Commandant's Office, Washington Navy Yard
Encyclopedia
The Commandant's Office in the Washington Navy Yard, also known as Building One, Quarters J, or the Middendorf Building is the U.S. Navy's oldest active office building, which historically housed the offices of the Commandant and other officers of the Washington Navy Yard
in Washington, D.C.
It sits at the south end of Dahlgren Avenue, the Yard's main road, two blocks south of the Latrobe Gate
near the Anacostia River
. It now serves as offices for the Naval Historical Center
. It was likely built from 1837 to 1838 and first appears on a map of the yard in 1842. In 1973 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
George Watterson described the building in 1842 in his New Guide to Washington as "a neat and beautiful building of brick, two-stories high, with verandas running all around it, has lately been erected as offices, for the officers and others doing business in this establishment." A trophy park just south of the building "consisted of a semi-circle of captured Naval cannons graduated from the center by size with other guns and stacks of round shot placed between this semi-circle and the office." The park was built before 1842 and eliminated about 1945.
Commandant John Adolphus Dahlgren, who was given command of the Yard just before the Civil War, gave up the Commandant's House where he had lived, for the use of the officers of the 71st New York Regiment. He then slept and dined in the room across from his office in Building One. President Abraham Lincoln
often visited Dahlgren at his offices, stating "I like to see Dahlgren. The drive to the Navy Yard is one of my greatest pleasures. When I am depressed, I like to talk with Dahlgren. I learn something of the preparations for defense, and I get from him consolation and courage."
In 1873 the building was renovated and expanded. In 1941 it became a post office and communications center, then in 1948 was remodeled to serve as officer quarters and renamed Quarters J. In 1976 the building became the Yard's visitors center and also housed the Navy Sea Cadets
. It returned to use as offices after a 1993 renovation.
Washington Navy Yard
The Washington Navy Yard is the former shipyard and ordnance plant of the United States Navy in Southeast Washington, D.C. It is the oldest shore establishment of the U.S. Navy...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
It sits at the south end of Dahlgren Avenue, the Yard's main road, two blocks south of the Latrobe Gate
Latrobe Gate
The Latrobe Gate is a historic gatehouse located at the Washington Navy Yard in Southeast Washington, D.C. Built in 1806 and substantially altered in 1881, the ceremonial entrance to the U.S. Navy's oldest shore establishment is an example of Greek Revival and Italianate architecture...
near the Anacostia River
Anacostia River
The Anacostia River is a river in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States. It flows from Prince George's County in Maryland into Washington, D.C., where it joins with the Washington Channel to empty into the Potomac River at Buzzard Point. It is approximately long...
. It now serves as offices for the Naval Historical Center
Naval Historical Center
The Naval History & Heritage Command is the official history program of the United States Navy and is located at the historic Washington Navy Yard in the District of Columbia.-Mission :...
. It was likely built from 1837 to 1838 and first appears on a map of the yard in 1842. In 1973 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
History
A building for officers' use at the Yard was first proposed in 1828 and is shown on a 1842 map. Though clear records of the construction have not been found, proposed improvements of $2,500 in 1837 and $2,000 in 1838 were made for a "Building for officers."George Watterson described the building in 1842 in his New Guide to Washington as "a neat and beautiful building of brick, two-stories high, with verandas running all around it, has lately been erected as offices, for the officers and others doing business in this establishment." A trophy park just south of the building "consisted of a semi-circle of captured Naval cannons graduated from the center by size with other guns and stacks of round shot placed between this semi-circle and the office." The park was built before 1842 and eliminated about 1945.
Commandant John Adolphus Dahlgren, who was given command of the Yard just before the Civil War, gave up the Commandant's House where he had lived, for the use of the officers of the 71st New York Regiment. He then slept and dined in the room across from his office in Building One. President Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
often visited Dahlgren at his offices, stating "I like to see Dahlgren. The drive to the Navy Yard is one of my greatest pleasures. When I am depressed, I like to talk with Dahlgren. I learn something of the preparations for defense, and I get from him consolation and courage."
In 1873 the building was renovated and expanded. In 1941 it became a post office and communications center, then in 1948 was remodeled to serve as officer quarters and renamed Quarters J. In 1976 the building became the Yard's visitors center and also housed the Navy Sea Cadets
United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps
The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps is a congressionally chartered, U.S. Navy-based organization that serves to teach individuals 13 to 17 years old about the sea-going military services, U.S. Naval operations and training, community service, citizenship, and an understanding of discipline and...
. It returned to use as offices after a 1993 renovation.