Open Friday through Sunday
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 …
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
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Upcoming Programs
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Join us in our mission to promote historic preservation, educate the public on early American history, and enhance the cultural life of our nation’s capital.
