• Journal of architectural history
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.57-68
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• 2014

The Korean Legation in Washington, D.C., is a proof that Emperor Kojong of Chosun Dynasty tried to establish relationship with the U.S. in 1891, that was before the declaration to establish Korean Empire. In that sense, the building is a historic place. The legation building is a symbolic place attesting to the turbulent history at the time of 1890 to 1910, when Korea had to suffer the forced treaty with Japan in 1905 and the annexation into Japan, and then to the 20th century up to the present time, 2014. The legation building can be turned into a space to host well-planned exhibits to show Korea's history and culture to local residents, foreign visitors to Washington, D.C., and overseas Koreans. The followings are the basic principles for the future use of the legation in line with the basic direction. The building's use should not be limited to museum, but should be flexible to accommodate various different practical usage. It is necessary to make the Korean Legation building that can incorporate the characters and the history through modern interpretation of the historicity of the place, the Korean culture, and historical events. The future usage of the Korean Legation building should enhance the value as a cultural heritage by linking the interpretation of the historical events and real life shown through exhibits, performance and people.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.77-85
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• 2019

The Fisher House, the first Korean Legation in the USA was located at 1513 O Street in Washington, D.C. This house was a three-story brick building with a height of 12.2m(8.84m up to the eaves) and a mansard roof. Facing the street, it is 7.32m (24 feet) wide and 23.6m(77.4 feet) depth. There is a long hallway after the entrance and a parlor with a grand fireplace next to it. This long hallway leads to a central hallway with another fireplace and a central staircase connecting the 2nd and 3rd floors. After the stairs a dining room is with a fireplace in the middle, which then leads to a pantry for dishes and the kitchen. It can also be argued that The Fisher House was the first Western-style residence for Koreans who were officially dispatched from the government. On the other hand, when living in The Fisher House, Park Jung-yang, who was sent on the three premises of the Yeonjak, directly experienced how the United States sought independence from the U.K. through the Declaration of Independence, Mount Vernon, the Washington monument, the Arlington National Cemetery, and battlefields. Even though he was summoned back to Korea by China in less than a year, Park Jung-yang actively supported the independence movement when he became acting prime minister in 1896. In this regard, The Fisher House arguably is the birthplace of Korea's independence movement.