WELCOME TO DUMBARTON HOUSE

Headquarters of The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America

The mission of the Dumbarton House museum, a Federal period historic house, is to preserve the historic structure and its collections and to educate the public about life in Washington , DC , during the early years of the Republic. Emphasis is placed on Joseph Nourse, first Register of the Treasury, and his family, and their occupation of the property from 1804 through 1813.

Dumbarton House "is... one of the very finest and most beautiful houses in the United States," according to architectural historian Fiske Kimball, consulting architect for its original restoration. 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.

Current and Upcoming Highlights:

NEW Wintertime Series! Dancing & Diversion for Adults, on three Tuesday evenings, Jan. 26, Feb. 23, & Mar. 16
POSTPONED DUE TO WINTER STORM WARNING FROM Sat. Feb. 6, TO Sat. Feb. 13, Black History Month Lecture by Best-selling Author Breena Clarke
FAMILY FUN DAY SERIES Begins: "The Art of Writing," Sat., Mar. 13, 11am-1pm
SPRING CONCERT SEASON BEGINS! Tue., Mar. 16, 12pm
Dumbarton at Dusk: After-Hours Tour, Thu., Mar. 25, 5:30pm, featuring British influences in the collection
SAVE THE DATE for the First Day of Spring Ball! Sat., Mar. 20, 8-11pm!

Ongoing

NEW! View the Dumbarton House Historic Furnishings Plan!
Search the available online collections of the historic properties administrated by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA)
Through June 12! Exhibition: Fran, have you Supplied the Table? Foods, Service, & Etiquette in the Federal Era

JOIN US as a CHARTER MUSEUM MEMBER to enjoy a range of benefits in concert with our regular programs including discounts on special tours, lectures, tastings, cotillion classes, summer camps, and private event rentals. OR, join our mailing list to receive notice of events and programs information (at regular rates), or to request that our semi-annual printed calendar (September 2009-February 2010) be mailed to you.

Plus, we invite you to find and follow us at:

DUMBARTON HOUSE GIFT SHOP NEW! Soaps & Chocolates!

Also, please consider supporting Dumbarton House through your online use of
-- for every GoodSearch or GoodShop, Dumbarton House receives a contribution!

Click here for a pdf copy of our 2008 Annual Report.