BENJAMIN BROWN FRENCH

(1800 – 1870)

Known today for his extensive diaries covering the Civil War period, Benjamin B. French was a lawyer, Asst. and then Clerk of the House of Representatives (1833-47), company president, Commissioner of Public Buildings and Grounds under President Pierce (1853-55) and under President Lincoln (1861-67). He was a leading Freemason and the Benj. B. French Lodge #15, of Georgetown is this year celebrating its 150 th year. As an indication of his national reputation, when Benjamin B. French died on August 12, 1870, his obituary appeared on the front page of the New York Times.

Image Courtesy of: Library of Congress

Benjamin B. French School

545 7 th Street S.E.

Built 1860, rebuilt 1898

Architect: Snowden Ashford

Occupied by the U.S.M.C., 1904

Image Courtesy of: Sumner School Museum

School Plan

The Benjamin B. French School was rebuilt in 1898 as a manual training school. The floor plan clearly demonstrates the intended use of the school.

Image Courtesy of: Sumner School Museum

Capitol Hill Arts Workshop

The school building is now home of the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop

Image Courtesy of: Andrea Jefferson