Dumbarton House

A visit to Dumbarton House, built in 1799, offers guests a unique opportunity to view one of the finest examples of Federal period architecture in the U.S., along with its impressive furniture and decorative arts collections. They take away a clear idea of what life was like in the earliest days of our nation’s capital. In addition to being a historic house museum, Dumbarton House is also the headquarters of The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America.

The mission of Dumbarton House, the national headquarters of The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA), is to support the NSCDA Corporate Societies and their members; to maintain an historic museum property, which serves as a resource for the NSCDA nationally; and to contribute to the cultural life of the surrounding community.

Through the interpretation of its historic site and collections, the Dumbarton House Museum promotes the understanding of historic preservation and of the early history of our nation, so that the lives and ideals of early Americans inspire current and future generations.