Photo credit: Courtesy of John Hanshaw
The Arts Club of Washington transformed into President James Monroe’s temporary executive mansion, transporting guests back to the Federalist Era for an evening of historically immersive holiday celebration. The Washington Forum’s Holiday Fête with President James Monroe delivered an enchanting journey to 1817, when the White House underwent repairs following British depredations during the War of 1812.
The venue itself carried particular historical significance. Located at 2017 Eye Street NW, the Arts Club of Washington served as the perfect stand-in for Monroe’s actual temporary residence during his early presidency. The event’s premise referenced this authentic historical moment, when the newly-elected president maintained residence at this very address while awaiting the White House’s restoration. This attention to historical detail exemplified The Washington Forum’s commitment to bringing the past alive through thoughtfully curated experiences.
Melissa Galvez
Period attire was enthusiastically encouraged, offering guests the opportunity to fully embrace the Regency aesthetic that defined the era. Guests gathered in long regency-era gowns, tailcoats, and top hats. The evening featured “victuals” and refreshments befitting a presidential gathering of the period, alongside the opportunity to mingle with an impressive roster of historical figures. Distinguished guests included Thomas Jefferson, inventor, author, and third president of the United States; Dolley Madison, Washington’s most celebrated hostess and wife of president James Madison; Benjamin Franklin, founding father and signer of the Declaration of Independence; Queen Marie-Louise Christophe of Haiti; actress and writer Fanny Kemble; and first president George Washington himself. Guests were encouraged to mingle with the costumed historical figures throughout the night.
John Hanshaw and Melissa Galvez
The event extended beyond entertainment, embracing the season’s spirit of generosity through support for World Central Kitchen, Chef José Andrés’s organization providing meals to those facing humanitarian crises worldwide. This modern philanthropic element bridged past and present, and encapsulated the spirit of giving. Above the main floor, guests explored the Arts Club’s festively curated rooms and salons, featuring art from local artists adorning the walls, and a towering Christmas tree. The Arts Club functions as an active museum with multiple gallery spaces, displaying both contemporary works from rotating monthly exhibitions and pieces from their permanent collection. The MacFeely Gallery features stained glass alongside works of art, while the Spilsbury Gallery and Monroe Gallery showcase diverse artistic expressions throughout the historic mansion’s walls. The fête offered ample time for guests to take in the Arts Club’s elegant spaces, engage with historical interpreters, and experience the convivial atmosphere that characterized Federalist-era Washington society.
