The Causeway (Washington, D.C.)
Encyclopedia
The Causeway, also known as the Tregaron, is a country house estate located in the Cleveland Park neighborhood of Northwest, Washington, D.C.
. The estate was designed by Charles A. Platt
and constructed in 1912. The original occupants, the Parmelees, lived at the estate from its construction until 1940. From 1940 to 1958 it was occupied by Joseph E. Davies
, who had served as the ambassador
for the United States
to Luxembourg, Belgium
, and the Soviet Union. Today the estate serves as a campus for the Washington International School
.
The entire estate totals 20.5 acres (82,960.6 m²) and a number of buildings in addition to the mansion including a carriage house, greenhouse, gardener's residence, and a Russian-style
dacha
, added during Ambassador Davies' years at the estate. In addition to the different architectural styles present in the estate, it is also notable for its landscape architecture. Architect Charles A. Platt utilized the natural characteristics in designing the estate; the mansion sits at the highest point and provides views of the city to the south, and the affluent Cleveland Park suburb to the north. Landscape features include bridges and retaining walls constructed of stone. Mostly notably, stone retaining walls line either side of the drive way as it enters the estate, and a large stone bridge which carries the driveway over a small stream, the causeway, serves as namesake of the property.
The mansion is a two-story brick building in the Georgian
style. In addition to the primary, central block of approximately 30 feet (9.1 m) by 170 feet (51.8 m), to the east is a one-story octagonal conservatory, and to the west is a two-story service wing, though not as tall as the central block. Additions performed in 1941 by Ambassador Davies included small additions to the service wing and other aesthetic improvements. Further revisions in the early 1980s were undertaken to convert the estate into a school. In 1945 the Davies added a dacha
, a Russian country home, to the estate. The dacha provides a view of Washington National Cathedral
. A farmhouse dating to 1890 sits at the edge of the estate and was converted to office space for the International School. A schoolhouse building was constructed in 1988 and designed to complement the existing buildings.
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....
. The estate was designed by Charles A. Platt
Charles A. Platt
Charles Adams Platt was a prominent artist, landscape gardener, landscape designer, and architect of the "American Renaissance" movement. His garden designs complemented his domestic architecture.-Early career:...
and constructed in 1912. The original occupants, the Parmelees, lived at the estate from its construction until 1940. From 1940 to 1958 it was occupied by Joseph E. Davies
Joseph E. Davies
Joseph Edward Davies was appointed by President Wilson to be Commissioner of Corporations in 1912, and First Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission in 1915. He was the second Ambassador to represent the United States in the Soviet Union and U.S. Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg...
, who had served as the ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
for the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to Luxembourg, Belgium
United States Ambassador to Belgium
In 1832, shortly after the creation of the Kingdom of Belgium, the United States established diplomatic relations. Since that time, a long line of distinguished envoys have represented American interests in Belgium. These diplomats included men and women whose career paths would lead them to...
, and the Soviet Union. Today the estate serves as a campus for the Washington International School
Washington International School
Washington International School is a coeducational international school for day students in grades pre-Kindergarten through 12...
.
The entire estate totals 20.5 acres (82,960.6 m²) and a number of buildings in addition to the mansion including a carriage house, greenhouse, gardener's residence, and a Russian-style
Russian architecture
Russian architecture follows a tradition whose roots were established in the Eastern Slavic state of Kievan Rus'. After the fall of Kiev, Russian architectural history continued in the principalities of Vladimir-Suzdal, Novgorod, the succeeding states of the Tsardom of Russia, the Russian Empire,...
dacha
Dacha
Dacha is a Russian word for seasonal or year-round second homes often located in the exurbs of Soviet and post-Soviet cities. Cottages or shacks serving as family's main or only home are not considered dachas, although many purpose-built dachas are recently being converted for year-round residence...
, added during Ambassador Davies' years at the estate. In addition to the different architectural styles present in the estate, it is also notable for its landscape architecture. Architect Charles A. Platt utilized the natural characteristics in designing the estate; the mansion sits at the highest point and provides views of the city to the south, and the affluent Cleveland Park suburb to the north. Landscape features include bridges and retaining walls constructed of stone. Mostly notably, stone retaining walls line either side of the drive way as it enters the estate, and a large stone bridge which carries the driveway over a small stream, the causeway, serves as namesake of the property.
The mansion is a two-story brick building in the Georgian
Georgian architecture
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United...
style. In addition to the primary, central block of approximately 30 feet (9.1 m) by 170 feet (51.8 m), to the east is a one-story octagonal conservatory, and to the west is a two-story service wing, though not as tall as the central block. Additions performed in 1941 by Ambassador Davies included small additions to the service wing and other aesthetic improvements. Further revisions in the early 1980s were undertaken to convert the estate into a school. In 1945 the Davies added a dacha
Dacha
Dacha is a Russian word for seasonal or year-round second homes often located in the exurbs of Soviet and post-Soviet cities. Cottages or shacks serving as family's main or only home are not considered dachas, although many purpose-built dachas are recently being converted for year-round residence...
, a Russian country home, to the estate. The dacha provides a view of Washington National Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral
The Washington National Cathedral, officially named the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. Of neogothic design, it is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world, the second-largest in...
. A farmhouse dating to 1890 sits at the edge of the estate and was converted to office space for the International School. A schoolhouse building was constructed in 1988 and designed to complement the existing buildings.