Explore the Museum

Current Exhibits

Making DC

In 1790, a swampy spot near the Potomac River was chosen to be the new United States capital. However, it was made into a city …

Current Exhibits

Power in Preservation

The Power in Preservation exhibit is a celebration of the role that women have historically played, and continue to play, in the broad field of …

Black and White Dumbarton House c 1920 Library of Congress Current Exhibits

History’s Keepers: The Legacy of the NSCDA

Since 1891, The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA) has worked to inspire a spirit of patriotism and a genuine love of …

Current Exhibits

The Exchange

An exciting exhibition series, The Exchange, is designed to present a couple of items from history in a way that engages visitors and helps them reflect …

History Lessons

Education

Ninety Years of Dumbarton House!

In 1927, the National Board of The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA) approved that the Society should “acquire an old, historic …

From the Garden

Restoration of the North Garden Niche

Preservation requires understanding the history and construction of the object or structure being preserved if it is to be done correctly. If not careful, our …

History of the Home

The Hidden Figures of Dumbarton House: Slavery and Servitude within the Nourse family Household

For over a decade interns, volunteers, and staff at Dumbarton House have been researching the question—did the Nourse family have any enslaved workers or indentured …

History of the Home

Digitizing the NSCDA Archives

This article contains the work of several interns who have been involved in the ongoing process of digitizing the many records in the archives of …

From the Garden

Dumbarton House Featured Flora: Globe Amaranth

Gomphrena Globosa Globe amaranth, scientifically known as gomphrena globosa, is native to South and Central America and is a member of the Amaranthaceous family. It is …

From the Garden

Dumbarton House Featured Flora: Japanese Cedar

Cryptomeria japonica ‘Yoshino’ The Japanese Cedar is native to forested areas in Japan and China and is a species in the Redwood family. The foliage …

From the Garden

Dumbarton House Featured Flora: Japanese Snowbell

Styrax japonicus Japanese Snowbell is native to China and Japan. It is a graceful, compact, deciduous flowering tree that grows to 20-30 feet tall with …

From the Garden

Dumbarton House Featured Flora: Chaste Tree

Vitex agnus castus The Chaste Tree is a native of China and India but has become naturalized throughout the South. Peter Henderson, an early American …

From the Garden

Dumbarton House Featured Flora: Scholar Tree, Pagoda Tree

Sophora japonica Sophora japonica is native to China and Korea, but not Japan. The common name, Pagoda Tree, recognizes the early use of the tree in …

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