O Street Museum Foundation
Encyclopedia
Founded April 24, 1998, O Street Museum Foundation is a museum
which focuses on exploring the creative process. Located in the nation’s capitol, O Street Museum Foundation is housed in five interconnected town houses that includes over 100 rooms and 32 secret doors.
Among the pieces represented in the collection are works by sculptor Frederic Hart
, and Frederic Remington
, paintings by Kurt Wenner
,
architecture by Edward Clark
, signed scripts of the Academy Award winning trilogy Lord of the Rings, and over 60 signed new and vintage Gibson guitars
including guitars signed by Les Paul
, inventor of the electric guitar, The Eagles, Bob Dylan
, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
, Arlo Guthrie
, Emmylou Harris
, Paul Williams
, The Rolling Stones, U2
, Sean Lennon
, and J.D. Souther.
Additional plans to replace the side garden with an adjoining home for their sister and extended family never came to fruition, although the archway to her house was one brick away from “being there”.
Originally spanning three row houses, the residence was connected through the basement and main floor and contained separate sleeping quarters for each brother upstairs. As one of the last architects working on the U.S. Capitol between the 19th and 20th centuries, Clark incorporated left over tiles and wood from the Capitol into his new home — rich in detail, these items can still be found there today. A testament to the fine craftsmanship, it is believed to be the last, virtually intact, private residence of that period in Washington, D.C.
In the 1930s the home was converted into three separate rooming houses for FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover's
G-men
.
On February 14, 1980 the property was purchased by H.H. Leonards, with the intent to restore its original character by reconnecting the row houses.
In 1990, nearly a century after its original construction, she transformed the garden site into a five-story companion annex - completing the Clarks' dream.
Today, the property consists of more than 100 rooms of varying architectural, artistic and design periods, from the Victorian Age to the Art Deco
/Avant Garde
. Highlights include hand painted ceilings original Tiffany stained glass windows
, a two-story Log Cabin
and an Art Deco penthouse.
Current Artist-in-Residence - Ying Ming Tu
A visual artist who focuses on painting, documentary film making, and photography.
After serving in the Taiwan military as a bodyguard to Chiang Kai-Shek, Tu entered National Taiwan University and earned a BA degree in history. In early 80's, he came to the US to study film and television at UCLA,where he earned his MFA degree. His Mickey Mao series has shown in Taipei, Los Angeles and Belgium, and was well received by the public and critics alike
Open daily 11:00 am to 4:00 pm by reservation only
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
which focuses on exploring the creative process. Located in the nation’s capitol, O Street Museum Foundation is housed in five interconnected town houses that includes over 100 rooms and 32 secret doors.
Collection
The collection contains over 1,000 works and consists of diverse genres from all over the world including art, architecture, manuscripts, music, memorabilia, and literature. Visitors can listen to rare studio cuts, leaf through manuscripts and rare books, touch and explore art and sculpture, and tour through different architectural styles.Among the pieces represented in the collection are works by sculptor Frederic Hart
Frederick Hart (sculptor)
Frederick Elliott Hart was an American sculptor, best known for his public monuments and works of art in bronze, marble, and clear acrylic .-Biography:American master sculptor Frederick Hart is recognized for creating work that is at once traditional in its...
, and Frederic Remington
Frederic Remington
Frederic Sackrider Remington was an American painter, illustrator, sculptor, and writer who specialized in depictions of the Old American West, specifically concentrating on the last quarter of the 19th century American West and images of cowboys, American Indians, and the U. S...
, paintings by Kurt Wenner
Kurt Wenner
Kurt Wenner is an artist with an international following. He is best known for his invention of 3D pavement art. Wenner was inspired by anamorphic perspective, but had to invent an entirely new geometry in order to create his stunning 3D pavement art images.-Career:Kurt Wenner produced his first...
,
architecture by Edward Clark
Edward Clark (architect)
Edward Clark was an American architect who served as Architect of the Capitol from 1865 to 1902.Edward Clark was Thomas U. Walter's student, chief assistant, and successor. Prior to working with Walter, he had received training in freehand and mechanical drawing as well as engineering...
, signed scripts of the Academy Award winning trilogy Lord of the Rings, and over 60 signed new and vintage Gibson guitars
Gibson Guitar Corporation
The Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
including guitars signed by Les Paul
Les Paul
Lester William Polsfuss —known as Les Paul—was an American jazz and country guitarist, songwriter and inventor. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which made the sound of rock and roll possible. He is credited with many recording innovations...
, inventor of the electric guitar, The Eagles, Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
E Street Band
The E Street Band has been rock musician Bruce Springsteen's primary backing band since 1972.The band has also recorded with a wide range of other artists including Bob Dylan, Meat Loaf, Bonnie Tyler, Air Supply, Dire Straits, David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Stevie Nicks, Tom Morello, Sting, Ian...
, Arlo Guthrie
Arlo Guthrie
Arlo Davy Guthrie is an American folk singer. Like his father, Woody Guthrie, Arlo often sings songs of protest against social injustice...
, Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including...
, Paul Williams
Paul Williams (songwriter)
Paul Hamilton Williams, Jr. is an Academy Award-winning American composer, musician, songwriter, and actor. He is perhaps best known for popular songs performed by a number of acts in the 1970s including Three Dog Night's "An Old Fashioned Love Song", Helen Reddy's "You and Me Against the World",...
, The Rolling Stones, U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
, Sean Lennon
Sean Lennon
is an American singer, songwriter, musician, guitarist and actor. He is the only child of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. His godfather is Sir Elton John.-Early life and education:...
, and J.D. Souther.
Building History
Designed in 1892 by Edward Clark, architect for the US Capitol at the turn of the century, the building served as a home for himself, his extended family, and Champ Clark, Speaker of the House from 1911-1919 (during Teddy Roosevelt’s Presidency), a brother, known only as "the artist" and a sister.Additional plans to replace the side garden with an adjoining home for their sister and extended family never came to fruition, although the archway to her house was one brick away from “being there”.
Originally spanning three row houses, the residence was connected through the basement and main floor and contained separate sleeping quarters for each brother upstairs. As one of the last architects working on the U.S. Capitol between the 19th and 20th centuries, Clark incorporated left over tiles and wood from the Capitol into his new home — rich in detail, these items can still be found there today. A testament to the fine craftsmanship, it is believed to be the last, virtually intact, private residence of that period in Washington, D.C.
In the 1930s the home was converted into three separate rooming houses for FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover's
J. Edgar Hoover
John Edgar Hoover was the first Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States. Appointed director of the Bureau of Investigation—predecessor to the FBI—in 1924, he was instrumental in founding the FBI in 1935, where he remained director until his death in 1972...
G-men
G-Man (slang)
G-Man is a slang term for Special agents of the United States Government. It is specifically used as a term for a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent....
.
On February 14, 1980 the property was purchased by H.H. Leonards, with the intent to restore its original character by reconnecting the row houses.
In 1990, nearly a century after its original construction, she transformed the garden site into a five-story companion annex - completing the Clarks' dream.
Today, the property consists of more than 100 rooms of varying architectural, artistic and design periods, from the Victorian Age to the Art Deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
/Avant Garde
Avant-garde
Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics....
. Highlights include hand painted ceilings original Tiffany stained glass windows
Louis Comfort Tiffany
Louis Comfort Tiffany was an American artist and designer who worked in the decorative arts and is best known for his work in stained glass. He is the American artist most associated with the Art Nouveau and Aesthetic movements...
, a two-story Log Cabin
Log cabin
A log cabin is a house built from logs. It is a fairly simple type of log house. A distinction should be drawn between the traditional meanings of "log cabin" and "log house." Historically most "Log cabins" were a simple one- or 1½-story structures, somewhat impermanent, and less finished or less...
and an Art Deco penthouse.
Public Programs
O Street Museum hosts educational programs for all age groups to learn about and participate in the creative process. Programs are designed to explore all facets of creativity and include artist-in-residence programs, jammin’ (live music collaboration) and songwriters’ workshops and performances.Current Artist-in-Residence - Ying Ming Tu
A visual artist who focuses on painting, documentary film making, and photography.
After serving in the Taiwan military as a bodyguard to Chiang Kai-Shek, Tu entered National Taiwan University and earned a BA degree in history. In early 80's, he came to the US to study film and television at UCLA,where he earned his MFA degree. His Mickey Mao series has shown in Taipei, Los Angeles and Belgium, and was well received by the public and critics alike
Volunteers
As a non-profit corporation The O Street Museum operates without paid employees or paid board members. Everyone that works there is a volunteer.Hours of Operation
The Museum is located at 2020 O Street N.W. in the middle of 20th & 21st Streets. Less than a block from the Dupont Circle Metro Red Line — South ExitOpen daily 11:00 am to 4:00 pm by reservation only