Dupont - A Famous Name With an Exciting Past and Present

Added: 03/30/2006

Dupont is a traffic circle that can be found in the northwest of Washington D.C., at the crossing of Connecticut Avenue, Massachusetts Avenue, New Hampshire Avenue and 19th Street. It also gives its name to the public park, located within the circle, as well as the surrounding neighborhood. Situated in this area is the Dupont at the Circle, a bed and breakfast inn catering to business travelers and tourists alike and offering an opportunity to refresh your spirit in relaxing homey atmosphere.

Known originally as Pacific Circle, Dupont Circle traces its origins to 1871, when its construction was started by Congress. In 1884 a bronze statue of renowned admiral Samuel Francis du Pont was erected in the park at the center of the circle. However, in 1920 the sculpture was moved by the du Pont family to Wilmington, Delaware, and the current white marble fountain from architect Henry Bacon and sculptor Daniel Chester French was installed on this place. Carved on its shaft are three nude figures, symbolizing the wind, the stars and the sea.

Dupont Circle is divided between two roads: the inner road, reserved for Massachusetts Avenue traffic; and the outer road, serving other intersecting streets. Passing under the circle through a tunnel, Connecticut Avenue accesses Dupont via service roads branching from Connecticut. The tunnel's construction entailed building of an underground station which is no longer used.

The park within Dupont Circle is seen as a common meeting place for those willing to relax on the grass or play chess on the stone chessboards. In the past it has been location of various political rallies, particularly those protesting the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Currently the park is maintained by the National Park Service.In addition to hosting a wide range of high-priced residential apartments, Dupont Circle is home to some of the most renowned research institutions in the nation, notably the Institute for International Economics, the Brookings
Institution, the Johns Hopkins University's Paul Nitze School of Advanced International Studies and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Since 1994 the Dupont Circle neighborhood has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This cosmopolitan, fascinating neighborhood introduces you to some of the finest art galleries and museums, unique bookstores and designer shops, ethnic restaurants and cozy cafes, as well as renowned Dupont Circle hotels, ranked with the top lodges in the city.

One of the greatest options for your stay in the area, the Dupont at the Circle offers you home away from home, whether you are a business or leisure traveler. This modern bed and breakfast inn is comprised of two restored Victorian town houses, featuring top amenities and conveniences. The hotel's close proximity to the Dupont Circle metro stop makes it an ideal option for those visitors who need easy access to major attractions and business centers of Washington D.C. You'll be offered to choose from six guest rooms, two-room suite and studio, all of which are appointed with antique furniture and elegant linens.

Available in each room are a telephone with voice mail, cable TV, private bath, robes and hairdryer. The inn also boasts complimentary Internet accessibility for those eager to stay in touch. The common area parlors are cozy and inviting, seen as an ideal place to relax on a rainy afternoon. And for wonderful sunny days you'll be offered a patio, perfectly suited for those watching fronts B&B. The hotel's rates are seasonal and may vary throughout the year.

And don't forget, available all-the-year-round are vacation packages and special offers!

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