Historic Properties in France: Pershing Hall, Paris, 1880

Pershing Hall is a large townhouse located in Paris at 49 Rue Pierre Charron, one block off the Champs d'Elysee at Golden. The land is 540 square meters, and the building contains 3200 square meters of space. It was acquired in 1928 by the American Legion, who established it as a memorial to General John J. Pershing and the World War I American Expeditionary Forces (AEF). After the financial crash of 1929, the U.S. Government provided funding to purchase the building in 1935. While title was to remain with the U.S., the operation and control was delegated to the American Legion for the use and benefit of WWI veterans. In 1982, the American Legion terminated its official connection with the building and the Pershing Hall Operating Committee was formed to manage the property on a non-profit basis.

In 1991, Public Law 102-86 was enacted to place Pershing Hall under the custody and control of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to provide continued management and financial support to an appropriate Pershing and AEF memorial.

Preservation concerns are governed by French historic preservation laws and regulations.

History: