Katharine Graham’s Former Washington Home Vacant for 22 Years: A Look Inside
The historic Beall-Washington house, once a prominent hub of power and comity in Washington, D.C., has been sitting vacant for the past 22 years. The home, located at 2920 R Street in Georgetown, holds a rich history as the former residence of Katharine Graham, the renowned publisher of The Washington Post.
Throughout its illustrious past, the Beall-Washington house hosted distinguished guests such as President-elect John F. Kennedy, President-elect Ronald Reagan, Truman Capote, Princess Diana, Supreme Court justices, cabinet members, diplomats, financiers, and many others. It was a place where individuals from all walks of life came together to dine, debate, and form lasting friendships.
After Katharine Graham’s passing in 2001, the home was sold to Mark Ein, a venture capitalist and philanthropist, for $8 million. Initially, Mr. Ein had no intentions of residing in the grand estate, but after marrying Sally Stiebel in the garden in 2013, the couple planned to raise their family there. However, their renovation and expansion plans were met with resistance from neighbors and a review panel, leading to multiple rejections and ultimately causing the Eins to abandon their efforts.
As a result, the Beall-Washington house has remained empty, with its once-glamorous dining room now a symbol of a bygone era when bipartisan gatherings were common in the nation’s capital. The house stands as a reflection of the city’s shift towards political polarization, where private homes no longer serve as venues for bipartisan comradery.
Despite its current state of disrepair, the Beall-Washington house holds a significant place in the history of Washington, D.C., and serves as a reminder of a time when political differences were set aside in favor of shared dialogue and understanding. The future of this iconic residence remains uncertain, but its legacy as a symbol of unity and cooperation in a divided political landscape endures.