New Ukrainian Embassy complex is U.S. historic landmark (01/03/93)

New Ukrainian Embassy complex is U.S. historic landmark

by Eugene M. Iwanciw
UNA Washington Office

WASHINGTON - One of the earliest structures built in Washington, the meticulously restored, historically significant Forrest-Marbury House is an integral part of the newly constructed Forrest-Marbury Court. The exterior of the Forrest-Marbury House has been restored to reflect the Greek Revival Period based upon a Civil War-era photograph. The interior incorporates elements of the Federalist and Greek Revival Periods.

The remainder of the Forrest-Marbury Court complex is centered around and is architecturally compatible with the historical design and flow of the restored Forrest-Marbury House. All of the restoration work conforms to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Historic Preservation.

Forrest-Marbury Court's six levels feature a brick coachway leading to a landscaped courtyard and two spacious terraces with stunning views of the Potomac River and the Virginia Palisades.

Previously designated a Category I "building of great importance to the National Cultural Heritage" by the Joint Committee on Landmarks of Washington, D.C., Forrest-Marbury House is one of only six Category I buildings in private ownership in the District. (The others are the Octagon House built in 1800, Tudor Place built in 1815, St. John's Church built in 1815, the Decatur House built in 1818, and Union Station built in 1903. Publicly-owned Category I buildings include the White House, the Smithsonian Castle, the Supreme Court, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Washington Monument). It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 2, 1973.

In 1695, the parcel of land on which the Forrest-Marbury Court now rests was known as "New Scotland Hundreds" of Prince Georges County, Maryland. In 1752, the Maryland Provincial Assembly honored King George II of England by creating a town bearing his name, George Town (now Georgetown).

The lot was purchased in 1785 by Benjamin Stoddert for the sum of 1,000 pounds in gold and silver. In 1788, he contracted for the construction of a substantial "Gentleman's House" on the property. Gen. Uriah Forrest, a Revolutionary War hero and Stoddert's partner, was first to take up residence in the new house. During the time he lived there, the Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, decided that the new nation's capital should be along the Potomac River. They entrusted Gen. George Washington with the responsibility of selecting a suitable site.

Both Stoddert and Forrest had served as Washington's officers in the Revolutionary War, and Forrest had at one time been Washington's aide-de-camp. Because of this friendship, Washington asked these men to assist in securing agreements from the 19 original landowners of the area so the government could acquire their land for a capital city. These efforts culminated with an agreement in principle which was reached at the famous March 29, 1791 dinner hosted by Forrest at his home. Washington's diary for that date reads "dined at Col. Forrest's today with the Commissioner and others."

Thus, the Forrest-Marbury House is the site of one of the United States most significant historical events, the establishment of the federal city of Washington, D.C. With the selection of the nation's capital, development along the Potomac started to expand. Construction on the White House began in 1792, the Capitol Building in 1793, and Georgetown University in 1789.

On December 6, 1980, William Marbury, a Federalist and supporter of President John Adams, purchased Forrest-Marbury House for 2,250 pounds (about $5,850 at that time). A short time after Marbury took up residence in his new home, he became involved in one of the most, if not most, significant court cases in U.S. history.

On his last day in office, President Adams signed commissions naming 42 loyalists to his party as "Justice of the Peace" for the District of Columbia. The commissions were sent to the Secretary of State to be sealed and delivered. However, a number, including William Marbury's disappeared.

In 1803, Marbury filed suit against then Secretary of State James Madison demanding that his commission as Justice of the Peace be delivered. The case, Marbury vs. Madison was heard by Chief Justice of the United States, John Marshall. The Court ruled on behalf of the defendant, James Madison, on the grounds that Mr. Marbury's basis for filing was unconstitutional. This landmark case established the Supreme Court's power to rule on the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress and further confirmed this branch of the government's right of judicial review.

Francis Scott Key lived just one block west of Forrest-Marbury House when he wrote the national anthem. While the house in which Key lived is no longer standing, in 1987 Congress designated land immediately to the west of Forrest-Marbury Court as a park honoring Francis Scott Key. A private, nonprofit foundation is currently raising funds to construct an appropriate monument to Key and the anthem. "The Star Spangled Banner." Plans include the re-landscaping of the site and the display of a bust of Francis Scott Key along with a 15-star-and-stripe-flag (circa 1814).

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