At 2645 Gough you’ll find a gorgeous building dating from 1859, the Octagon House. The house is now a representative museum of colonial decorative art. In the 1850s, people thought that if you could live in a circle shaped house you would definitely be happier, healthier and wealthier. But, as it was very difficult to build a circle shaped house, the second best choice was an octagon. Orson S. Fowler wrote a book on this subject, A Home for All, and the person who designed the house, William C. McElroy, is supposed to have read it.

In 1952, the Octagon House was offered to the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America for one dollar. The only condition was that the Colonial Dames relocate the building. Located originally at 2618 Gough Street, the Octagon House moved to 2645 Gough Street one year later. The Colonial Dames restored the building and put electricity in it.

The Octagon House is staffed by volunteers, by people who wish to preserve it and pass it on to the future generations. You may visit the museum on the second and fourth Thursday of every month and on the second Sunday of every month from 12 to 3 pm.

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