Dumbarton House

Specialties

Dumbarton House reflects the emerging Adamesque style of architecture of the early Republic, and has an outstanding collection of Federal period furniture and decorative arts.

Built during the tumultuous presidencies of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the house has been restored to show it as it might have appeared during the time of its first resident, Joseph Nourse, who served as Register of the U.S. Treasury for the first six Presidents of the United States. The museum presents an unusual opportunity to catch a glimpse of what life was like in Washington during the early days of the Republic.

History

Established in 1932.

The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America purchased the property now known as Dumbarton House, in 1928. They began a major restoration of the property in 1931 under the direction of local architect Horace Peaslee and architectural historian Fiske Kimball.

This restoration strove primarily to restore the property to its early 19^th century character. It was also at this time that The NSCDA renamed the property Dumbarton House, to more accurately reflect the history of the land on which the home had sat for over 100 years. Shortly after the restoration was completed in 1932, Dumbarton House opened its doors to the public as an historic house museum.

Today Dumbarton House is one of the few stately brick homes in Washington to survive the heady days when the country and its capital were new.

Meet the Business Owner

The NSCDA.

Business Owner

The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA) is an organization devoted to furthering an appreciation of our national heritage through historic preservation, patriotic service, and educational projects. The NSCDA was founded in 1891 and exists today as an unincorporated association of 44 corporate state societies with over 15,000 members nationwide. The NSCDA’s motto is «Virtutes Majorum Filiae Conservant»; Daughters conserve the virtues of their ancestors.

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The NSCDA. says,

«Another fine example of Federal Period Architecture in the Georgetown Neighborhood»