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Two Historic Houses for Your Next Event
PC: Maggie Morris PC: Patty Betts PC: BOB Photo PC: Jennefer Wilson, Alison Heffington PC: Kate Ann Photography PC: Jasmine Yab Photo PC: Lauren Ahn Photography PC: Ashley Cox Photography PC: Jess Latos SEND AN EVENT INQUIRY Audiovisual Services About Our Campus The Meridian House and the White-Meyer House , headquarters of Meridian International Center, are examples of residential jewels designed by renowned architect John Russell Pope, who also designed the Jefferson Memorial, the National Gallery of Art (West Building) and the National Archives.
The houses are adjacent and surrounded by beautiful historic gardens, forming a city block of significant architectural interest. Each house provides a unique, unmatched venue for your next event, whether it be a corporate training or conference, a wedding, a special event, or a reception. Meridian House is considered by many to be the finest example of French architecture in the United States. Designed by architect John Russell Pope, Meridian is surrounded by elegant stone walls sheltering a grove of linden trees and lush gardens.
Photo by Stacey Vaeth Photography The gallery is the first room entered from the main staircase and features many of the home’s original furnishings. The room’s mirror-paneled walls, giving the room even more openness, makes it an ideal reception area for guests with easy movement to the other rooms. Photo by David Co Photography. The Loggia is a beautiful oval sunroom that leads to the Linden Grove. During favorable weather, the doors may be opened and guests move easily between the indoor and outdoor function areas.
Photo by Stephen Bobb Photography Beautifully landscaped gardens on the west side of the property are a beautiful and serene setting for wedding ceremonies. The garden is in full bloom late April through mid-October. Photo by Audra Wrisley Photo Arts An antique dining table, original to the property, seats up to 30 guests, and is suitable for intimate corporate dinners and roundtable discussions. Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian The Linden Grove features 40 linden trees donated by the French Ambassador to Meridian’s builder and original resident, Ambassador Irwin Boyle Laughlin.
Today, this lush setting provides an outdoor entertaining experience unlike any other in Washington. Photo by Stephen Bobb The loggia’s french doors with arched windows serve as an excellent backdrop for a wedding ceremony held inside with a view of the linden trees and Meridian House’s stone water feature. Photo by Emily Alyssa Photography. A grove of 80-year-old spanish linden trees provides a unique setting for cocktail receptions and wedding ceremonies.
Photo by Anna Meyer Photography. Each room in Meridian House features a fireplace with mantels trimmed in intricate 18th-centruy french design. Photo by Kimberly F. Denn. Like the gallery and dining room, the drawing room features valuable 18th-century European paintings framed in decorative mouldings and installed by Ambassador Laughlin above each of the French Doorways. The room, once decorated with a vast collection of antique furniture and art is now a main gathering place for high-level lectures, receptions and meetings.
Photo by Kelly Prizel. The linden trees provide an excellent canopy for events in the spring and summer months, offering a significantly cooler environment for guests to congregate and socialize throughout events. Photo by Kelly Prizel. The Library seats up to 50 guests and adjoins the Drawing Room to provide seating for up to 150 guests. Photo by Meg Laffey Photography History of Meridian House Outdoor Entertainment at Meridian House Standing the test of time, Meridian House is still considered by many to be the finest example of French urban architecture in the United States.
Surrounded by walls sheltering a formal garden well known for the grove of more than 40 European linden trees that shade a large pebbled courtyard, it is an elegant setting for private social or business events. Meridian House has been featured repeatedly in national publications, including Washingtonian, Engaged, and Modern Bride. In 1929, Meridian House was described by Architectural Forum as, “Perhaps as fine a piece of work of its kind as this country can show...Certainly the manner of this house has not in this country been better done, not only in terms of stylistic authenticity, but in terms of pure architecture, meaning good taste in selectivity, in elimination, in execution.
It cannot, from its nature, do otherwise than set a standard which should endure permanently.” Guests are welcomed by the Latin inscription “Quo habitat felicitas nil intret mali,” which graces the entrance to Meridian House and translates to “Where happiness dwells, evil will not enter.” Highlights of the well-appointed home include some of the finest artwork in the nation, namely a seventeenth-century Mortlake tapestry and family portraits painted by Philippe de Lazlo.
Meridian House also boasts a two-story foyer for grand entrances, Waterford crystal torchieres, and French doors along the entire south side of the home that open out into the Linden Grove – a breathtaking pebbled courtyard where foliage from 40 imported linden trees form a natural canopy from mid-May through October. Meridian House is surrounded by two acres of distinctive urban gardens enclosed behind private walls.