National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton sites to close until March

Two historic buildings at the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton will close Monday, Nov. 15, for the installation of sprinklers. The White House (circa 1810) and the Stone House (circa 1750) are expected to reopen in March 2011. The Stone House was the first permanent home of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in St. Joseph’s Valley. While living in the Stone House, she founded the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph’s on July 31, 1809. The first Mass celebrated in the Stone House was on Aug. 10, 1809. Seton and the sisters lived in this house from July 31, 1809, through February 1810 when they moved across the lawn to the White House.

The Stone House was the first permanent home of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Saint Joseph’s Valley. While living in the Stone House she founded the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joseph’s on July 31, 1809.  The first Mass celebrated in the Stone House was on August 10, 1809.  The house was constructed of native stone and referred to as the “farm house”.  The house consists of two large rooms on the first floor, a garret above, and a five-foot-deep root cellar.  Fireplaces were the heating source, light furnished by candles and water came from a nearby well (which still can be seen on the ground of the adjacent National Emergency Training Center).  Mother Seton and the Sisters lived in this house from July 31, 1809 through February of 1810 when they moved across the lawn to the White House.