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. The first floor of the home is decorated and furnished to reflect their tastes, and beyond this, the early history of Washington and Georgetown, two of the three towns in the newly established […]
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 the property was acquired by The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America. Alterations had been made to the structure earlier in the 20th century, and the simplicity of the Federal design was
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, a keen sense of nationalism arose, and government leaders such as Thomas Jefferson looked to the classical ages of Greece and Rome for inspiration in forging an identity for the new
Federal Style (1790 -1830) Read More
Dining with Dolley In Dumbarton House’s Nourse family letter collection are invitations from President Jefferson, for whom Dolley often served as hostess while James was Secretary of State. Later, President Madison made Charles Nourse the conveyor of dispatches to Great Britain in 1808. One can infer acquaintance, and speculate that Dolley may have bustled out
America’s First Civil Servant As first Register of the Treasury, Joseph Nourse was a highly respected and distinguished civil servant. With a career that spanned 40 years and six presidential administrations, Nourse played a key role in administering the finances of the new Republic. Born on July 16, 1754, in London, England, Joseph Nourse was the
Joseph Nourse (1754-1841) Read More
1703 The Maryland Assembly grants Scottish immigrant Ninian Beall a tract of 795 acres for his services “[against] all incursions and disturbances of neighboring Indians.” Beall names the property “Rock of Dumbarton,” after the distinctive geologic feature near Glasgow in his native Scotland. 1717 Ninian Beall dies and his son George inherits the “Rock of
100 Dollar Reward was open from February 2018 until August 2018. The exhibit examined slavery in Georgetown from its founding in 1751 to 1830 and explored the lives of enslaved workers in an urban area and how their experiences differed from the chattel slavery of plantation life. We invite visitors to examine the story of
For the Nourse family, art is a most cherished tradition. Early relatives passed their paintings down through the generations. Mothers imparted their skills on their children and encouraged them to nurture their own lifelong artistic talents. Some industrious Nourse women even sold their pieces, sharing their artwork with their communities. Today the tradition continues with
Five Generations of Nourse Family Artists Read More
Historic Dumbarton House and the American Red Cross share a unique history of partnership. Dumbarton House became a Red Cross facility during World War II supporting the relief efforts of the Red Cross’s D.C. Chapter from 1942 until 1945. Since 1928, Dumbarton House had been the headquarters for The National Society of The Colonial Dames
The American Red Cross at Dumbarton House, 1942-1945 Read More
The Federal era in the United States (c.1790 to 1820) witnessed many high society gatherings and much genteel merry-making, all of which involved food and drink in some capacity. America was still a relatively new country, and many of the customs and objects related to food and drink during the Federal period can be traced
“Fran, Have you Supplied the Table?” Foods, Service, and Etiquette in the Federal Era Read More
