Artifact Details
On the same property as CIA Headquarters stands a large white house built in 1926 which is known today as the Scattergood-Thorne Conference Center.
In 1933, Margaret Scattergood and Florence Calvert Thorne purchased the home and the 20 surrounding acres; adding 12 more acres in 1935. In 1948, the US Government acquired much of the surrounding acreage to build CIA. Scattergood and Thorne held out but eventually reached a settlement with the Government. In exchange for immediate payment for their property, the women were given a life estate. Thorne died in 1973. A few months after Scattergood's death in late 1986, CIA took control of the property.
In accordance with Scattergood's will, a large buffet in the house went to Scattergood's long-time personal secretary, Doris Webb. The buffet, shown here, remained with Webb until her death in 2021 at the age of 103. Per her mother's wishes, Webb's daughter returned the buffet to CIA. It is believed to be a Henry II Renaissance Revival style buffet probably produced in the late 19th or very early 20th century. Likely made of walnut with carvings of pomegranates, symbols of life and fertility, this piece of history is now part of the CIA's Museum collection.