The Style
Washington Place, built 1839-40, is a
rare U.S. example of the English rowhouse
terrace with unified façade. While it
retains many Classical Revival features,
the building has also seen several
generations of updates, including an
oriel and a fourth-floor addition that
interrupts the original unifying
pediment. The row is on the National
Historic Register.The History
The first owner, who lived in the house
for a quarter of a century, was U.S.
Congressman Job Pierson. In 1870, the
Parmenter family bought the house for
$14,000. Lawyer-poet Franklin J.
Parmenter wrote “Welcome to
Dickens,” which appeared in
Harpers’ Weekly to celebrate Charles
Dickens’ 1867 visit to the U.S.
The Challenge
Although it contains many stunning
architectural features, the building is
in poor structural condition and needs
considerable work.Goals of rehabilitation
include:
- Maintaining the terrace’s
unified façade.
- Removing the fourth floor
addition and restoring the
pediment line.
- Restoring or rebuilding the
interior for use as an
owner-occupied dwelling with no
more than three units.
Contact Washington
Park Association for more
information.
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