowded for some reason, and it was crowded. On the bright side, it sold some cherry blossom-themed souvenirs such as playing cards, stickers, and even pens. read more

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A lot of buildings around here are historic. In Georgetown is the oldest. The Old Stone House is the oldest building built in the city and preserved in the original state. It has a small gift shop inside. There's a large garden outside. It appears to be the oldest building in the city. It was built in 1765, while it was in the then separate town of Georgetown. This was also believed to be a place visited by George Washington. Even though it was proven that it wasn't true, this building was still an important piece of history. This was saved from destruction because people thought Washington came here, and so it accidentally became a museum. It doesn't lake long to look at. The museum also has a nice garden that has benches and it a popular place for people to sit and read. It's also cool the admission is free. There's not a whole lot to see inside but it's interesting looking around and seeing what it was like being in this. It often closes for several months. Renovations often seem to occur regularly. The admission is free so that's more than enough reason to make a visit. read more

Old Stone House - Inside - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Georgetown is beautiful, and so is this cute, historic house in the middle of their gorgeous main street. The street itself is lined with restored historic buildings that now house high-end shops such as Aritzia, Lilly Pulitzer, Steve Madden, Kiehl's, Haagen-Dazs, Sprinkles, Free People, UBIQ and more. In the middle of all of these big-name stores stands this cute Old Stone House. What is this Old Stone House you ask? It's a home that was built in 1766 - currently the "oldest structure on its original foundation in D.C." Very cool! The website also says, "Although it is preserved for its architecture today, it was originally preserved through a case of mistaken identity and a desire to remember George Washington." You can walk inside for free while exploring this street, and it only takes a few minutes, as it's small (you'll probably have to duck to go inside!). Don't miss the cute park out back. read more

What percentage of people see this house when they're strolling around Georgetown but pay it no mind? Probably 95%. So what's so special about this building and why should you visit? From Wikipedia: Built in 1765, The Old Stone House is the oldest unchanged building in Washington, D.C., United States. It's part of Rock Creek Parkway and a registered historic place meaning there'll be a park ranger dude tending the site. It has a small gift shop and little park in the backyard where you can escape city life for a second. The powerlines streaming across the top of the park kinda take away from the serenity though. Is it worth a visit? Sort of. If you're around while it's open, might as well drop in because it's free and could literally take you 5-10 to see and read everything it has to offer. Bottom line is that it's pretty much just some real old building! read more

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Old Stone House is nestled in Georgetown, and briefly mentioned in all of the tour guide books that I looked through when visiting Georgetown, so I figured to give this place a visit. My husband, our little girl dog and I came on a Tuesday, early evening. This house is made of mostly all stone and is the oldest building in DC, kept in it's original structure. The Old Stone House was building in 1765. The Old Stone House was used as a home and a shop for Christopher Layman, a cabinetmaker, and his wife, Rachel. In the 1950's, this was used as a car dealership and then eventually became a museum in the 1960's. During that time, pre Revolutionary architecture and furniture was on display for visitors to view. Since October last year, through this December, the Old Stone House has been closed for restoration and upgrading. However I did not know that when I came. The door on the 1st floor was open and I went on in (curiosity killed the cat). The house has 3 floors (the 3rd floor was an add on from the original owners) and was rather barren. But after finding out much later that the museum has been closed, it makes sense why everything was taken out. As I walked up and down the stairs, across the floor boards, everything just creaked. Ceilings are rather low and it just got hotter as I went up higher (heat rises). It would have been nice to have a tour of this place by a docent and see furniture, but it was still nice to see the structure and layout of this home. I am impressed how well kept the walls and floors were on this visit. Once this reopens, hopefully you will stop by and take a visit (and take some photos of the inside) and learn some history about the occupants and previous owners of this historical building. read more

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The Old Stone House is a small museum, gift shop, and garden in the heart of Georgetown. It's run by Rock Creek Park and free for all to enter. The building itself is small, but its historical significance great. It's the oldest structure in the city still on its original foundation. The house is two levels and tiny. With reading through the exhibit, it may take 30 minutes to go through it all. There's then a small gift shop in the front to browse. Outside in the backyard is a long garden with several benches for reading. It's a great spot to get some respite from the city. read more

I stumbled upon here while walking along the store fronts in Georgetown. We decided to go inside because why not? The inside is very small and you walk on a downward slant BUT once inside there's a store and some information on the house, who lived there, etc. it's fun and a nice way to break up all the shopping. On a nice day, the back yard is fantastic. We walked around up there, sat down on one of the multiple benches and had a great time! read more

This is an odd landmark. Signage claims that it was once widely believed to be a former residence of George Washington, but in fact is not, meaning that it is essentially a historically insignificant building that was preserved by accident. Not that historical preservation is a bad thing. The inside includes three levels with a few basic exhibits on what a residence would have looked like a very long time ago. It isn't very big or exciting, and visitors expecting to be impressed likely won't be. Its main function is as a visitor center for other sights in Georgetown. Perhaps more notable is that the lot out back has been made into a garden (apparently it was a parking lot for a time). Given that Georgetown real estate is some of the most expensive in the country, a public green space in this locale is notable in and of itself. It's not huge, nor is it sheltered from the noise of traffic, but it's there. read more

Old Stone House - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Historically, this is super cool. As a visitor during the hot summer days of June during a heat wave (96+), it was miserably hot. This is the oldest building in Georgetown, literally a stone house. Easy to find, on the main drag, it is a treasure that many people pass without realizing. They have it set up with some informational boards, and you are only allowed downstairs, but word is, they may be doing a serious upgrade to the visitor's experience soon. Lovely gift shop when you first walk in. read more

The most remarkable aspect of the Old Stone House may not be the house at all. I think it's actually the lovely garden behind the house! At the back there is a splendid little bench where you can park yourself and enjoy the sunshine, your lunch or even take a conference call. It's a serene little spot to momentarily escape the mania of M Street. read more

I am a big fan of Old Stone House Park. I work just down the road from Old Stone House, and when the weather is nice, the park is sort of my mid-day "happy place." Right in the middle of all of M Street's hustle and bustle, this little rectangular park offers quiet and tranquility. I love the history, the landscaping, and the simple concept of being able to step off of one of DC's busiest streets into a simpler time. Even in the winter when not much of the park's gardens are blooming, it's lovely. The Old Stone House itself is easy enough to walk right past, but it seems like even fewer people actually stop to enjoy this little gem of a park. I'm fine with that as I'd like to keep it all to myself, but if you find yourself in Georgetown, it's a great place to sip coffee or indulge in any of the neighborhood's readily available sweet treats. read more

What a great little spot in Georgetown - but if you blink you'll miss it! It's a super tiny stone house on M Street that oftentimes can be mistaken for a private residence. I"ve been here multiple times - sometimes I've seen photo shoots in the back or one time even a wedding snapping shots. Inside is a small gift shop and notes about the history of the house - the oldest in the DC area. It's certainly a quick stop, but definitely worth it! read more

Its free and a cute little place. However, as tourists, we actually went out of our way to see this place, and although it may have that cuteness level, it was not worth it for us - but not all was lost just because it is located in the lovely area of Georgetown, and we found plenty of other things to do around it. read more

The website for this historic site states that this humble old building "commemorates the daily lives of ordinary Americans who made this city, and this nation, unique". Other people know this House as a spot for public urination and other such illegal activities, right in the heart of Georgetown's bustling M street. There is a big, shady back yard, populated by Magnolia trees and rose bushes, and the rickety old fence that separates it from the sidewalk is never locked: go right in and make yourself at home. The last time I was here, my associate and I needed to kill some time before a class reunion on M street. We had our pockets stuffed with cans of Busch, and decided to visit this historic site in order to enjoy our beers in peace, before entering the hectic and expensive world that is Georgetown nightlife. There was a cement bench, a lush lawn, and a Bobcat presiding over a hole in the ground. A perfect place for your own little party...just remember to BYOB. read more

Old Stone House - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is the cute little Victorian garden that is beside the oldest known house in the metro DC. Though the garden is not of what would have been original to the house, it certainly is very well maintained and picturesque. For those aspiring photographers who want to get pictures of some flowers, here would be a great opportunity in addition to learning about the Old Stone House itself. Wonderful history with great photo ops. The gardens have a vast array of flowers. I really liked all the rose bushes and such. Keep in mind the garden is not massive, but just enough space to enjoy it and feel like you're in your own private getaway from the crowds of M Street. Worth seeing if you're in the Georgetown area. read more

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This is a little historical gem hidden in plain sight in Georgetown. I've probably walked by it 100 times, and finally walked in one day when a companion pointed it out. And I'm glad I did! This house is the oldest house in DC and dates back to 1765, pre-Revolutionary War! On the one hand, there isn't a lot inside - mostly just a sense of what the house looked like at the time. On the other hand, they have a timeline discussing the role this house and others nearby may have played in early America. You can also get a sense for what it might have been like to live there hundreds of years ago. Moreover, the park ranger there was an extremely nice and interesting woman who answered our many questions about the building and nearby historical sites. It's not a large place, but you can learn a lot from even just 20-30min walking around and talking to the ranger. It's also free, so quite the bargain. Definitely stop by as you walk through Georgetown and take a brief step back in time. :-) read more

Old Stone House, the oldest house in DC, was on my bucket list of things to do in DC and I visited on a mid-September day. The weather was beautiful and perfect for enjoying the garden with its many flowers, stone walks, and benches. Old Stone House is no Versailles. It's not even a Mount Vernon. It's a very small and everyday, rustic, plebian house with a small garden out back. And it's not even very famous or even noticeable in its urban landscape. However, it's still an icon and a testament that even a simple house can withstand the changes of time. It's very different from its urban Georgetown atmosphere and has been passed down from generation to generation and has been used for different hings, but it has been upkept in its original state (or very true to it). I had the great pleasure of speaking with a National Parks ranger who works there and is writing a thesis on the place. He was very helpful in explaining the historic significance and even the more minute details of the Old Stone House. It was very informative. Old Stone House is free and I would highly recommend visiting this gem! read more

Cute little house that let's you go back in time. The English garden out back is filled with beautiful plush looking flowers, a couple of benches and a small stone-paved walkway. Great for taking IG pics if that's what you're in to. The inside of the house is very small and narrow and gives insight as to what the houses back in the 1700s were like. read more

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Tucked away along the boutique clothing stores and corporate businesses of Georgetown is the Old Stone House Park. The park consists of the oldest house in DC and a garden. Simple and small for a national park, but the house is wonderfully historically preserved. There is usually a park ranger or a volunteer staffing the house that can tell you about the family that lived here and the shop they ran. It's a quick stop and worth stopping in to see the sparse lifestyle of a "well off" DC family in the 18th century. read more

This little house has the cutest garden. When I'm in Georgetown I always stop by and sit on one of the benches and relax for a few minutes!

If you've spent any time in Georgetown, you' ve passed by this historic house a billion times. OK, maybe not a billion, but you get the idea. What you may not realize (well, I didn't know this) was that this is the oldest standing house in DC. It was built in the mid 1700's. Back then, what is now M Street was called Bridge street which was still a main street as far as road traffic. The Stone House was initially a residence, a clock store, and paint shop among other things. In nice weather, it is a great spot to hang out in the English gardens and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the bars and shops. Also, you can take a tour of the house with six rooms, all decorated in a colonial style. read more

The reprieve from people is probably the best element of this small park. Is it a little overgrown and could it be better kept? Maybe it's the look they are going for, I'm not sure. Reminds me of my grandma's yard for some reason. Don't come for a diverse plant collection and you'll most likely be pleased with your opportunity to get off the main drag and sit in a shady spot in the hot summer. read more

A nice little museum, rumored to be haunted. Of course most of you reading this may not be interested in the supernatural, but I certainly am. A great fun, creepy place to visit while in Georgetown. It's also the oldest building in DC. P.S. But if you ARE interested in ghosts, look this place up. It's in just about every haunted directoy there is. read more

The main draw here is that it is one of the touristy historic things in Georgetown. It's the only pre-revolutionary building in the area. Really a pretty garden you can meander through. Looking at how low the ceilings are and how small of an area people lived in really makes you realize how good we have it now. Plus air conditioning! Otherwise Georgetown is shopping. read more

Old curiosity shoppe historic site that's free and has randomnities like hand made soap and pretty hand made jewelry. History is like air conditioning--it's great when it is accessible and central. There are multiple stories to this little stone house and the stairs will reinforce that the average height of a dude was 5'7". You'll see the children's room which harkens back to a simpler time when a wooden ball on a wooden stick was an actual toy that could entertain kids for ostensibly hours. You'll also see a stove that will indicate the harshness of life when everything had to be worked for and earned. No 7-11s in the 18th century. If you're in Georgetown, this is a must stop and see. It'll take maybe 20 minutes and you won't regret the choice. read more

It's the greatest old stone house in the world, Well not really ,its a dum Little house that was a car dealership for ramblers in the 1960's, that's what my father told me at some point they turn it into a Historical building why? My guess is it's just old really old . How old is it? Moses his grandfather used to live there with his mom and dad , how old is it? Jurassic Park brought back memories How old is it? Its first Christmas was the first Christmas! read more

BACKYARD IS A GARDEN OASIS Due to the timing of our approach, the little building was already closed which left us to merely wander the backyard area (free and easy to enter). If it gives you any idea, as soon as we stepped onto the path, we passed a young couple obviously taking engagement photos--this place is that sort of pretty. NOT THAT BIG OR VARIED BUT... We're not talking about a Botanical Garden with signage explaining the different flora--but there was still something simple and delicate about the scene with each flower still grabbing attention. We passed more photographers with their lens pushed into the bushes. The space back there is also bigger than expected--more narrower--but definitely not a maze. It was just cool and nice break to see this much space dedicated to greenery amidst Gerogetown shops. read more

Like the first review said, I totally passed by the place at first thinking it was a private residence when I saw someone having a photo shoot at the park. Then, seeing some tourists (SLR cameras hanging by the neck, pamphlets in hand) walking into the place, I decided to go in as well. It's an adorable little historic house and a just as small gift shop. Unfortunately, the next time I went back the place was closed with NO explanations (just a regular weekday). But the good thing was the park's gate is always opened so if you ever get tired from window shopping around Georgetown it's nice to rest and look at some pretty flowers planted in the garden. read more

Great little neighborhood park with perennial flower gardens and sitting benches. More of a reflecting environment than a play one so keep that in mind if children are involved as they cannot really get wild here to easily without causing some damage. read more

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3.5 stars. Having lived in Woodley park for 15 months I naturally found myself around here quite often as I showed family and friends the immediate areas nearby within walking distance. Having relocated to Friendship Heights I do not come as often to Gtown but upon revisiting the neighborhood for the first time in a while, I was reminded of the peaceful little house that provides shelter from the hustle and bustle of the shopaholics on M Street. Nothing fancy, just a peaceful place to rest your feet. But appreciated just the same. read more

The Old Stone House is the oldest unchanged building in Washington DC, and was built in Pre-Revolutionary America. It's located at 3051 M Street, Northwest in Georgetown. It is surrounded by shops and restaurants. The Old Stone House was purchased by the Federal Government in 1953, and turned into a National Park. The house, built in three phases starting in 1765, is considered to be a fine example of vernacular architecture. The first floor of the house is constructed of blue granite and fieldstone, and the walls are two to three feet thick. The stones are held together with sand, lime, ash, and water. The kitchen fireplace is large enough to heat the entire house. The second floor is made of brick and has a dining room, bedroom, and parlor. The third floor, also constructed of brick, is three children's bedrooms. The house is currently being renovated so I was not able to go onto the property. It will reopen in December 2018. At that time there will be park rangers who will give tours to guests seven days a week from 11:00am to 6:00 pm. I don't believe there is a charge to enter the house. Anyone who enjoys American history and architecture would enjoy seeing The Old Stone House. Right now, I would give the house one star since it's under construction. I visited on Saturday, April 28th. read more

We went two consecutive days (a Monday and a Tuesday afternoon) and both times there was a sign on the door that said "back in 30", with no notation as to what time the note was left. On both occasions we hung around for as long as we could, but no one ever showed up. read more

This is one of my favorite places in Georgetown. I enjoy the noise and excitement of Georgetown as much as anyone, but when you just want a few quiet minutes while hanging out on M street, Old Stone House is a hidden oasis. Most people probably pass it thinking it is a private residence, I know I did. But my friends and I bought some sandwiches from Wiseys up the street and had a picnic on the grass. You have to pass through a white picket fence to the right of the actual house. You'll find a narrow, very well maintained park with plenty of seating and a great small town vibe. I don't know how much of a secret this place is. Obviously more so than I thought since I'm the first reviewer. read more

This a very quaint place. It's a shame that it's the only pre-Revolutionary place still standing in DC but that makes it all the more worth seeing. It has a great vibe to it, without trying to be anything more than a home, it emulates a certain magnificence. The garden in the back is also beautiful! read more

Compared to the other parts of Georgetown, this place is a relaxing spot. Take a break from all the walking or have a picnic here, you'll like it :D read more

Really cool place to visit and get the authentic feel if life in DC area in the 17th century. Free admission. Gift store on first level.