IWalked Audio Tours
IWalked Washington D.C.' Organization of American States (OAS)
The current home of the Organization of American States (OAS) resides on what was formerly the most expensive mansion of its time. The owners of the mansion were John Peter Van Ness and his wife Marcia. Marcia came from a wealthy family and at the time of her marriage to John was actually the richest female in the United States (valued at $1.5 million). John, in turn, was a popular New York congressman who would go on to become mayor of Washington from 1830-1834.
In 1816 John and Marcia hired Benjamin Henry Latrobe, architect of the United States Capitol, to construct them a Greek Revival mansion. This mansion was said to emulate the White House and even contained the same number of columns along its front façade. The home also contained a first amongst all homes in that it allowed both cold and hot running water in every room.
The Van Ness family unfortunately did not maintain a happy existence within their new home for too long though. John and Mary’s first attempt at parenthood in 1822 ended in disappointment when their daughter Ann was stillborn. Marcia would pass away herself ten years later due to cholera and John died in 1846.
One tale that has been passed down regarding the former Van Ness mansion was its apparent role in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Reportedly one of the discussed plans for ridding the president was to kidnap him and hide him within the basement of Van Ness mansion. This tale has neither been confirmed nor disputed but does add a bit of intrigue to the mansion’s legend.
Returning to the present, the site of the former Van Ness mansion is now the headquarters of the O.A.S. (Organization of American States). The OAS is an international organization of thirty-five countries (technically thirty-four if you recognize the fact that Cuba’s status has been suspended since 1962) brought together “to achieve an order of peace and justice, to promote their solidarity, to strengthen their collaboration, and to defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity, and their independence.” It was originally created in 1889 at the First Internal Conference of America States which met in Washington D.C. The organization was re-named on a couple of occasions before finally being adopted as the OAS on April 30, 1948.
The headquarters for the OAS was made possible by a substantial donation by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie (who donated somewhere between $750,000 and $5 million based upon various sources). The marble palazzo was constructed in 1910 and integrated elements of both North and South America via its usage of white Georgia marble and black marble from the Andes.
The front façade of the building features three arched entrances and a high degree of decorative elements attached to its exterior. On the left side of the building (while facing the front entrance) is a statue said to represent South America who is holding a young boy. Above the sculpture is a relief titled The Meeting of Bolivar and San Martin (1910; Isidore Konti). Depicted within the panel is a recreation of a key moment in South American history in its attempt to free itself from Spanish rule. Here we see Simon Bolivar and Jose de San Martin shaking hands after their infamous meeting that occurred on July 26-27, 1822. And residing directly above this panel is a high relief representing the South American or Andean Condor looking largely like a black vulture.
On the right hand side of the OAS headquarters are a similar series of reliefs and sculptures. The sculpture of North America(1910; Gutzon Borglum) also features a woman that is standing next to a young boy. Above her is a relief titled Washington’s Farewell to His Generals. On the relief is General George Washington giving his final speech to his troops after the Revolutionary War. This scene is depicted as it said to have occurred at the Fraunces Tavern in New York City on December 4, 1783. Finally, just above the Washington relief is another winged tribute, this time in the form of an American Bald Eagle.
Borglum, who created all of the sculptures and reliefs along the North American side of the building, is best known for having created Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. He is also somewhat known for his sculpture of General Philip Henry Sheridan located within Christopher Park in New York’s Greenwich Village.
The most central work of art outside the entrance to the OAS Building is the 1966 sculpture dedicated to Queen Isabella I of Spain. The bronze sculpture stands twelve feet tall and was created by Jose Luis Sanchez. The queen dons long robes and the crown of Castille. In her hands, held out on front of her body, she clutches a pomegranate from which a dove appears to be emerging. The statue was dedicated on April 14, 1966 on what would have been the 475th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of America.
It was Queen Isabella who actually sponsored Columbus’ voyage. In order to pay for the expedition she was said to have had to sell some of her most prized jewels. Isabella was also known to have played a key part in the establishment of the Spanish Inquisition.
For more history regarding this site, including how you can visit this locale via one of our MP3 audio walking tours, check out our site here: iwalkedaudiotours.com/2012/09/iwalked-washington-d-c-s-or...
IWalked Washington D.C.' Organization of American States (OAS)
The current home of the Organization of American States (OAS) resides on what was formerly the most expensive mansion of its time. The owners of the mansion were John Peter Van Ness and his wife Marcia. Marcia came from a wealthy family and at the time of her marriage to John was actually the richest female in the United States (valued at $1.5 million). John, in turn, was a popular New York congressman who would go on to become mayor of Washington from 1830-1834.
In 1816 John and Marcia hired Benjamin Henry Latrobe, architect of the United States Capitol, to construct them a Greek Revival mansion. This mansion was said to emulate the White House and even contained the same number of columns along its front façade. The home also contained a first amongst all homes in that it allowed both cold and hot running water in every room.
The Van Ness family unfortunately did not maintain a happy existence within their new home for too long though. John and Mary’s first attempt at parenthood in 1822 ended in disappointment when their daughter Ann was stillborn. Marcia would pass away herself ten years later due to cholera and John died in 1846.
One tale that has been passed down regarding the former Van Ness mansion was its apparent role in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Reportedly one of the discussed plans for ridding the president was to kidnap him and hide him within the basement of Van Ness mansion. This tale has neither been confirmed nor disputed but does add a bit of intrigue to the mansion’s legend.
Returning to the present, the site of the former Van Ness mansion is now the headquarters of the O.A.S. (Organization of American States). The OAS is an international organization of thirty-five countries (technically thirty-four if you recognize the fact that Cuba’s status has been suspended since 1962) brought together “to achieve an order of peace and justice, to promote their solidarity, to strengthen their collaboration, and to defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity, and their independence.” It was originally created in 1889 at the First Internal Conference of America States which met in Washington D.C. The organization was re-named on a couple of occasions before finally being adopted as the OAS on April 30, 1948.
The headquarters for the OAS was made possible by a substantial donation by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie (who donated somewhere between $750,000 and $5 million based upon various sources). The marble palazzo was constructed in 1910 and integrated elements of both North and South America via its usage of white Georgia marble and black marble from the Andes.
The front façade of the building features three arched entrances and a high degree of decorative elements attached to its exterior. On the left side of the building (while facing the front entrance) is a statue said to represent South America who is holding a young boy. Above the sculpture is a relief titled The Meeting of Bolivar and San Martin (1910; Isidore Konti). Depicted within the panel is a recreation of a key moment in South American history in its attempt to free itself from Spanish rule. Here we see Simon Bolivar and Jose de San Martin shaking hands after their infamous meeting that occurred on July 26-27, 1822. And residing directly above this panel is a high relief representing the South American or Andean Condor looking largely like a black vulture.
On the right hand side of the OAS headquarters are a similar series of reliefs and sculptures. The sculpture of North America(1910; Gutzon Borglum) also features a woman that is standing next to a young boy. Above her is a relief titled Washington’s Farewell to His Generals. On the relief is General George Washington giving his final speech to his troops after the Revolutionary War. This scene is depicted as it said to have occurred at the Fraunces Tavern in New York City on December 4, 1783. Finally, just above the Washington relief is another winged tribute, this time in the form of an American Bald Eagle.
Borglum, who created all of the sculptures and reliefs along the North American side of the building, is best known for having created Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. He is also somewhat known for his sculpture of General Philip Henry Sheridan located within Christopher Park in New York’s Greenwich Village.
The most central work of art outside the entrance to the OAS Building is the 1966 sculpture dedicated to Queen Isabella I of Spain. The bronze sculpture stands twelve feet tall and was created by Jose Luis Sanchez. The queen dons long robes and the crown of Castille. In her hands, held out on front of her body, she clutches a pomegranate from which a dove appears to be emerging. The statue was dedicated on April 14, 1966 on what would have been the 475th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of America.
It was Queen Isabella who actually sponsored Columbus’ voyage. In order to pay for the expedition she was said to have had to sell some of her most prized jewels. Isabella was also known to have played a key part in the establishment of the Spanish Inquisition.
For more history regarding this site, including how you can visit this locale via one of our MP3 audio walking tours, check out our site here: iwalkedaudiotours.com/2012/09/iwalked-washington-d-c-s-or...