Old Korean Legation Museum

Old Korean Legation Museum
Old Korean Legation Museum in 2022
General information
Architectural style	Victorian
Location	15 Logan Circle NW (1500 13th Street NW) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Coordinates	38°54′37.3″N 77°1′47.4″W / 38.910361°N 77.029833°W / 38.910361; -77.029833
Completed	1877
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Thomas M. Plowman
Designations
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
Designated	June 30, 1972
Part of	Logan Circle Historic District
Reference no.	72001426
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
Designated	November 9, 1994
Part of	Greater Fourteenth Street Historic District
Reference no.	94000992

The Old Korean Legation Museum (Korean: 주미대한제국공사관) is a historic house museum located at 15 Logan Circle NW (also listed as 1500 13th Street NW) in the Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Built in 1877 as a residence for military officer and politician Seth Ledyard Phelps, the house served as the legation for the Joseon kingdom followed by the Korean Empire from 1889 to 1905 when Japan took control of Korea's government. The building was sold in 1910 for $10 (equivalent to $330 in 2023) and later served as a recreation center for African Americans, trade union hall, and private residence.

To many Koreans, the building was a reminder of Japan's forceful takeover of their country and the Korean loss of sovereignty. Following decades of offers from Koreans, the property was sold by its longtime owners in 2012 to the South Korean government's Cultural Heritage Administration and National Trust for the Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Korea. After undergoing a multi-year, multi-million dollar renovation, the Old Korean Legation Museum was opened in 2018. The Victorian style museum, which features a library, banquet hall, and small garden, is a contributing property to the Logan Circle Historic District and Greater Fourteenth Street Historic District.