Formerly known as Cleveland Abbe House, the Arts Club of Washington Building was the residence of Cleveland Abbe, the father of the United States Weather Bureau. Prior to this, the town house also served as the home of James Monroe during his term as Secretary of State and War under the Madison Presidency and during the first 6 months of his own term as the President in 1817.

Abbe bought the house upon moving to Washington DC and lived in it from 1877 to 1909. After his death in 1916, the house was sold by his family to the Arts Club of Washington which has been using it for almost a century.

Today, it is open to the public from Tuesday to Friday and on Saturdays. Visitors can walk through its 3 major public galleries, watch weekly concerts, and enjoy literary evenings.