Cultural tourism in Washington

SATURDAY, JULY 13, 2013 

COMMUNITY TRAIL LAUNCH

Logan Circle Park

Washington, DC

UNVEILING: 3 PM AT LOGAN CIRCLE PARK

With emcee Derrick Ward of NBC 4, Councilmember Jack Evans, and distinguished guests

Korean Legation

TRAIL WALK: 4-6 PM

Featuring guided tours and open houses

(Total trail walking distance: 1.5 miles)

RECEPTION AT STUDIO THEATRE: 5-7 PM

No reservations required.

Presented by Cultural Tourism DC, Logan Circle Heritage Trail Working Group, and Logan Circle Community Association.

Cultural Tourism DC initiated the District of Columbia Neighborhood Heritage Trails program to bring visitors to DC’s historic neighborhoods and to promote community pride. Each of the 15 Heritage Trails is produced by Cultural Tourism DC staff with the active involvement of neighborhood residents and organizations that help identify landmarks of local and national importance.

Korea’s first legation building in the United States is included on the new Logan Circle trail. Korean Ambassador Ahn Ho-young will offer remarks commemorating the friendship and ties between the Republic of Korea and the United States. 

The unveiling ceremony on the 13th will showcase the trail’s 7th sign, which includes the history of the Korean Legation building as a key highlight of the trail. The ceremony has special symbolic meaning because the 7th sign was chosen from among 15 that comprise the Logan Circle Heritage Trail.

Interior of Korean Legation

The legation building at 15 Logan Circle was purchased for $25,000 in 1889 by King Gojong of the Joseon Dynasty, which was Korea's last royal dynasty. It served as the Korean Legation for 16 years until Korea’s diplomatic independence was lost to Imperial Japan in 1905. When Japan annexed Korea by force five years later, the building was forcibly sold to Japan for only $5 and then sold to a third party. 

For over a century since, the building has had various American owners. In 2012, the Korean government successfully re-claimed its old legation when it purchased the building from private ownership.