National Historic Landmark-John Brown House

Built 1786-88, this large, three-story, brownstone-trimmed, brick mansion was designed by the noted colonial architect, Joseph Brown, for his brother John, who had grown rich in the profitable China trade.

The house is a perfect example of late-Georgian-early-Federal design. John Quincy Adams was so impressed by the house that he called it the most magnificent and elegant private mansion that I have ever seen on this continent.

Courtesy National Park Service National Historic Landmarks

Photo courtesy Library of Congress Historic American Building Survey