Most notable are James Monroe, who occupied it as United States Secretary of War and as President of the United States while the White House was restored after the War of 1812, and historian Henry Adams.

The Cleveland Abbe House stands on the George Washington University campus northwest of the White House, on the north side of "I" Street across from James Monroe Park and near its junction with Pennsylvania Avenue.

Windows are rectangular sash, with stone sills and splayed keystone lintels.

He raised it from 2+1⁄2 to 3+1⁄2 stories, demolished some of its outbuildings, and built additional rooms in the rear.

[6] The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as "Arts Club of Washington" in 1969.