Everyone knows that the US. President lives in the White House, but what about the Vice President? I had no idea. We had previously done some work for The Architect of The Capitol including making some full scale wood columns that could be used to cast stone columns for The White House.
We also had experience on three retired US Naval shipyards in Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, DC. The navy traditionally built housing for senior officers on base. They were often very substantial and comfortable mansions, and referred to as "Admiral’s Row”. This was such a house.
At Number One Observatory Circle, on the grounds of the United States Naval Observatory at 34th Street and Massachusetts Avenue NW, is the official residence of The Vice President of the US. It is a three-story Victorian-style mansion, originally built in 1893 to be the the home of the superintendent of the United States Naval Observatory.
Prior to 1974, US Vice President’s had to fend for themselves and seek their own housing. Congress changed that and converted this house to be the official residence of the Vice President.
The Naval Observatory has continued to operate as a research facility where scientists make observations of the sun, moon, planets and stars. The grounds provide security and privacy for the vice president. Personally, I would far prefer to live there than in The White House.
Vice President Dan Quayle and his wife Marilyn were living there in 1991 and Marilyn Quayle took on the project of beginning some well needed restoration. Mrs. Quayle was an absolutely charming and interesting person. When I first arrived there, I was taken by the normality, the family dog meeting me at the front door, the children’s field hockey sticks in the umbrella stand and a set of golf clubs at the bottom of the stairs.
The project consisted of some various interior restorations, new millwork and cabinetry. I had several occasions to be there and we were pleased to do what we could to bring the project to a successful completion.
