Renowned architect John Russell Pope designed the house and completed it in 1912. Henry White, an American diplomat and a retired ambassador to Italy and France, purchased the property in 1910. He hosted premier diplomatic salon during his stay, inviting well-known guests, including
Georges Clemenceau,
Robert Cecil,
Henry Cabot Lodge and President
Warren Harding. In 1917, Henry White lent the house to the French mission of Marshal
Joseph Joffre to use as its headquarters. While the French flag flew outside of the residence, Marshal Joffre used the house to host high-level strategic meetings. Many policy meetings were had at the dining room table, including conversations that led to the establishment of the
U.S Department of Health,
Education and Welfare. When Henry White died, the house was passed on to his son
John Campbell White. Financier
Eugene Meyer rented the home while he was
Chairman of the Federal Reserve (1930–1933), after which he bought the bankrupt
Washington Post at auction. In 1934, Meyer bought the house from White for $355,000. During their ownership of the home, the Meyers hosted many prominent guests, including
Eleanor Roosevelt,
John F. Kennedy,
Robert F. Kennedy,
Adlai Stevenson,
Thomas Mann,
Earl Warren and
Saul Alinsky. After the Meyers' deaths, the house became the property of the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation, which then leased the house to the
Antioch Law School Library. In 1987, Meridian International Center purchased the property. ==Timeline==