The House of the Temple certainly makes an impression, even before you walk in the door. Considered one of the city’s top architectural highlights, the landmark was modeled after the Tomb of Mausolus in ancient Halicarnassus (among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World). From the outside, its carved sphinxes and colonnades are hard to miss; inside, it features vaulted ceilings and ornate marble designs. Guided tours provide more information about Freemasonry and the building’s history, and include the chance to view its museum collections.
As the House of the Temple is free to visit, it’s easy to plan an independent excursion as part of your day out in DC.
The House of the Temple is located on 16th Street NW. If using public transportation, take the Red Line to Dupont Circle Station or the Yellow and Green Lines to U St./African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo Station; both are roughly a 10-minute walk away. The landmark is also served by the S1, S2, and S4 buses, and can be reached by taxi, bike, or on foot.
The House of the Temple is open Monday–Thursday, from 8am–5pm. Visitors are invited to explore via free, guided tours, which are held at 10am, 11am, 2pm, and 3:30pm. No tickets are required, and entry is free.
The House of the Temple wasn’t architect John Russell Pope’s only Washington, DC, masterpiece. Pope went on to design many of the capital’s other most celebrated landmarks, including the National Archives, the Jefferson Memorial, and the West Building of the National Gallery of Art. Architecture enthusiasts can plan their own sightseeing itinerary to discover his masterpieces.
