[1] After declaring independence in 1991, Armenia established diplomatic relations with the United States and opened its embassy in February 1993 with the arrival of Ambassador Rouben Shugarian.

Ambassadors of Armenia to the United States: Designed by local architect George Oakley Totten Jr. in 1909, the Mediterranean Revival style building originally served as the residence of Amaryllis Gillett.

Subsequent owners included Congressman Gilbert M. Hitchcock and the International Institute of Interior Design (IIID).

After the IIID merged with Marymount University in 1990, the property remained vacant until it was purchased by the Armenian government in 1995.

The $2.3 million purchase of the structure and its later renovations were paid for in part by substantial donations from the Armenian American community.