Dr. Louis C. Lehr (brother of Henry Symes Lehr) and his wife, Marie, were the original occupants of the building. It was designed and built by Clarke Waggaman in 1913–1914. Notable occupants of the building have included Norman H. Davis (while serving as Undersecretary of State), Raymond T. Baker (while serving as Director of the U.S. Mint), Joseph H. Himes (while serving in Congress), Roy D. Chapin (while serving as Secretary of Commerce), and Guillermo Sevilla-Sacasa (while serving as Nicaraguan ambassador).
Services
The embassy operates several services and offices, responsible for different areas of policy and liaising with the relevant American bodies, the most notable of whom are listed below.
Chancery
The Chancery is the main diplomatic and political body. It is responsible for coordination with the American government on matters, particularly foreign policy, that affect Nicaragua, however, the majority of the diplomacy is conducted by the ambassador, leaving the chancery to liaise with the Nicaraguan government and coordinate with the Press Service in matters of public policy. The diplomats of the chancery take responsibility for a specific policy area and may stand in for the ambassador in his absence.
The Chancery has attaches based in each of the five regional consulates.
Press and Communications Office
The Press Service is responsible for events, as well as coordinating press releases and conferences, including the provision of designated spokesmen. The office also monitors American press coverage of issues pertaining to Nicaragua and reports back to the ambassador and to Managua.
The Cultural Service
The Cultural Services of the embassy is located at the embassy. Its responsibility is in facilitating "cultural exchange" between the two nations, a role that can be creative, informative or merely administrative. The duties of the service include promoting Nicaraguan creative works in cultural and academic institutions across Nicaragua, with the help of the attaches in regional consulates.
