Embassy Row & Dupont Circle: Gilded Age History Small-Group Tour

Overview

Before it was the cosmopolitan heart of DC, Dupont Circle was a wasteland transformed by "Boss" Shepherd’s corrupt politics and the staggering wealth of the "Nouveau Riche." Join us for a walking journey through the Gilded Age, where we strip back the marble facades of DC’s most iconic mansions to reveal the scandals within. From the "smart set" of Embassy Row to the tragic curse of the Hope Diamond, you’ll learn how the city’s elite reinvented themselves—and sometimes lost everything—in the quest for social dominance. Highlights The Beer Baron’s Castle: Visit the Heurich House, the city’s first fireproof home, built by the man who survived "Death" and Prohibition. The Hope Diamond Curse: Stand before the Walsh-McLean House and hear the tragic tale of Evelyn McLean’s "cursed" fortune. Diplomatic Intrigues: Explore the Larz Anderson House, a 50-room palace designed for the most exclusive 12 weeks of the year. Secret Doors & Scandals: Pass by the O Street Mansion’s 100+ secret doors