At a Glance
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660
Square Foot Renovation
- Location
- Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia
- Offices
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-
Client
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NAVFAC Washington
-
- Location
- Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia
- Offices
- Client
-
- NAVFAC Washington
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Constructed in 1853, the Watch Box served as the primary check-in point for visitors to the Washington Navy Yard, including President Abraham Lincoln, who visited frequently during the Civil War. More than a historic gatehouse, it stands as one of the last places Lincoln appeared publicly on the day of his assassination.
After being relocated in 1909 to Naval Support Facility Indian Head, Maryland, the structure remained in use for over a century. Recognized as a contributing element to the Washington Navy Yard Historic District, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) initiated efforts to return the Watch Box to its original setting and restore its historic character.
Transported by barge along the Potomac River, the building was reinstalled near its original location, across from the Main Parade Ground. Our preservation team designed the reconstruction of its defining wrap-around porch using historic photographs, carefully reestablishing its 1853 appearance.
Today, the restored Watch Box reconnects visitors to the Navy Yard’s past while supporting its ongoing mission. By returning this structure to its original context, the project preserves the tangible link to more than two centuries of history and enhances the public’s understanding of the site’s role in shaping the nation.
" }At a Glance
-
660
Square Foot Renovation
- Location
- Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia
- Offices
-
-
Client
-
-
NAVFAC Washington
-
- Location
- Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia
- Offices
- Client
-
- NAVFAC Washington