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A piece of American history is changing hands in Washington, D.C.’s Dupont Circle neighborhood.

The 1875 town house where civil rights pioneer Frederick Douglass married his second wife, Helen Pitts, in 1884 has found a buyer just days after hitting the market at $1.8 million, according to a report by Realtor.com.

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The three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath property spans 2,458 square feet and carries deep historical significance. The town house was owned by Francis James Grimké, a prominent clergyman and co-founder of the NAACP, who hosted Douglass’s intimate wedding ceremony in the home’s parlor room.

“We just went under contract this morning. We had two offers,” Meredith Margolis of Compass, who listed the property, told Realtor.

While the property’s connection to Douglass’s wedding is well documented, Margolis said Grimké never lived in the residence. “It was just the site for the wedding because there’s no record for him living in the house,” she explains.

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The current owners, who purchased the property in 1999, have carefully balanced preserving historical elements and incorporating modern amenities. According to the report, the kitchen features new granite countertops and a breakfast nook with a bay window, while the original wood flooring and traditional layout remain intact.

One bedroom has been converted into a library and family room with a balcony overlooking the backyard. The spacious dining room preserves the home’s heritage as a gathering space.

An adjacent alley, likely dating back to the horse-and-buggy era, provides access to the rear of the property.

The town house stands among Dupont Circle’s earliest residences, predating most of the neighborhood’s post-1900 construction. Its location offers urban convenience with historical charm; it is within walking distance to the Metro Red Line, Michelin-starred restaurants and local shops.

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“It has a lot of original, traditional details of a townhome in historical Washington, D.C.,” says Margolis, who lives in the neighborhood with co-listing agent Jennifer Touchette. “Dupont Circle is one of the few neighborhoods that allow you to have an urban experience with all of the conveniences that you need … Plus, you’re surrounded by history and a really nice setting, which is why I chose to raise my kids here.”

It marks the first time in over two decades that the property has been available for purchase.

A bit of history: Douglass was one of the most influential figures in American history, best known for his leadership in the abolitionist movement and his fight for equality.

Born into slavery, Douglass escaped and became a powerful orator, writer and activist, according to the Library of Congress. His autobiographies, including Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, brought the horrors of slavery to the public’s attention.

He also served as a trusted advisor to President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, advocating for the enlistment of Black soldiers. Later in life, Douglass became a diplomat and was appointed U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia.

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One of the most well-known figures in sports and business, Shaquille O’Neal, has talked about his spending patterns and the lessons he’s learned from them. On a recent podcast, Shaq revealed in passing that he owns as many as five houses and forty cars. Furthermore, he claims he doesn’t truly know why, saying, “I have 40 cars and I don’t know why. And I got five houses, I don’t know why.”

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Shaq’s advice was surprisingly straightforward and practical despite his enormous presence – save your money. “Just save. Don’t even touch it,” he advised when discussing what he’d do differently from a financial perspective. This advice comes from someone who has lived long but also learned the value of financial caution.

Shaq said that his numerous residences and collection of expensive vehicles don’t always make practical sense. Although he admitted that he could afford them, he claimed that it would have helped him to have been more frugal when he was younger.

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Besides, this isn’t the first time he said you should save more. In a recent interview with CNBC, Shaq said, “It’s not about how much you make; it’s about how much you keep.” He further explained, “Save 75% of your earnings and put it away. Use the other 25% as you please.”

One of the key lessons Shaq shared during the podcast was learning from losing. He was honest about how failure shaped his success, saying, “Before you succeed, you must first learn to fail.” Whenever he lost a game, he analyzed his mistakes and made sure not to repeat them. “Every time we lost, I said to myself, ‘Not going to do that again.’ Once I started winning,” Shaq said, “I knew what it took to keep winning.”

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Shaq’s personal experiences have shaped his financial outlook. Like some other NBA players, he earned hundreds of millions during his NBA career, but he wasn’t always financially savvy. When he was younger, he made a few major mistakes, such as spending $1 million within hours of signing his first big contract. But as time passed, he learned how important it was to be disciplined with his money.

At the end of the podcast, Shaq was asked whether he thinks about his mortality. He answered, “No,” before continuing, “I’m amazed that children know who I am. I’m amazed that people in Mexico know who I am and hopefully that lasts forever, but if it doesn’t, I understand.”

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