A historic Washington, D.C. home once owned by John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis has been sold for $6.125 million. Known as the Marbury House, the residence dates back to around 1811 and holds a significant place in American political history.
A Home Before the White House
The Kennedys purchased the property in 1957 while JFK served as a U.S. Senator. It was their first home in the nation's capital, acquired just before his successful presidential campaign. The couple lived there with their children, Caroline (born 1957) and John F. Kennedy Jr. (born 1960), in the prestigious Georgetown neighborhood.
The home played a pivotal role during the 1960 election. According to listing agent Michael Rankin of Sotheby's International Realty, "Advisors came and went through the gracious doorway; decisions about Cabinet appointees were considered in the front rooms; and, on winter mornings, the President-elect stepped onto the porch to share announcements with the press gathered along the brick sidewalks."
Architectural and Historical Details
Spanning 5,215 square feet, the residence features a rose red brick facade with deep green shutters. It includes five bedrooms, five full bathrooms, and one partial bath. The interior boasts a sprawling parlor, a library, and a spacious garden, along with a one-car garage and two parking spaces. Architectural elements reflect the Federal period, with high ceilings, proportion, and an abundance of natural light.
Jackie Kennedy, known for her refined taste, personally redesigned the interiors multiple times. The listing notes, "Jacqueline, who possessed a discerning aesthete, reimagined the interiors several times by shaping the double living room into a warm, polished salon where she hosted political teas and small gatherings that subtly advanced her husband's presidential prospects."
Sale and Historical Significance
Originally listed in October 2025 for $7.5 million, the home sold on May 12 for $6.125 million. The couple had purchased it for $82,000 in 1957, spending an additional $18,000 on renovations, as documented in the 2000 book Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis: A Life.
On January 20, 1961, the Kennedys left the house for JFK's inauguration and moved into the White House. Over the years, the property changed hands multiple times, but its character and integrity have been meticulously preserved.
Notable Previous Owners
The Kennedys were not the first prominent family to own the home. It was commissioned by William Marbury, a Georgetown financier and Federalist, who was the namesake of the landmark Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison.
