The Arts Club of Washington encompasses two adjoining historic buildings: the Cleveland Abbe House (also known as the Timothy Caldwell House and Caldwell-Monroe House) at 2017 I Street NW and the General Robert MacFeely House at 2015 I Street NW. They retain social, architectural, and institutional significance. The Abbe House is a National Historic Landmark.
Both properties have been associated with distinguished figures in American political, military, and social history. Most notably, James Monroe lived at 2017 I Street while a Cabinet member in the Madison Administration. He then lived here for several months in 1817 while president — prior to moving into the White House. From 1877 to 1909, this Federal style building was the home of Cleveland Abbe, a prominent meteorologist known as the father of the U.S. Weather Service.
Further, the Federal style Abbe House (constructed from 1802-06) and Victorian Eclectic style MacFeely House (c. 1860) are important examples of 19th century American architecture and design. Ownership by the Arts Club of Washington — which combined the homes in 1929 — has brought new significance to the property through association with an important Washington, DC cultural institution.
Cleveland Abbe House / Caldwell-Monroe House / Timothy Caldwell House (2017 I Street NW)
DC Inventory: November 8, 1964 (Joint Committee on Landmarks)
National Register: March 24, 1969
National Historic Landmark: May 15, 1975
General Robert MacFeely House (2015 I Street NW)
DC Inventory: May 18, 1983
National Register: September 15, 1989
Both buildings within George Washington University/Old West End Historic District
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