1816 Georgetown estate and 5½ acre garden with family ties to George Washington. Guided tours of the Historic House on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays.
A model of Federal-period architecture in the nation’s capital, Tudor Place was home to six generations of Martha Washington’s descendants from 1805 to 1983 and the enslaved workers and servants who lived and worked here. With over 18,000 decorative objects, including the largest Washington Collection outside of Mount Vernon, Tudor Place sits on 5 ½ acres in the heart of Georgetown.
Operating as usual
This Giving Tuesday, we would like to celebrate all the people who give their support to Tudor Place. Whether you are a visitor, volunteer, donor or friend, we are so thankful to all you have done to continue the Tudor Place legacy. Share the graphic that corresponds to your connection to Tudor Place and let everyone know what part you play in the Tudor Place story. Support Tudor Place this https://12200.blackbaudhosting.com/12200/2022-Annual-Fund
'Tis the season at Tudor Place and there are still tickets available for some of our special holiday programming. See the Historic House in an entirely new way with a candlelight tour. Impress your friends and spread holiday cheer by creating your own wreath at a wreath workshop. Tudor Tots also have a themed session, “What Winter Holidays Do You Celebrate?”
Check out our upcoming holiday events and programs at https://tudorplace.org/events/category/calendar/holidays/ 🎄
Today is , so we looked in our icebox and found 100-year-old milk bottles and eggs!🤢 Guess we will put it off another year . . .
Icebox
American, c.1900-1914
wood, metal
AC4
Happy National ! Today celebrates the development of reading and literary skills through family time, reading together and sharing stories. At Tudor Place, we love to encourage this through our Tudor Tots program. Each event invites young children (18 months to 4 years old) and their caretakers to join us for crafts, singing and, of course, an interactive story time. As we continue to celebrate throughout November, sign up for the Thanksgiving and Hibernation themed Tudor Tots book events!
What books has your family read together? Let us know below!
Happy ! Today, Girl Scouts around the country celebrate not just Halloween, but also the birthday of Juliette Gordon Low. In March 1912, Gordon Low started the very first Girl Scout troop, then called “Girl Guides,” in Savannah Georgia. About a year later, she established the national headquarters for the Girl Scouts of the USA in Washington, D.C. The first local troop formed seven months later, in December 1913. Today, there almost 4,000 troops that call the D.C. region home.
Tudor Place welcomes Girl Scouts of all ages to discover the complexities of the past and to dig into the science of our garden through public and private programs. Visit our website to see which program is right for you!
Ever have that crazy thought to ? It might not be such a bad idea to stay on good terms… Armistead Peter Jr. married Anna “Nannie” Williams in 1894, but they began a prolonged estrangement in 1923. While never officially divorcing one another, Nannie did successfully sue Armistead for $2.6 million dollars in 1926 after a portion of her fortune disappeared. The independent Nannie brought much wealth to the marriage and was thus able to live well apart from her husband while Armistead continued to reside at Tudor Place.
Artist-in-Residence Peter Waddell will give a glimpse into his process at the next Behind-the-Canvas “How A Vision Takes Form & Paintings Come to Be.” Discover the objects in the Tudor Place collection that inspire him and get a demonstration of the techniques he uses to bring history to life. Register now here: https://buff.ly/3DtLn1Q
Discover how Americans leapt into action to help Belgians during World War I. Dr. Dominiek Dendooven and Pieter Trogh, researchers and curators at In Flanders Fields Museum, will discuss the relationship between the United States and Belgium during this free event. Register now here: https://buff.ly/3TSbTr9
On Halloween 1954, the Peter family sat down to a dinner of roast beef, brussels sprouts and boiled onions. For dessert, a popular dish made up of sweetened crumbs placed between layers of baked apples, served with hard sauce. Called, “Brown Betty,” tradition suggests that the dessert was named after its inventor, an African American woman named Betty. What is more widely understood is that the apple-crisp-like treat gained popularity in New England. If you would like to try this fall dessert for yourself, we recommend pairing it with the hard sauce recipe here: https://buff.ly/3CXipWG
Have you ever seen the 555-foot-tall obelisk built in George Washington’s name? The Washington Monument’s construction faced many obstacles before it was finally dedicated in February of 1885. Britannia W. Kennon, the longest Peter family owner of Tudor Place, received this invitation and these tickets to attend the dedication. Britannia’s mementoes remind us that the history of this monument goes beyond its representation of the first President of the United States. The design, construction and even surrounding ceremonies reveal the connections many Americans made with the monument well before its full opening in 1888.
As the celebrates its 247th birthday today, Tudor Place reflects on the lives given in service to our country. Commodore Beverley Kennon, the husband of Britannia W. Kennon, to the longest owner of Tudor Place, was the Commandant of the Washington Navy Yard. The couple was married just over a year when they attended a demonstration of the cannon, the Peace-Maker, aboard the USS Princeton in February of 1844. The final firing of the cannon resulted in an explosion that killed several, including Kennon. This tragic and surprising event led the widowed Britannia and her young daughter Markie to return to Tudor Place, which was owned by her mother, Martha Peter.
Commodore Beverley Kennon
Portrait
6180
Explosion of the Peace-Maker
N. Currier
Lithograph
6184w9280
In celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we respectfully acknowledge the Nacotchtank/Anacostan and Piscataway people on whose ancestral homelands Tudor Place Historic House & Garden sits. We also celebrate the vibrant Native communities who make their homes in the DC area today.
There are so many ways to brew a cup of coffee, but whether you use a French press, pour over, cowboy coffee, Keurig, or a Mr. Coffee pot, you will need coffee beans to make the magic happen. This National Coffee Day, we are looking at this coffee mill, which was designed by T. Henry Asbury and John G. Baker of Enterprise Manufacturing Company during the late 19th Century.
Today is Save Your Photo Day, the perfect occasion to spend some time with your own family photos. Here are a few tips from our Archive to keep your photos safe. First, pull your albums out of your attics and garages and organize them to store in a cool, dry place! When handling photos, touch the rims of the picture to keep fingerprints and oils away or consider cotton gloves. By following these steps, your photos can be shared for generations to come.
“Recipes from the Archives” presents the Manhattan Cocktail. Named for the New York City borough, the Manhattan Cocktail is slightly bitter with herbal undertones. This recipe was copied by Armistead Peter Jr. who recorded several of the Vermouth based cocktail recipes found in the Tudor Place Archives.
Manhattan Cocktail
Ingredients:
- Vermouth
- Rye Whiskey
- Bitters
- Ice
Recipe:
- In a cocktail shaker, measure one wine-glass full of vermouth.
- Add one poney (ounce) of rye whiskey.
- Add three dashes of bitters and two small lumps of ice.
- Mix well.
Tudor Tots is back! Young learners aged 18 months to 4 years are invited to join us Wednesdays at 10 a.m. to sing songs, read a story and complete crafts, all highlighting a seasonal theme. Sign up now: https://buff.ly/3RRsqLc
This edition of “Recipes from the Archives” tempts you with a fresh, fragrant Mint Julip. Armistead Peter Jr., a fan of classic cocktails, was the one who recorded this recipe. To make this drink even more special, we used mint fresh from the garden. We encourage you to find some fresh sprigs of your own to enjoy this drink with friends (or have it all to yourself!)
Calling all teachers! Enjoy drinks and appetizers while learning more about teacher resources at Tudor Place, Ford’s Theatre, the National Park Service and President Lincoln’s Cottage. Network with other teachers and discover professional development opportunities, virtual and in-person field trips and online learning offerings. Sign up here: https://buff.ly/3qtCkqx
Like getting your hands dirty and protecting the environment? Join us at the W**d Wrangle! Learn how to identify and treat invasive weeds that affect the DC area before working alongside our gardeners to clear them from the Garden. Sign up here: https://buff.ly/3Qoane8
Join us as we start a new series called "Recipes from the Archives." We begin with a cocktail that the Peter family called "VM" and appears to be a vermouth-heavy version of a martini. It comes from a 1945 typed notebook with a title page that reads, "These receipts have been tried many times, and each and every one can be depended upon."
Would you give the VM Cocktail a try?🍸
Looking for something to do in September? Tudor Place has something for everyone! Families are invited to join us for newly announced Tudor Tots and Girl Scout programming. Bring your family by for Trick or Treat on October 29th, and stay for unique Halloween-themed tours take October 29 and 30. For lifelong learners, check out the Landmark Lecture Enslaved and Free Black Artisans and the Built Environment of the District of Columbia (9/13) or our next Tudor Nights, Hygiene History in the Peter Household (9/15). Teachers, learn about classroom resources and field trip opportunities at Tapas with Teachers (9/29). Finally, if you have a green thumb, we would love your help at the Annual W**d Wrangle on September 24. Check out our full calendar here: https://buff.ly/3GjELCT
Tudor Place Historic House & Garden updated their business hours.
Tudor Place Historic House & Garden updated their business hours.
With returning to DC, Tudor Place is highlighting a couple of artifacts that speak to the connection between Hamilton’s widow, Eliza, and Britannia W. Kennon, the second owner of Tudor Place. Eliza rented a house from Britannia on H Street from 1848 until her death in 1854. During these years, Eliza worked to get her late husband’s papers published and was active in the city’s social life. She created pieces of needlework for charity and friends including one currently on display in the Southeast Bedroom, which she gave to Britannia shortly before her death.
Needlework
Eliza Hamilton, c.1852
Linen
8726.01
Our Landmark Lecture series is back, starting on Tuesday, September 13. This free series highlights historical topics connected to Tudor Place and the world of its residents. This season, we will be presenting the following three lectures: Enslaved and Free Black Artisans and the Built Environment of the District of Columbia (9/13), The Sounds of History: Georgetown during the American Civil War (10/18) and A Whiff of Illness: Fighting Stench & Protecting Health in the 19th Century City (11/8). Register now here: https://buff.ly/3qcxYnP
On August 24th, Tudor Place welcomed visiting colleagues from the Architects Foundation. Did you know that Octagon house and Tudor Place share the same architect? Find out who it is here: https://buff.ly/3mEgD2L
On this , we remember Virginia-born artist Marietta Minnigerode Andrews (1869-1931). She lent her talents to the women’s suffrage movement by designing this cover for The Suffragist entitled “Signs of Spring” in 1914 and by creating silhouettes and drawings of trailblazing women of her day, including this depiction of Florida Congresswoman Ruth Bryan Owen. Tudor Place possesses several of her drawings, which were acquired by Helen Tucker Peter, Armistead Peter 3rd’s second wife.
“Signs of Spring”
Marietta Minnigerode Andrews, 1914
Paper, ink
95.6155.01
“Hon. Ruth Bryan Owen, M.C. from Florida”
Marietta Minnigerode Andrews, c.1929
Paper, ink, pencil
95.6067.01
Get to know our Summer Interns! This week, meet our Collections Intern, Caroline:
My name is Caroline and I am a graduate student in the Museum Studies program at the George Washington University. My specific area of study is collections management. I was drawn to Tudor Place because of the exceptional opportunity to work with a collection composed of a diverse range of objects spanning multiple generations of a historic American family. I was also very interested in learning how Tudor Place utilizes its collection to contextualize American history and facilitate honest discussions about the nation’s beginnings. Since the start of my internship, I have participated in various collections management tasks such as cataloguing, housekeeping and object rehousing. I even got to assist with moving Tudor Place’s extensive silver collection and cleaning the 1919 Pierce-Arrow car.
Stop into the Museum Shop to browse our book sale. From etiquette history to classical architecture and civil war history, there is something for every history buff and DC aficionado. Not sure what to get? Ask one of our Visitor Services Assistants or your docent for a reading recommendation.
Shop Hours: Thursday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
For , we recreated this watercolor painted by Armistead Peter 3rd. For our version, we used the same rosewood armchair that Armistead used, which is currently a part of Tudor Place's collection. His painting was untitled, but we call our creation “Bad Kitty, Stay Off the Antique Armchair!”
Untitled
Armistead Peter 3rd, c.1930
Watercolor
6879
Armchair
Unknown Maker, c.1860
Rosewood, velvet
4196.01
Get to know our Summer Interns! This week, meet our Gardens & Grounds intern, Annie:
Annie is pursuing her BA in Environmental Studies at Oberlin College. She was an intern at Earth Sangha Nursery in Arlington. She is also a member of her school's Resource Conservation Team. In addition to her love for nature, Annie has a literary flair. She was one of five students selected to be a National Student Poet, "the country's highest honor for youth poets presenting
original work," to serve as a literary ambassador representing 10 states in the southeast region.
Students! Interested in broadening your horizons and networking with others in the community? Join our brand-new Student Membership program. For only $25 a year, you get unlimited public guided tours of the Historic House & self-guided garden visits, a discount in the Museum Shop, free admission to Tudor Nights and free or discounted access to select events and programs. Learn more here: https://buff.ly/3jgfEp3
Get to know our Summer Interns! This week, meet our Education Summer Programs Intern, Zoe:
"I'm Zoe and I will be going into my senior year at Union College. What drew me to Tudor Place was the size of the museum. I felt as though I could gain a lot of meaningful experience and opportunities to learn more about organizing educational programming. Since I have been at Tudor Place, I have helped plan the Summer Saturdays events and Tudor Tot’s programming for the coming fall."
Cousins can sometimes be mischievous and get into trouble, but it would be hard to top what happened to Peter family cousins Orton Williams and Walter Gibson Peter. Both served as Confederate officers during the Civil War, and on June 8, 1863, they crossed Union lines in Tennessee dressed as Union soldiers with forged papers. Within 18 hours, they were tried as spies, and hanged. Mysteries still surround the cousins’ motivations on that tragic day. To learn more about this story, check out our blog. Link in bio.
Walter Gibson Peter & Orton Williams
Gelatin Silver Print, c.1862
A1.783
Mourning Brooch in Memory of Orton Williams
Unknown Maker, c.1870
Hair, pearl, gold
93.7108.01
Today is National Ice Cream Day, so we are taking a look at some of the tools used to make ice cream at Tudor Place. In 1843, the invention of the ice cream maker revolutionized the process of making ice cream. The wooden bucket was filled with ice and salt with a handle that rotated, not only making the process easier, but allowing the tasty treat to become more accessible to everyone. The ice cream maker pictured is one of two in the collection of Tudor Place and is from ca. 1900-1930. This machine may be small, but it could still deliver that perfect single serving (or two) on a hot July day like today! Also pictured is an ice cream mold. Ice cream molds were popular in 1930-1960s when they were used to shape soft ice cream into different shapes. Whether you are making your own ice cream or buying some, grab a friend and celebrate National Ice Cream Day with one of your favorite flavors.
Ice Cream Maker
ca. 1900-1930
Wood, metal
93.9030
Ice Cream Scoop
1930-1960s
Metal
1385.01
This week, we are excited to participate in Civil War Washington, a week-long program dedicated to providing teachers with the resources they need to teach students about the Civil War. Yesterday, we hosted the participants at Tudor Place, focusing on how using multiple primary sources creates a fuller picture of the past. We started with a tour of Civil War Georgetown, integrating primary sources and place-based education. We explored Tudor Place itself, where we concentrated on oral histories and how to fill gaps in our knowledge about historic events. Finally, we had a chance to see items from our collection and discuss how someone might frame own histories for different listeners. We will continue this program with visits to Ford's Theatre and President Lincoln's Cottage
For , we are rolling out Armistead Peter 3rd’s 1919 Pierce-Arrow 48-B5 Roadster. The family owned a series of Pierce-Arrow cars in the early 20th century, but this proved to be Armistead 3rd’s favorite and was the only car the family retained. Many of the features of the car are custom built for Armistead, such as the bell-shaped headlights and a new seat-to-steering wheel ratio to accommodate his height (6 feet 2 inches tall). Visit the garden to see the Pierce-Arrow as well as some of the other car-related items in our collection.
1644 31st Street NW
Washington D.C., DC
20007
Historic house and garden.
| Wednesday | 10am - 4pm |
| Thursday | 10am - 4pm |
| Friday | 10am - 4pm |
| Saturday | 10am - 4pm |
| Sunday | 12pm - 4pm |
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This edition of “Recipes from the Archives” tempts you with a fresh, fragrant Mint Julip. Armistead Peter Jr., a fan of classic cocktails, was the one who recorded this recipe. To make this drink even more special, we used mint fresh from the garden. We encourage you to find some fresh sprigs of your own to enjoy this drink with friends (or have it all to yourself!)
Join us as we start a new series called "Recipes from the Archives." We begin with a cocktail that the Peter family called "VM" and appears to be a vermouth-heavy version of a martini. It comes from a 1945 typed notebook with a title page that reads, "These receipts have been tried many times, and each and every one can be depended upon." Would you give the VM Cocktail a try?🍸
We are excited to announce the launch of a virtual tour of the Historic House. The 3D tour allows visitors to revisit their favorite rooms and explore objects on display throughout the first and second floor of the museum space. Navigate through each space and click on featured points of the house to learn more about the history behind them. For an overview of the house, the largest object in our collection, a dollhouse view and floorplan are available for each floor. Access the virtual tour at the https://tudorplace.org/virtual-tour/ Thank you to our partner @aftershotsphotography
At tomorrow’s #SummerSaturday family program, make a buzzing bee finger puppet to take into the garden and discover how bee communities operate and contribute to the ecosystem. Register at tudorplace.org 🐝
With over 18,000 objects in our collection, it’s challenging to select a favorite. Can you spot our staff picks for favorite objects on your next tour? Comment below and tell us some of your favorite things in the Tudor Place collection.
Happy #EarthDay from our gardens to yours 🌎🌿
Happy Opening Day from Tudor Place. In honor of the start of Major League Baseball’s 2022 season, explore the baseball-related items in our collection with Curator Rob DeHart.
Join Tudor Place in celebration #NationalPuppyDay with this archival footage. Does it get any cuter than this? 🐶
Tudor Place is currently closed for our annual month long closure for cleaning & maintenance of the historic house. Watch the video to get a feel for what we've been doing all month. Check out other fine porcelain & ceramic objects from the collection at https://buff.ly/3ABqVZK and learn about Meissen porcelain, modern opulence since 1710, at https://buff.ly/3o1xJei.
Watch the holiday greeting from Executive Director Mark Hudson with a heartfelt thank you to all our visitors, donors, members, friends and neighbors during 2021. We appreciate your support and together we keep history alive. Join us and preserve this National Historic Landmark for future generations at https://buff.ly/3ET1x2F.
Try the ultimate upcycling project this #TeachingTuesday: turn a juice carton into a bird feeder! Armistead Peter 3rd (the last owner of Tudor Place) wished that Tudor Place always be a refuge for wildlife and wrote in his will that "The birds should be given special consideration… " You can make a cozy space and help the birds near you by making your own bird feeder. Here's how: https://bit.ly/3sRArEl. For more fun family activities, visit Education at Home https://bit.ly/2WlVvXZ. #distancelearning #educationathome #birdlovers #feedthebirds #upcycling #kidsart #kidsartproject #kidcrafts #museumathome #homeschooling #livinghistory #virtuallearning #museumcommunity
As you celebrate 4th of July, bring fireworks indoors with this fun and easy craft on #TeachingTuesday. Go red, white and blue! 🏳️ For more family fun-filled activities, visit Education at Home https://buff.ly/3tOaHrA.
June 7-13 celebrates #MuseumWeek 2021 and without the backstage, there is no show! Explore hidden treasures as if you had the privileged access to the Tudor Place attic or 'third floor' in the center block of the historic house. Access to the attic door is with a large key, upside down and turned backwards to unlock. With any upper floors of a house, heat rises. There are two built-in venting windows, one on the east side and the other on the west side of the attic. This is to allow air flow and prevent stagnant humidity. The Peter family always used as the space as storage. Know you know how to get in, there are more treasures behind the door to discover. #MuseumWeek #BehindTheScenesMW #secret #decor #confidential #preparation #behindthescenes #CoulissesMW #TrasBambalinasMW #NosBastidoresMW #ЗаКулисамиMW #DietroLeQuinteMW #HinterDenKulissenMW #DarrereLesCàmeresMW
When Armistead Peter 3rd (1896-1983) and his wife Caroline Ogden-Jones Peter (1894-1965) lived at Tudor Place, they exchanged tulips at Easter. In the fall they planted tulips in the garden and the flowers still grow here. Create and share tulips with people you love with this fun stained-glass-tulip craft for kids. Find more about this and another tulip craft here https://buff.ly/3lJKiIE #teachingTuesday #DistanceLearning #crafts #kidscrafts #EducationAtHome
Our last private owner, Armistead Peter 3rd, wishing you safe travels this holiday weekend! If you're staying in DC, come tour our house museum & garden in Georgetown SAT 10-4 or SUN 12-4 (closed all Mondays). Last house tours begin at 3 pm. https://buff.ly/2NthtON
Come cool off in our gardens! T-SAT 10-4 and SUN 12-4 buff.ly/2t8XZ9p
A National Historic Landmark, Tudor Place Historic House & Garden features two centuries of history, landscape, and family life and a collection including the largest set of Washington items on public display outside Mount Vernon. The estate was built in 1816 by an early Washington "power couple," Martha Washington's granddaughter Martha Custis Peter and her husband, Thomas Peter, son of a prominent Scots-born landowner. Their estate on 5-1/2 (originally 8-1/2) acres, with its notable design and famed Temple Portico, was home to six generations of their descendants and the workers, free and enslaved, who served them. In 1988, it opened to the public as a museum.
Dumbarton Oaks Byzantine Studies
32nd Street NWThe National Society of The Colonial Dames of
Q Street NWOsservatorio Navale degli Stati Uniti
WashingtonMuseo Nacional del Aire y el Espacio (Washing
Pennsylvania Avenue NW
National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian In
Independence Avenue At 6th Street
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fu
E Street NW
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Raoul Wallenberg Place SW
Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition
L'enfant Plz SW
National Museum of Women in the Arts' Film &
New York Avenue NW
The Mansion on O & O Street Museum
O Street NW