In the President’s Neighborhood: A Q&A with Decatur House’s Stewart McLaurin
Located mere steps from the White House, Decatur House was home to Commodore Stephen Decatur until his death after 14 months of residence in a duel. After his death it was the home of many, including both free and enslaved people. This National Trust Historic Sites is operated by the White House Historical Association (the Association).
Stewart McLaurin, the president of the Association since 2014, describes the home as “historic, architecture, and a witness to history” highlighting the role the site has played as it sits along Lafayette Square Park across from the White House.
For those unable to visit Decatur House in person, the Association’s website, has a full collection of research articles about the house and those that lived there, as well as a virtual tour of the historic slave quarters at Decatur House.
To dig deeper we asked McLaurin, a few questions about his love of history and what he connects to at Decatur House.
What first inspired your love of history?
As a young boy, I can vividly remember going with my grandmother to the state history museum in Raleigh, North Carolina, on many Saturdays and being captivated by the stories and people that shaped that great state of my birth. We would also walk down the street to the State Capitol and sit in the park and talk about all those who had worked in that building to make North Carolina a better state. I can cite those earliest memories of exposure to historical sites as foundational to my love of learning history.
What’s your earliest memory of experiencing a historic site?
In addition to those early days as a boy in North Carolina, I recall my fifth-grade class trip to Washington, DC. Behind my desk is a grainy black and white photograph of my class sitting on the Capitol lawn. I have vivid memories of visiting the Capitol, the White House, and Mount Vernon on that trip, and realizing the importance of place in better understanding the stages upon which American history has taken place.
photo by: White House Historical Association
Stewart McLaurin, the president of the White House Historical Assocation that operates Decatur House.
When people visit Decatur House, what do you want them to see, do, and feel while they are there?
I always encourage visitors to attend our free public tour of historic Decatur House. The tours take place on Mondays at 10:30 am and 1:00 pm and you can sign up on the Association’s website. Our tour guides take you through 200 plus years of Decatur House History and highlight the numerous people that have lived and worked at Decatur House. Although the tours highlight the famous occupants of the building, including Stephen Decatur, Henry Clay, and Martin Van Buren, we also share stories of many enslaved people like Charlotte Dupuy, James Williams, and Nancy Syphax.
photo by: Alex Green
View of the slave quarters at Decatur House.
What is your favorite part of your site?
My favorite part of the site is its place in the President’s Neighborhood. Decatur House was the very first private residence built on Lafayette Square, the park just North of the White House. It has stood as a witness to many historic events taking place nearby and its proximity to the White House is essential to its history. It has long served as a venue for dinners, social events, balls, and other important meetings. The Association is proud to be a steward of a historic building with such a rich history and connection to the White House itself.
photo by: Ron Blunt
View of Decatur House looking down towards the edge of Lafayette Park.
What project at the site is energizing you today?
Today, the historic slave quarters at Decatur House are the only existing slave quarters within sight of the White House. The Association continues to do research about the enslaved men, women, and children that lived and worked at historic Decatur House. Their stories have been important to research and currently, we are revamping the virtual tour for the space. This way, even if you can’t visit us in person, you can still learn about the history of our site.
