Open Friday through Sunday
Explore the Museum
Current Exhibits Pick Your Poison
Did you know that in the year 1800, the average American over the age of fifteen consumed thirty-two gallons of hard cider and beer, seven …
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 …
Current Exhibits STEM in the Historic House
The disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are essential to further how we understand, preserve and interpret historic houses and the collections contained …
History Lessons
Digitizing the NSCDA Archives
By Cheyenne Laux, Archives Intern October-December 2020 A small historic house museum, Dumbarton House has been the headquarters of the National Society of The Colonial …
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 …
Interpretation
Visitors to Dumbarton House return in time to when Joseph Nourse, first Register of the U.S. Treasury, and his wife Maria, made their home here, between 1804 and 1813. …
Preservation
Historic Preservation Story Preservation projects aimed at returning Dumbarton House to the simplicity of its original Federal design were begun in 1931, three years after …
Federal Style (1790 -1830)
Dumbarton House is fine example of Federal period architecture. Our nation’s early years, from 1790 to 1830, generally define the Federal period. During this time, …
Upcoming Programs
Experience Dumbarton From Your Home
Join & Donate
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.
