Martin Van Buren National Historic Site

Politics before the Civil War was a whirlwind of opposing interest groups. Martin Van Buren was able to unite those groups becoming president in 1837, but he was unable to gain a second term. As frustration and violence over the extension of slavery grew in the 1840's, Van Buren ran for the presidency twice more from this house. He hoped for re-election but failed, ultimately, just as the union.