Tillar House: ASIL’s Home Since 1959

In 1959 ASIL acquired a permanent home: Genevieve Tillar, widow of Benjamin Johnston Tillar, gave her stately, embassy-like residence on Sheridan Circle, the heart of Washington’s Embassy Row, to the Society for use as its headquarters. Built by George Oakley Totten, the house is considered a historically significant Colonial Revival building.

ASIL President Charles Martin presided at the dedication ceremonies on April 28, 1961, which included speeches by The Honorable John J. McCloy and Professor Myres S. McDougal, the participation of descendants of four Society founders, and the reading of a letter sent by President John F. Kennedy.

The houses on Sheridan Circle were built in the first decade of the twentieth century and are prime examples of Academic Classical architecture. The statue in the circle, dedicated on November 25, 1908, is of General Philip H. “Little Phil” Sheridan, Civil War commander of the cavalry of the Army of the Potomac. Sheridan’s battle engagements included Lee's surrender at Appomattox.

Renovating Tillar House – 2001-2002

As the 1990s drew to a close, the ASIL Executive Council, under the leadership of Charles N. Brower (ASIL president, 1996-98), determined that Tillar House was an asset not only worth keeping, but also worth improving. Though the mansion had become a one-of-a-kind home for public events and educational services for the international law community, major renovations to the century-old house were needed.

Renovation provided an opportunity to create vastly improved meeting and research space for the public and for members, as well as a dramatically better work environment for ASIL employees. It was also an opportunity to involve the membership in a capital fundraising campaign that, capably led by Judge Brower, successfully raised more than $2 million.

The renovation began in June 2001 and was completed a year later. Tillar House was rededicated with a remarkable program on November 1, 2002. A distinguished panel on terrorism was followed by a reception for campaign and ASIL leaders, including Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, and presentations of honors to Judge Brower, Judge Stephen Schwebel, James Carter, William D. Rogers, and Rita E. Hauser. In the same way as a letter from President John F. Kennedy had been read to the assembled guests at Tillar House’s dedication in April 1961, a letter from President George W. Bush was read on the occasion of Tillar House’s rededication.

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