Mary Ann Hall
Item
Full name
Mary Ann Hall
Biography
Mary Ann Hall purchased a home in 1840 on land where the National Museum of the American Indian is today. Her three-story home became the site of a high end brothel for the District. Archaeologists excavated fragments of champagne bottles, oyster shells, and fine china, all indicating the upscale clientele of Hall's establishment. She created a profitable business. In 1860, Hall owned real estate and personal property valued at over $18,000. By the time of her death in 1886 that estate had grown to $100,000, the equivalent of $1.9 million today.
Mary Ann Hall was a successful business owner in Washington, DC. While not much is known about her early life, Hall came to Washington in 1840 where she purchased a home on what today is the site of the National Museum of the American Indian.
Her home was a prominent brothel in the Washington area. Prostitution was not illegal in the District until 1914. Because of this Hall was able to create a profitable business. By the time Mary Ann Hall died in 1886 at the age of 71 her estate was valued at $100,000.
She was well respected in Washington, DC, and described as having "integrity unquestioned, a heart ever open to appeals of distress, a charity that was boundless" in her obituary.
Her home was a prominent brothel in the Washington area. Prostitution was not illegal in the District until 1914. Because of this Hall was able to create a profitable business. By the time Mary Ann Hall died in 1886 at the age of 71 her estate was valued at $100,000.
She was well respected in Washington, DC, and described as having "integrity unquestioned, a heart ever open to appeals of distress, a charity that was boundless" in her obituary.
Date of Birth
1815
First Name
Mary Ann
Last Name
Hall
Source
Smithsonian Institution Architectural History and Historic Preservation Division. View original photograph.
Coverage
1860-1889
1830-1859
Date Submitted
1886
current project
Business
Creator
Mary Ann Hall
topic
everyday life
neighborhood
work & play