2131 Massachusetts Avenue., NW
Washington, D.C. 20008 USA
tel. (1 202) 588 0101
fax (1 202) 588 0108
e-mail:Embassy.Washington@mfa.ee
http://www.estemb.org/
Facebook: fb.com/estemb.washington
Twitter: @Estonia_in_US
Instagram: Estonia_in_US
Representation of Estonia in
the United States
After diplomatic relations were established between the Republic of
Estonia and the United States, Estonia opened its Consulate in New York
in May of 1921. At the end of 1923, Estonia established an Embassy in
Washington, but due to difficult financial circumstances, closed it on
December 31, 1925. On April 26, 1940 a decision was made to reopen
the Embassy, but the illegal annexation of Estonia by the Soviet Union
stopped this project.
On July 23, 1940 the acting Secretary of State Sumner Welles issued
the Welles Declaration, which condemned the occupation of the three
Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania by the Soviet Union. The
United States never recognized their annexation as Soviet Republics.
As a result, the Estonian Consulate General in New York continued its
diplomatic activities until Estonia restored its independence in August
1991. Soon after diplomatic relations were re-established, the Estonian
government decided to open the Embassy in Washington.
History
of the
Building
The building housing the Estonian Embassy today, was designed in
the Beaux Arts style by the architecture firm Marsh and Peter, widely
renowned at the time and named after the first senior partners William
J. Marsh and Walter G. Peter. Completed in 1905, the neoclassical
mansion is a beautiful example of the Grand style typical of American
Renaissance architecture.
The exterior of the house is grandiose with a columned main entrance
and oversized windows. The interior is equally spectacular. There are five
floors with an additional basement, which altogether give approximately
10 000 sq feet of floor space. The mansion features a centre turret, a
large staircase, side bays, multiple interior columns, intricate moldings,
inlaid hardwood floors, marble fireplaces, high ceilings, empire detailing
and generous room sizes.
Initially, the building was meant to serve as a residence for Dr. George
Barrie. As such, it hosted many famous people, most notably Senator
James H. Brady. In 1929, the mansion became the first premises for
the Landon School for Boys, with 22 students. The prestigious school
was highly acknowledged for its moral integrity and high educational
standards. Thus, only five years later, it was compelled to move to
another location, as the building was too small to accommodate the
growing number of students. Later on, the mansion served as the
Bulgarian Legation and in the 1930s as the Embassy of Peru. After
that, the building exchanged hands between different private owners
and was used for various accommodation purposes, for instance, in
the 1960s up to 55 people lived in the house. Starting in 1985, it stood
empty for most of the time.
Finally, in 1994 it was purchased by the Government of Estonia and the
conversion of the vacant building to a functional embassy was made
possible by architect Madis Valge. The official opening of the Embassy
took place in October, 1995.