NAACP Co-Founder's 1875 DC Townhouse – Site Of Frederick Douglass' Wedding – Listed For $1.8M

A piece of American history is changing hands in Washington, D.C.’s Dupont Circle neighborhood.

The 1875 town house where civil rights pioneer Frederick Douglass married his second wife, Helen Pitts, in 1884 has found a buyer just days after hitting the market at $1.8 million, according to a report by Realtor.com.

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The three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath property spans 2,458 square feet and carries deep historical significance. The town house was owned by Francis James Grimké, a prominent clergyman and co-founder of the NAACP, who hosted Douglass’s intimate wedding ceremony in the home’s parlor room.

“We just went under contract this morning. We had two offers,” Meredith Margolis of Compass, who listed the property, told Realtor.

While the property’s connection to Douglass’s wedding is well documented, Margolis said Grimké never lived in the residence. “It was just the site for the wedding because there’s no record for him living in the house,” she explains.

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The current owners, who purchased the property in 1999, have carefully balanced preserving historical elements and incorporating modern amenities. According to the report, the kitchen features new granite countertops and a breakfast nook with a bay window, while the original wood flooring and traditional layout remain intact.

One bedroom has been converted into a library and family room with a balcony overlooking the backyard. The spacious dining room preserves the home’s heritage as a gathering space.

An adjacent alley, likely dating back to the horse-and-buggy era, provides access to the rear of the property.

The town house stands among Dupont Circle’s earliest residences, predating most of the neighborhood's post-1900 construction. Its location offers urban convenience with historical charm; it is within walking distance to the Metro Red Line, Michelin-starred restaurants and local shops.

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“It has a lot of original, traditional details of a townhome in historical Washington, D.C.,” says Margolis, who lives in the neighborhood with co-listing agent Jennifer Touchette. “Dupont Circle is one of the few neighborhoods that allow you to have an urban experience with all of the conveniences that you need … Plus, you’re surrounded by history and a really nice setting, which is why I chose to raise my kids here.”

It marks the first time in over two decades that the property has been available for purchase.

A bit of history: Douglass was one of the most influential figures in American history, best known for his leadership in the abolitionist movement and his fight for equality.

Born into slavery, Douglass escaped and became a powerful orator, writer and activist, according to the Library of Congress. His autobiographies, including Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, brought the horrors of slavery to the public's attention.

He also served as a trusted advisor to President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, advocating for the enlistment of Black soldiers. Later in life, Douglass became a diplomat and was appointed U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia.

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