Old Stone House

How can one review a historical site? There is history being told, it's free, and there is plenty of artifacts for show. Upstairs is closed off and there is a healthy large gift shop right behind the entrance. It's not gimmicky but is it a pleasant shock to see a historical site continuing to survive against the tide of $$$$ Georgetown development. There is a fun height ruler showing the height of prominent historical figures. The most fascinating observation is how well insulated this Old Stone House. There is actually little to no noise from the outside once you are inside despite the entrance being a dozen feet from the street. This may be the closest fabrication to a historical time machine as you can get.

Quaint old house in the middle of Georgetown. Looks great from the outside but was unfortunately closed when I was there (sign said closed Tues-Thurs).

Waiting to get into Crumbs and Whiskers, we found the Old Stone House. Pretty cool little place. Oldest house in DC, and although it's rumored, George Washington did not sleep here. Inside they have a little gift shop and 1 old room. There was lots of information to read about the history. Out back, they have a nice tiny park with some flowers and vegetation. Halfway mIntained, with a few benches and photo ops. In the middle of a bustling Georgetown, it's well in walking distance to many of the stores and restaurants. Free, so a good place to kill some time.

If you ever find yourself in Georgetown, I highly recommend a quick stop at the Old Stone House—not just for its fascinating pre-Revolutionary War history, but also for the chance to enter through the gift shop and experience the effort that’s been put into making it feel welcoming, rather than outdated. I noticed a peaceful scent as I moved from room to room, and a young man who worked there named Alberto explained that they use essential oils to gently eliminate the musky smell that often deters visitors. When I was there, the fragrance was a calming blend of lavender and lemongrass, which reminded me of the scents found in certain historic religious monasteries in Jerusalem. He said they will switch to the cherry blossom scent soon. It’s refreshing to visit a place where the staff genuinely cares about the space. I also love the expansive backyard, where you can relax on a bench and enjoy the sun in the afternoon. It’s a peaceful oasis tucked away in one of Georgetown’s busiest streets.

We did the Ghost walking Tour through George Town, this was a great experience. It kicked off at the old stone house and ended on the set of the Exorzist. Fun evening with great stories around some spooky buildings.

If you're a tourist and make time to visit Geaorgetown. There is alot of history in 5his one house. A quick 30-40detour worth it. But definitely not a destination.

Although it's one of the oldest structures in Washington D.C, the inside was underwhelming since it's smaller than expected, the second floor is crowded for some reason, and it was crowded. On the bright side, it sold some cherry blossom-themed souvenirs such as playing cards, stickers, and even pens.

Georgetown is an adorable area great for walking and shopping ! We were with our puppy for the day and found this super cool Old Stone House.. has a lot of great facts about the area and home itself. There was a great garden area in the back as well which fortunately enough we got to bring our dog back there for a quick stroll and a nice little run around. Quiet and cute! Benches to rest tired feet as well.

Not a lot to look at inside, so it makes for a quick stop. The inside has a gift shop and then 1 small room to view the fireplace and a few banners and a table display. It's a happy accident that this place was saved since it was believed George Washington stayed here, turns out he didn't, but we still have this original building from before our country was founded. The gardens outside are lovely!

A lot of buildings around here are historic. In Georgetown is the oldest. The Old Stone House is the oldest building built in the city and preserved in the original state. It has a small gift shop inside. There's a large garden outside. It appears to be the oldest building in the city. It was built in 1765, while it was in the then separate town of Georgetown. This was also believed to be a place visited by George Washington. Even though it was proven that it wasn't true, this building was still an important piece of history. This was saved from destruction because people thought Washington came here, and so it accidentally became a museum. It doesn't lake long to look at. The museum also has a nice garden that has benches and it a popular place for people to sit and read. It's also cool the admission is free. There's not a whole lot to see inside but it's interesting looking around and seeing what it was like being in this. It often closes for several months. Renovations often seem to occur regularly. The admission is free so that's more than enough reason to make a visit.

Georgetown is beautiful, and so is this cute, historic house in the middle of their gorgeous main street. The street itself is lined with restored historic buildings that now house high-end shops such as Aritzia, Lilly Pulitzer, Steve Madden, Kiehl's, Haagen-Dazs, Sprinkles, Free People, UBIQ and more. In the middle of all of these big-name stores stands this cute Old Stone House. What is this Old Stone House you ask? It's a home that was built in 1766 - currently the "oldest structure on its original foundation in D.C." Very cool! The website also says, "Although it is preserved for its architecture today, it was originally preserved through a case of mistaken identity and a desire to remember George Washington." You can walk inside for free while exploring this street, and it only takes a few minutes, as it's small (you'll probably have to duck to go inside!). Don't miss the cute park out back.

What percentage of people see this house when they're strolling around Georgetown but pay it no mind? Probably 95%. So what's so special about this building and why should you visit? From Wikipedia: Built in 1765, The Old Stone House is the oldest unchanged building in Washington, D.C., United States. It's part of Rock Creek Parkway and a registered historic place meaning there'll be a park ranger dude tending the site. It has a small gift shop and little park in the backyard where you can escape city life for a second. The powerlines streaming across the top of the park kinda take away from the serenity though. Is it worth a visit? Sort of. If you're around while it's open, might as well drop in because it's free and could literally take you 5-10 to see and read everything it has to offer. Bottom line is that it's pretty much just some real old building!

Old Stone House is nestled in Georgetown, and briefly mentioned in all of the tour guide books that I looked through when visiting Georgetown, so I figured to give this place a visit. My husband, our little girl dog and I came on a Tuesday, early evening. This house is made of mostly all stone and is the oldest building in DC, kept in it's original structure. The Old Stone House was building in 1765. The Old Stone House was used as a home and a shop for Christopher Layman, a cabinetmaker, and his wife, Rachel. In the 1950's, this was used as a car dealership and then eventually became a museum in the 1960's. During that time, pre Revolutionary architecture and furniture was on display for visitors to view. Since October last year, through this December, the Old Stone House has been closed for restoration and upgrading. However I did not know that when I came. The door on the 1st floor was open and I went on in (curiosity killed the cat). The house has 3 floors (the 3rd floor was an add on from the original owners) and was rather barren. But after finding out much later that the museum has been closed, it makes sense why everything was taken out. As I walked up and down the stairs, across the floor boards, everything just creaked. Ceilings are rather low and it just got hotter as I went up higher (heat rises). It would have been nice to have a tour of this place by a docent and see furniture, but it was still nice to see the structure and layout of this home. I am impressed how well kept the walls and floors were on this visit. Once this reopens, hopefully you will stop by and take a visit (and take some photos of the inside) and learn some history about the occupants and previous owners of this historical building.

The Old Stone House is a small museum, gift shop, and garden in the heart of Georgetown. It's run by Rock Creek Park and free for all to enter. The building itself is small, but its historical significance great. It's the oldest structure in the city still on its original foundation. The house is two levels and tiny. With reading through the exhibit, it may take 30 minutes to go through it all. There's then a small gift shop in the front to browse. Outside in the backyard is a long garden with several benches for reading. It's a great spot to get some respite from the city.

I stumbled upon here while walking along the store fronts in Georgetown. We decided to go inside because why not? The inside is very small and you walk on a downward slant BUT once inside there's a store and some information on the house, who lived there, etc. it's fun and a nice way to break up all the shopping. On a nice day, the back yard is fantastic. We walked around up there, sat down on one of the multiple benches and had a great time!

Historically, this is super cool. As a visitor during the hot summer days of June during a heat wave (96+), it was miserably hot. This is the oldest building in Georgetown, literally a stone house. Easy to find, on the main drag, it is a treasure that many people pass without realizing. They have it set up with some informational boards, and you are only allowed downstairs, but word is, they may be doing a serious upgrade to the visitor's experience soon. Lovely gift shop when you first walk in.

The most remarkable aspect of the Old Stone House may not be the house at all. I think it's actually the lovely garden behind the house! At the back there is a splendid little bench where you can park yourself and enjoy the sunshine, your lunch or even take a conference call. It's a serene little spot to momentarily escape the mania of M Street.

This is a little historical gem hidden in plain sight in Georgetown. I've probably walked by it 100 times, and finally walked in one day when a companion pointed it out. And I'm glad I did! This house is the oldest house in DC and dates back to 1765, pre-Revolutionary War! On the one hand, there isn't a lot inside - mostly just a sense of what the house looked like at the time. On the other hand, they have a timeline discussing the role this house and others nearby may have played in early America. You can also get a sense for what it might have been like to live there hundreds of years ago. Moreover, the park ranger there was an extremely nice and interesting woman who answered our many questions about the building and nearby historical sites. It's not a large place, but you can learn a lot from even just 20-30min walking around and talking to the ranger. It's also free, so quite the bargain. Definitely stop by as you walk through Georgetown and take a brief step back in time. :-)

The website for this historic site states that this humble old building "commemorates the daily lives of ordinary Americans who made this city, and this nation, unique". Other people know this House as a spot for public urination and other such illegal activities, right in the heart of Georgetown's bustling M street. There is a big, shady back yard, populated by Magnolia trees and rose bushes, and the rickety old fence that separates it from the sidewalk is never locked: go right in and make yourself at home. The last time I was here, my associate and I needed to kill some time before a class reunion on M street. We had our pockets stuffed with cans of Busch, and decided to visit this historic site in order to enjoy our beers in peace, before entering the hectic and expensive world that is Georgetown nightlife. There was a cement bench, a lush lawn, and a Bobcat presiding over a hole in the ground. A perfect place for your own little party...just remember to BYOB.

If you've spent any time in Georgetown, you' ve passed by this historic house a billion times. OK, maybe not a billion, but you get the idea. What you may not realize (well, I didn't know this) was that this is the oldest standing house in DC. It was built in the mid 1700's. Back then, what is now M Street was called Bridge street which was still a main street as far as road traffic. The Stone House was initially a residence, a clock store, and paint shop among other things. In nice weather, it is a great spot to hang out in the English gardens and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the bars and shops. Also, you can take a tour of the house with six rooms, all decorated in a colonial style.

A nice little museum, rumored to be haunted. Of course most of you reading this may not be interested in the supernatural, but I certainly am. A great fun, creepy place to visit while in Georgetown. It's also the oldest building in DC. P.S. But if you ARE interested in ghosts, look this place up. It's in just about every haunted directoy there is.

The Old Stone House is the oldest unchanged building in Washington DC, and was built in Pre-Revolutionary America. It's located at 3051 M Street, Northwest in Georgetown. It is surrounded by shops and restaurants. The Old Stone House was purchased by the Federal Government in 1953, and turned into a National Park. The house, built in three phases starting in 1765, is considered to be a fine example of vernacular architecture. The first floor of the house is constructed of blue granite and fieldstone, and the walls are two to three feet thick. The stones are held together with sand, lime, ash, and water. The kitchen fireplace is large enough to heat the entire house. The second floor is made of brick and has a dining room, bedroom, and parlor. The third floor, also constructed of brick, is three children's bedrooms. The house is currently being renovated so I was not able to go onto the property. It will reopen in December 2018. At that time there will be park rangers who will give tours to guests seven days a week from 11:00am to 6:00 pm. I don't believe there is a charge to enter the house. Anyone who enjoys American history and architecture would enjoy seeing The Old Stone House. Right now, I would give the house one star since it's under construction. I visited on Saturday, April 28th.

Going out of my way to visit this place, I wasn't quite sure what to expect with the mixed reviews on TripAdvisor. I'm so glad that I went through the hassle of traffic, parking, and trekking to catch a bit of history. I LOVED the kitchen, I can't believe what cooks of those times had to work with it's amazing they got anything done. The house is smallish, so it won't take you long to see and the artifacts are not tied to the house (with 1 noted exception) but it's a good free history lesson that gives you a better appreciation for modern conveniences. +1 star for being free!

We went two consecutive days (a Monday and a Tuesday afternoon) and both times there was a sign on the door that said "back in 30", with no notation as to what time the note was left. On both occasions we hung around for as long as we could, but no one ever showed up.

Old curiosity shoppe historic site that's free and has randomnities like hand made soap and pretty hand made jewelry. History is like air conditioning--it's great when it is accessible and central. There are multiple stories to this little stone house and the stairs will reinforce that the average height of a dude was 5'7". You'll see the children's room which harkens back to a simpler time when a wooden ball on a wooden stick was an actual toy that could entertain kids for ostensibly hours. You'll also see a stove that will indicate the harshness of life when everything had to be worked for and earned. No 7-11s in the 18th century. If you're in Georgetown, this is a must stop and see. It'll take maybe 20 minutes and you won't regret the choice.

BACKYARD IS A GARDEN OASIS Due to the timing of our approach, the little building was already closed which left us to merely wander the backyard area (free and easy to enter). If it gives you any idea, as soon as we stepped onto the path, we passed a young couple obviously taking engagement photos--this place is that sort of pretty. NOT THAT BIG OR VARIED BUT... We're not talking about a Botanical Garden with signage explaining the different flora--but there was still something simple and delicate about the scene with each flower still grabbing attention. We passed more photographers with their lens pushed into the bushes. The space back there is also bigger than expected--more narrower--but definitely not a maze. It was just cool and nice break to see this much space dedicated to greenery amidst Gerogetown shops.

3.5 stars. Having lived in Woodley park for 15 months I naturally found myself around here quite often as I showed family and friends the immediate areas nearby within walking distance. Having relocated to Friendship Heights I do not come as often to Gtown but upon revisiting the neighborhood for the first time in a while, I was reminded of the peaceful little house that provides shelter from the hustle and bustle of the shopaholics on M Street. Nothing fancy, just a peaceful place to rest your feet. But appreciated just the same.

What a beautiful little piece of history to have right in the heart of Georgetown. This is the oldest pre-Revoluntionary War home built in the DC metro area circa 1766. How cool to have gotten to explore this and learn about it. The park ranger on duty gave us the run down of the stone house came about.... It was originally a husband and wife's home. The husband died, and the widow took procession. Once the woman remarried, her new husband made her sell the property to a second widow who then lived in the property for an additional 20-30 years and added on to the original 1 story dwelling. Once that widow passed, her daughter then inherited the house and added an additional third story from the 2 story house that was added on by the previous owners. The first two stories are made of solid stone, and the top story of the house is made of red brick. You can the transitions of the add ons from the outside. There is a lot more to the story, but what it really boils down to is that during these days it was a rarity that women owned property. This is a great example of where the norm was broken. It was not illegal then for women to own property back then, but it was not really heard of either since typically the men were in charge of the money, property, and so forth. When you first enter is where the original house was. This room is large and is now the gift shop of the old stone house. When you proceed through the next door of the bottom floor is where you come into the kitchen. This is where the slaves would cook the meals and spend a great deal of the time. You from there ascend some stairs that lead you to the second story. During the 2nd owner's time, guests would enter from the second floor and where the would converse. There was actually a dumbwaiter from the kitchen to the 2nd floor for meals to be delivered so the slaves would not actually have any interaction really with the guests. The 2nd floor holds a dining room and what seems to be 2 bedrooms. One of the bedrooms could have been used as a room for daily function more so than a bedroom, however, they're set up to be bedrooms. In the dining room, the grandfather clock is the only original piece to the house. Everything else are reproductions and staged to show how the house could have looked during this time. Once you go to the top floor, they had the room staged as a children's room. Nothing much else is up there besides some toys and a straw bed. Still, it is pretty neat to think about how this was during that time period. There is also a closet in this room. During this time period, your wealth was based on how many closets you had in the house. They used to have a closet tax back during the Revolutionary period. If you had closets, they were considered extra rooms despite how small they were. Only after a certain time did they abolish the tax. But can you imagine getting taxed on having closets in your house? I know I would be broke paying on them if that was the case. There is a beautiful side park beside old stone house. This area used to be used for cattle, pigs, and such. The garden itself is an Old English garden. Not something you would have found back during this period. This area was used more for necessity than for leisure. The old stone house was given to the federal government in the 1950s. From there, they preserved the house and put it on the National Registry for Historic Places. They're the ones who put in the beautiful garden that we can now enjoy and walk through. They have all different sorts of flowers in the garden. I really enjoyed the small white roses they had in bloom. It is definitely worth checking out. It is wonderful that the building has stood around for so long and has endured the elements.

Really cool place to visit and get the authentic feel if life in DC area in the 17th century. Free admission. Gift store on first level.

This a very quaint place. It's a shame that it's the only pre-Revolutionary place still standing in DC but that makes it all the more worth seeing. It has a great vibe to it, without trying to be anything more than a home, it emulates a certain magnificence. The garden in the back is also beautiful!

Compared to the other parts of Georgetown, this place is a relaxing spot. Take a break from all the walking or have a picnic here, you'll like it :D

Leave your gun at home - you can't bring it to the Old Stone House, as per the sign. Thank goodness I wasn't strapped that day, otherwise I wouldn't have found this charming little grassy oasis in the midst of all the hustle and bustle on M St. I walked by it initially - it's really easy to miss - but came back since we were looking for a place to sit and enjoy the freakishly nice February weather. The park is essentially the backyard of the Old Stone House, and interestingly, the house itself is one of the oldest structures in DC. A little stone path area leads you to the grassy area with a few benches shaded by some trees. The area is stroller, family and date friendly - lots of young couples intimately sharing fro-yo, and plenty of space for kids to safely run around. There aren't any frills or bells and whistles here, but that is what's so darling about it - a little taste of an enduring slice of history.