Every American
house and family reflects both local and national conditions. Woodley,
because of its location and the extraordinary procession of prominent
families who have lived here, reflects more aspects of history than entire
towns. In fact, it is the contention of Maret’s Woodley Society*
that, with the exception of the White House, Woodley is the most historically
significant house in America. There are houses that are far more architecturally
prepossessing, far more beautiful, and far more interesting in terms of
their contents; however, no other private house in this country can boast
at least two Presidents, a Midnight Judge, two Secretaries of War, a Secretary
of the Treasury, a Secretary of State, a German baron, a Senator, an admiral,
and General George Patton, “Old Blood and Guts” himself.
