Washington, DC

On April 30, 2012, Ambassador Rao opened the doors of the Embassy Residence to welcome members of the Cleveland Park Historical Society (CPHS).

Around seventy members of CPHS gathered on the lawns of the Embassy Residence to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Cleveland Park Historic District that has the Residence listed as one of its grand estates. (The Residence, also known as “The Homestead”, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.)

Ambassador informed that the building, originally built in 1914 and then renovated in the 1930s by the Schoellkopf family, was acquired by the Government of India as the Embassy Residence in 1945. “Our residence has witnessed the growth of the India-US relationship over six decades now, and welcomed to its portals so many key players in that relationship. This lovely house has weathered the years well - its walls have taken on a beautiful patina with age, it has stayed that wonderful home on a hill, with its cloak of beautiful, strong, upright trees creating a magic and mystery that is truly unique” , Ambassador remarked.

On Ambassador’s invitation, the grandchildren - Henry Schoellkopf and Ann Schoellkopf - of  American diplomat Walter Schoellkopf, the previous owner of the property, were also present at the event.

Tersh Boasberg, former chairman of the Historic Preservation Review Board, who documented the work to register the Residence as a historical landmark in the United States, in his remarks, particularly highlighted the unique location and magnificent garden around the building. Describing it as the “finest Cleveland Park estate”, architect and historian Ms. Gwen Wright, recognized the effort of the Government of India in preserving the original architectural elegance of the Residence.

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