The Octagon House - Madison's temporary Executive Mansion

After the British burned the White House in 1814, President James Madison and his family used the Octagon House as the temporary executive mansion for several months. The historic 1799 New York Avenue NW house now operates as the Octagon Museum and contains period rooms and exhibits about its role in early Washington history. Its location off the National Mall makes it a quieter, less-frequented historic site.