Part 8/11:
The largest space in the mansion, the Louis XV ballroom, was designed to impress. Its high domed ceiling, adorned with pastel painted panels, reflected the glitter of a crystal chandelier. The polished parquet floors and mirrored walls amplified the space’s grandeur, making it perfect for dance and social gatherings.
In the early 20th century, Marie’s mansion in this neighborhood became a hub for Washington’s elite, hosting diplomatic receptions, cultural events, and fashionable parties that cemented her role as a “dictator” of high society.