When Benjamin Stoddert built
Halcyon House and named it after the Greek legend about a bird that brings calm
seas and peaceful days I am sure he hoped as much for his new home.
But alas this was not to be for Stoddert. Despite the fact, he was the first Secretary of the Navy in John Adam’s administration he was not to have calm or peaceful days.
Initially, Stoddert was a seafaring man, he established a shipping business that unfortunately fell on hard times. By the time he left his post as Secretary of the Navy in 1801 he found himself nearly destitute.
In 1813 he died broke. If trauma in life means one’s spirit lingers, it might be the reason Stoddert’s soul has decided not to leave the magnificent home he built.
But alas this was not to be for Stoddert. Despite the fact, he was the first Secretary of the Navy in John Adam’s administration he was not to have calm or peaceful days.
Initially, Stoddert was a seafaring man, he established a shipping business that unfortunately fell on hard times. By the time he left his post as Secretary of the Navy in 1801 he found himself nearly destitute.
In 1813 he died broke. If trauma in life means one’s spirit lingers, it might be the reason Stoddert’s soul has decided not to leave the magnificent home he built.
Halcyon House is located in
the Georgetown district of Washington, D.C. It is a lovely Georgian style
mansion that sits on a bluff overlooking the Potomac River.
The home was initially small and elegant. Stoddert had the renowned planner Pierre Charles L’Enfant design his terrace. The home’s garden was and is considered very beautiful.
The home was initially small and elegant. Stoddert had the renowned planner Pierre Charles L’Enfant design his terrace. The home’s garden was and is considered very beautiful.
In the years following
Stoddert’s death this home passed through several hands. Some state this
is because Stoddert’s ghost often made appearances during this time.
His figure was seen standing at windows looking out. Many witnesses described a man that fit his appearance--a short, stout man, older and balding. He sometimes was seen sitting in a favorite Captain’s chair in the home.
His figure was seen standing at windows looking out. Many witnesses described a man that fit his appearance--a short, stout man, older and balding. He sometimes was seen sitting in a favorite Captain’s chair in the home.
In the mid-1800s during the
Civil War, the home’s basement, was connected to a tunnel that led to the Potomac
River. This tunnel was part of the Underground Railroad and was used to hide
runaway slaves who were headed north.
Legend states that some of these slaves died in the home’s basement. It appears their ghosts haunt this area for their cries and moans can be heard to this day. At the turn of the 20th century the entrance to this tunnel was walled up, but this did not stop the activity.
Legend states that some of these slaves died in the home’s basement. It appears their ghosts haunt this area for their cries and moans can be heard to this day. At the turn of the 20th century the entrance to this tunnel was walled up, but this did not stop the activity.
In the 1930s the home’s most
eccentric owner moved in. Albert Adsit Clemons* at best was a very odd sort--at worst some state he was mad.
It seems Clemons got the notion that as long as he added on to the house, he would never die. This irrational belief led him to build doors that opened to brick walls, rooms without walls, and a staircase that went nowhere.
During the time he owned the house he also adamantly refused to have the home wired for electricity. Needless to say, all this activity did not prevent his death in 1938. He did add on to the home’s square footage, but he left a floor plan that was a collection of odd mazes.
It seems Clemons got the notion that as long as he added on to the house, he would never die. This irrational belief led him to build doors that opened to brick walls, rooms without walls, and a staircase that went nowhere.
During the time he owned the house he also adamantly refused to have the home wired for electricity. Needless to say, all this activity did not prevent his death in 1938. He did add on to the home’s square footage, but he left a floor plan that was a collection of odd mazes.
After Clemons death, the
activity in the home increased. It seems his spirit joined Stoddert-- for both
men haunt the house.
The electricity, when installed, was erratic and has never worked correctly. Doors and windows are often found open, even when locked. One engraving that was hung on the wall would fall to the floor regularly. Footsteps and strange noises were often heard in the home’s attic.
The electricity, when installed, was erratic and has never worked correctly. Doors and windows are often found open, even when locked. One engraving that was hung on the wall would fall to the floor regularly. Footsteps and strange noises were often heard in the home’s attic.
In the early 1960s
Georgetown College acquired the land and turned the home briefly into a student
dorm. This further ruined the structure.
During this time Vice President Hubert Humphrey considered buying the home, but he decided against it—considering the cost and work needed to restore it.
During this time Vice President Hubert Humphrey considered buying the home, but he decided against it—considering the cost and work needed to restore it.
By far the most unusual activity reported happened in the 1970s.
This involved three separate occurrences of levitation that all happened in the second-floor master bedroom. A male tenant and then a female guest on different occasions both awoke to find that they were floating above the bed they slept in.
A couple around this same time who were caretakers for the home awoke in the same room to find that both their positions had been reversed—their heads were at the foot of the bed.
This involved three separate occurrences of levitation that all happened in the second-floor master bedroom. A male tenant and then a female guest on different occasions both awoke to find that they were floating above the bed they slept in.
A couple around this same time who were caretakers for the home awoke in the same room to find that both their positions had been reversed—their heads were at the foot of the bed.
In the 1990s Halcyon House was on many lists as the most haunted house in Washington D.C. But its most recent
owners who spent 16 years restoring the property claim to have never experienced
anything—but the many workmen that renovated it did…
Halcyon House went up for
sale in 2008. The home is not only restored to its original splendor –the
property has been further improved.
It has 30,500 square feet, which includes a new fourth floor with a studio. The home also has a library, chapel, three living rooms, and a ballroom.
Outside there is a pool and an adjacent townhouse that has six luxury apartments. The home’s original entryway still commands a spectacular view of the Potomac River, harbor and the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and Kennedy Center.
The Halcyon House is priced at 30 million dollars. The home is a historic site and has been used for many weddings.
It has 30,500 square feet, which includes a new fourth floor with a studio. The home also has a library, chapel, three living rooms, and a ballroom.
Outside there is a pool and an adjacent townhouse that has six luxury apartments. The home’s original entryway still commands a spectacular view of the Potomac River, harbor and the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and Kennedy Center.
The Halcyon House is priced at 30 million dollars. The home is a historic site and has been used for many weddings.
* Clemons belief is
similar to Sarah Winchester’s obsession for her home-- Winchester House in San
Jose, California. Albert Clemons was Mark Twain's’ nephew.
1 comment:
wonderfully informative.
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