Capture the Castle

First Fridays in Dupont Circle traditionally involve art lovers wandering from gallery to gallery, taking in the latest cutting-edge exhibits, talking up the newest up-and-comers and scarfing down free jug wine and cheese.

Starting tomorrow, the landmark Brewmaster's Castle is hoping to get in on the neighborhood's cultural scene.

Christian Heurich's 19th-century mansion, which had been facing a $250,000 debt and a possible sale, dodged a bullet earlier this year when a rush of public interest led to increased revenues from admissions fees and guided tours.

Hoping to build on the revived curiosity about the house, billed as "the most intact Victorian residence in the country," a group called Friends of the Brewmaster's Castle is now organizing open houses with live music on the first Friday of the month.

From 5:30 to 8:30, you can explore the Castle's beautiful interior and hear pianist Helene Diener perform on Heurich's 1901 gold Steinway. There's a $10 admission charge, which will help pay off the organization's mortgage.

One word of waning: You'd think that you'd be able to grab a cold beer at the Brewmaster's Castle, but it's a dry event. Better to head a few blocks west to the Brickskeller and make your way to the second-floor bar, where the draft beers are rotated frequently.

-- Fritz

By Fritz Hahn |  April 6, 2006; 2:20 PM ET Museums
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