Nowhere in the country will one find as many
historic buildings, artifacts and sites than
in the Washington D.C. metro area. The nation's
capital has long preserved much of the historic
treasures that belong to the American people.
With the long list of incredible historic venues,
we can only provide a brief summary of what the
area has to offer. Also see historic
sites in the surrounding Maryland and Virginia
areas.
Anderson House
- The headquarters, museum and library for The
Society of the Cincinnati, founded by George
Washington and the officers from the Continental
Army and Navy in 1783. Main displays deal withthe
period around the American Revolution, but both
European and Oriental decorative arts are also
exhibited. / 2118 Massachusetts Ave. N.W. / 202-785-2040
/ Free / Library open by appointment only
Decatur House
- Built in 1819 for Commodore Stephen Decatur,
the house was designed by Benjamin Latrobe and
was the first private residence on Lafayette
Square. The home was remodeled in the 1870s in
a Victorian style and is shown with rooms restored
to contrast both periods of occupation. / 748
Jackson Pl. N.W. / 202-842-0920 / Modest Fee
Dumbarton House
- Federalist period house features period furnishings,
art, silver and porcelains as well as documents
and letters signed by several of the early founding
fathers. A display of children's objects from
around the country are also displayed for the
enjoyment of children of all ages. / 2715 Q St.
N.W. / 202-337-2288 / Modest Fee / Students
with ID Free
Dumbarton Oaks
- An estate donated to Harvard University in
1940 by Mr. & Mrs. Robert Woods Bliss, it
houses the Center for Byzantine Studies, Pre-Columbian
Studies and landscape architecture. The 1944
Dumbarton Oak Conversations led to the eventual
establishment of the United Nations. A library
with over 100,000 volumes, an art collection,
museum pieces and formal gardens are some of
the highlights to be explored at the estate.
/ 1703 32nd St. N.W. / 202-339-6409 / Modest
Fee for Gardens in season / Donations accepted
at Museum
Emancipation Statue
- Dedicated by Frederick Douglass in 1876, this
Lincoln Park sculpture by Thomas Ball depicts
Lincoln freeing a slave. The statue was paid
for by donations from former slaves. / between
11th & 13th Sts. N.E. at E. Capitol St.
Ford's Theatre National
Historic Site - This Historic Site
includes the Ford's Theatre, where Lincoln was
shot, The Ford's Theatre Museum in the basement
of the theatre and the House Where Lincoln Died,
(Petersen Home) across the street from the theatre.
The Theatre has been restored to its 1860s appearance
and plays and musicals of the period are staged
here. The basement museum contains artifacts
and history relating to the assassination, the
1849 Petersen home where Lincoln died has also
been restored to how it looked on that fateful
day, April 14,1865. / Theatre performances prices
range from about $30 to $50 per ticket, performance
and rehearsal schedules may preempt tours, call
ahead for information. / 511 10th St. N.W. /
202-426-6924 / 202-347-4833 Box office / Tours
of the entire site are Free
Frederick Douglass National
Historic Site - This 19th century
house, filled with many original Victorian furnishings,
was the last home of statesman and former slave,
Frederick Douglass. Tours of the house and a
visitor center which explores the life of Douglass
through exhibits and film are part of the presentation
and homage to this early human rights activist.
/ 1411 W. St. S.E. / Cedar Hill / 202-426-5961
/ Modest Fee
The Octagon
- Built around 1800 by architect William Thornton,
for John Tayloe III, the home was used by President
James Madison in 1814 after the White House was
burned in 1812. The home is now an historic house
museum run by the American Architectural Foundation.
/ 18th St. and New York Ave. N.W. / 202-638-3221
/ Modest Fee
Old Stone House - One of the oldest
buildings in the city, the house has been restored
to its colonial roots. Constructed about 1765,
it is a prime example of pre-Revolutionary architecture.
/ 3051 M St. N.W. / 202-426-6851 / Free Admission
Sewall-Belmont House
- Headquarters of the National Woman's Party,
the original part of the house dates to 1680,
the main addition was constructed in 1798. The
house contains suffragette memorabilia and antique
furnishings. / 144 Constitution Ave. N.E. / 202-546-3989
/ Donations
Tudor Place
- Built for a granddaughter of Martha Washington,
the neoclassical house was constructed in 1816.
The home remained in the family for six generations
and the interiors reflect those years of occupation,
including some important Mount Vernon heirlooms.
/ 1644 31st St. N.W. / 202-965-0400 - ext.
102 / Modest Fee
The White House
- Home to every President except Washington,
construction began on the White House in the
1790s. Renovated and repaired several times since
then, the White House is filled with antiques
and original pieces including gifts to the country
and possessions of past occupants. Timed tickets
are distributed at the Visitor’s Center,
the House is closed to tours on Mondays and some
holidays as well as during official state functions.
/ 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. / 202-456-7041
for 24 hour recorded information / White House
Tours are Free
Woodrow Wilson House
- This Embassy Row townhouse of Woodrow Wilson
is where he lived until he died in 1924. Filled
with momentos and period furnishings collected
during his presidency, it is the only presidential
museum in the city. / 2340 S. St. N.W. / 202-387-4062
/ Modest Fee
Reserve
Early...while your preferred accommodations
are still available.
|
