It was built in 1825 for Tench Ringgold, who was one of a three-member presidential commission charged with supervising the restoration of public buildings in the capital following the War of 1812 and the burning of Washington by the British.

He was also still serving as US marshal in the District of Columbia, having first been appointed under the President James Monroe administration.

From 1832 to 1833, the Chief Justice of the United States John Marshall resided as a boarder with Ringgold in the house,[2] along with Associate Justice Joseph Story – both men considered Ringgold a friend.

Bacon's widow, philanthropist and political hostess Virginia Murray Bacon (among the grandest of 20th-century Washington's society "grandes dames"), established a foundation to ensure the House would continue in perpetuity as an elegant venue for statesmanship and international dialogue.

The historic property is open to the public on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 2:30–4:30 p.m. for tours.