Old Chinese Legation

China moved its legation from the Schneider mansion into this new building in 1903. Waddy B. Wood designed the premises with distinct residential and office sections. They served the Qing mission and then the Republic of China; elevation of the mission to embassy rank in 1935 did not require a move. [1]

The chancery moved to 2311 Massachusetts Avenue in 1943. The Republic of China retained the 19th Street property after the chancery’s departure. Later residential conversion preserved the building after a proposal to replace it with parking was rejected. [1]

Diplomatic Use

• Qing legation: Qing China
  1903 to 1912 [1]
• Republic of china legation: Republic of China
  1912 to 1935 [1]
• Republic of china embassy chancery: Republic of China
  1935 to 1943 [1]

Changes to the Property

• Construction: 1902 to 1903 [1]
• Site purchase announced: 1902-03 [1]
• Legation moved into the building: 1903. The nomination expressly dates Liang Cheng’s arrival to April 1903. Its separate report of the completed physical move cites a Washington Post article of April 4, 1903 but does not state the month when the move occurred. The article itself was not inspected; no exact move month or sequence after Liang’s arrival is asserted. [1]
• Chancery relocated: 1943 [1]

Related Reading

• China and the United States