The Meridian International Center is a nonpartisan center for diplomacy, founded in 1960 and headquartered on a historic campus in Washington, D.C. Meridian aims to empower the next era of leaders to advance diplomacy for a better future. Their programs strengthen American leadership by accelerating collaboration on shared challenges, increasing economic competitiveness, and building geopolitical resilience. Meridian equips leaders from business, science and technology, cities and states, culture and sports with the insights, networks, and resources to navigate a complex world. ^[1] Meridian International’s campus, located in Washington, D.C., features two historical properties — Meridian House and White-Meyer House. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, these homes were residences of U.S. Ambassadors. Built in the 1920s, the homes were designed by American architect John Russell Pope, whose work includes the Jefferson Memorial and the National Archives.^[2]

Meridian’s name comes from its location near 16th Street, which in the early 1800s was proposed as the international prime meridian and now serves as the center axis of Washington, DC.  

In 1960, the American Council on Education purchased Meridian House with a Ford Foundation grant, establishing it as a partner to the U.S. Department of State on international exchange programs. White-Meyer House was acquired in 1987, and the organization was renamed Meridian International Center in 1992.^[3]

Meridian House, at 1630 Crescent Place, was built by Ambassador Irwin Boyle Laughlin. He purchased the land in 1912, two years after his friend Henry White bought the adjacent site. After a long and distinguished career with the US Foreign Service, Mr. Laughlin retired in 1919 and built Meridian House, filling it with his collection of 18th century French drawings and Oriental porcelains and screens. Although he later returned to the diplomatic corps, serving as Ambassador to Greece and Spain in the 1920s and 30s, Mr. Laughlin also played an active role in Washington’s artistic and historical communities.^[4]

Ambassador Laughlin was married to Therese Iselin, daughter of New York banker Adrian Iselin. Their daughter, Gertrude, who married Rear Admiral Hubert Winthrop Chanler, lived in Meridian House during her youth and from time to time after her marriage, especially when her husband was away on naval assignments. The house remained in the Laughlin family until 1958.^[4]

In 1960, a newly created non-profit organization dedicated to promoting international understanding, which later became Meridian International Center, received a grant from the Ford Foundation to purchase Meridian House. Gertrude Chanler served as a Meridian trustee for many years and made a substantial donation to start Meridian's endowment. Her children continue to support Meridian International Center and frequently visit the house with their own children.

In 1992, Meridian was renamed Meridian International Center. ^[4]

Meridian seeks to connect leaders from the following key sectors across borders, sectors, and political divides with the insights, networks, and resources needed to solve problems no single government can tackle alone. ^[1]

• Business

• Science, Technology & Innovation

• Cities & States

• Culture & Sports

• Emerging Leaders

Meridian features programs for leaders to connect with their government and diplomatic counterparts and gain the global insights, networks, and resources needed to be a force multiplier for diplomacy. These following are types of global leadership development programs:

• Global Education & Exchanges

• Convenings

• Culture

The Meridian House and the White-Meyer House are adjacent to each other and serve as venues for events, including corporate conferences, weddings, special events, and receptions.

The Center organizes several large events each year. The most prominent one is the Meridian Ball, which usually takes place in October.^[5]

In 1969, Meridian launched an annual benefit, the Meridian Ball, with associated dinners at the embassies and residences of foreign ambassadors and Meridian’s own White-Meyer House in Washington, D.C.^[6][4]

Meridian presents the Meridian Cultural Diplomacy Award.^[7] Its 2023 recipient was the former Meridian president and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), Lee Satterfield.^[8]