The Octagon House is a Federal house in Washington, District of Columbia, and a filming location for Inside a historic, haunted Washington, D.C. home (2025). Built in 1799, it was designed by William Thornton, and is a National Historic Landmark.
Location: 1799 New York Avenue NW, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Verified facts
- Located in Foggy Bottom, Washington
confidence 75/100 · 3 recorded source groups · SRC-1398, SRC-1399, SRC-3338 - Designed by William Thornton
confidence 70/100 · 2 recorded source groups · SRC-1400, SRC-1399 - Built in 1799
confidence 75/100 · 3 recorded source groups · SRC-1400, SRC-1398, SRC-3339 - Architectural style: Federal
confidence 80/100 · 5 recorded source groups · SRC-1400, SRC-1398, SRC-6184, SRC-6185, SRC-9586 - Historic designation: National Historic Landmark; National Register of Historic Places
confidence 75/100 · 3 recorded source groups · SRC-1400, SRC-1398, SRC-3339 - Appeared in Inside a historic, haunted Washington, D.C. home (tv, 2025) — as Featured subject (documentary-style news segment)
confidence 70/100 · 2 recorded source groups · SRC-17619, SRC-17620
Evidence & sources
- SRC-1398 — The Octagon House — Wikipedia (Tier 3, encyclopedia; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-1399 — Architects Foundation — The Octagon | History (Tier 1, official_site; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-1400 — National Register of Historic Places / NHL Inventory–Nomination Form — Colonel John Tayloe House (The Octagon) (Tier 1, official_archive; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-17619 — The Octagon Featured on CBS Saturday Morning — Architects Foundation (The Octagon Museum) (Tier 1, official building/museum owner site; retrieved August 2026)
- SRC-17620 — Inside a historic, haunted Washington, D.C. home — CBS Mornings (official YouTube) (Tier 2, broadcaster official video upload; retrieved August 2026)
- SRC-3338 — The Historical Marker Database (HMdb.org) — The Octagon marker (Tier 2, official_archive; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-3339 — DC Historic Sites (DC Preservation League) — Octagon House (John Tayloe House) (Tier 2, heritage_organization; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5434 — The Octagon — Architects Foundation (official operator) (Tier 1, official_institution; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5688 — Evendo — The Octagon Museum (Tier 3, tourism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5842 — National Park Service — The Octagon of Washington, D.C. (Teaching with Historic Places) (Tier 1, government; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5843 — Architects Foundation — Visit The Octagon (Plan Your Visit) (Tier 1, institutional; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-6184 — WhichMuseum — Octagon House (Washington D.C.) (Tier 3, museum directory; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-6185 — Wonderful Museums — Octagon Museum Washington DC (Tier 3, museum guide; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-9586 — Library of Congress, Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS DC,WASH,8-) — Octagon House, 1799 New York Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. (Tier 1, official_archive; retrieved June 2026)
Photos
How we verify
The entries above show the sources and confidence scores recorded in our fact ledger.
Source tiers are internal classifications, not guarantees of accuracy or independence.
Several sources may repeat the same underlying account; a source count alone does not establish independent corroboration. We show the
street address only for non-residential public landmarks (museums, commercial and civic buildings,
publicly documented filming-location sites); the exact addresses of private residences and any
personal information are structurally barred from publication. Last reviewed June 2026.
Plan Your Visit
Hours: Fri-Sat 11:00-16:00 (last entry 15:00); free guided tours offered. Operated by the Architects Foundation/AIA.
Admission: Adult $10; seniors/DC residents/students/teachers/AIA members/military $5; under 18 free
Frequently asked questions
How is The Octagon House connected to Inside a historic, haunted Washington, D.C. home?
The Octagon House, in Washington, District of Columbia, has a documented connection to Inside a historic, haunted Washington, D.C. home. Read the sourced facts on this page for the type of connection.
Can you visit The Octagon House?
Yes — The Octagon House is open to the public. Hours: Fri-Sat 11:00-16:00 (last entry 15:00); free guided tours offered. Operated by the Architects Foundation/AIA.. Admission: Adult $10; seniors/DC residents/students/teachers/AIA members/military $5; under 18 free.
Who designed The Octagon House?
The Octagon House was designed by William Thornton.
Where is The Octagon House located?
The Octagon House is located in Washington, District of Columbia.