If you are looking for a unique and memorable experience in Washington D.C., you should not miss the Hillwood Estate Museum and Gardens. This magnificent estate was once the home of Marjorie Merriweather Post, a successful businesswoman, philanthropist, and art collector. She left her mansion and its treasures to the public as a museum that showcases her exquisite collection of Russian and French decorative arts, as well as her beautiful gardens and woodlands. In this article, I will give you an overview of the history, culture significance, points of interest, interesting facts, and advice for visitors of this amazing place.

History

Hillwood Estate was built in 1926 by Mrs. Delos A. Blodgett, a wealthy widow from Detroit. She named it Arbor Close, after the trees that surrounded the property. In 1955, Marjorie Merriweather Post bought the estate for $1 million and renamed it Hillwood, after another one of her properties in New York. She hired prominent architects, designers, and landscape architects to renovate the mansion and the gardens to suit her taste and display her art collection. She lived there until her death in 1973, and then left it to the public as a museum, according to her will.

Culture Significance

Hillwood Estate Museum and Gardens is one of the most important cultural institutions in Washington D.C., because it houses the most comprehensive collection of Russian imperial art outside of Russia, as well as a distinguished collection of 18th-century French decorative art. These collections reflect Post’s passion for art and history, as well as her personal connections to Russia and France.

She married Joseph E. Davies, the second of her four husbands, in 1935, who was appointed as the U.S. ambassador to the Soviet Union in 1937. During their time in Moscow, Post acquired many rare and valuable pieces of Russian art, such as Fabergé eggs, imperial porcelain, icons, jewelry, paintings, and furniture.

She also collected French art throughout her life, especially from the period of Louis XVI, which she admired for its elegance and craftsmanship. Some of the highlights of her French collection include Sèvres porcelain, Beauvais tapestries, Boulle furniture, and portraits by François Boucher and Jean-Antoine Houdon.

Points of Interest

There are many things to see and do at Hillwood Estate Museum and Gardens, but here are some of the points of interest that you should not miss:

The Mansion

The mansion is the centerpiece of the estate, where you can admire Post’s art collection in its original setting. Each room has a different theme and style, such as the French Drawing Room, the Russian Porcelain Room, the Icon Room, and the Breakfast Room. You can also see Post’s personal items, such as her dresses, jewelry, photos, and books.

The Garden

The gardens are a delight for the senses, where you can enjoy the beauty of nature and art. There are thirteen acres of formal gardens, each with a different design and character, such as the French Parterre, the Japanese Garden, the Rose Garden, and the Friendship Garden. There are also natural woodlands that offer a peaceful retreat from the city.

The Greenhouses

The greenhouses are where you can see one of the country’s finest orchid collections, as well as other exotic plants. Post loved orchids and grew more than 2,000 varieties in her greenhouses. You can also see other plants that she collected from around the world, such as bromeliads, ferns, palms, and succulents.

The Exhibitions

The exhibitions are where you can learn more about Post’s life and legacy, as well as explore other topics related to her collection. Some of the current exhibitions include “Glass: Art. Beauty. Design.”, which showcases contemporary glass art inspired by Post’s collection; “Do Not Disturb: Marjorie Merriweather Post’s Personal Style”, which features Post’s clothing, accessories, and fragrance; and “Natural Beauties: Exquisite Works of Minerals and Gems”, which displays stunning works of art made from minerals and gems.

Interesting Facts

Here are some interesting facts about Hillwood Estate Museum and Gardens that you may not know:

• Hillwood has a pet cemetery where Post buried some of her beloved dogs, such as Dina Merrill (a Yorkshire terrier), Chips (a wire-haired terrier),  and Scampy (a Scottie).
• Hillwood has a Russian dacha (a country house) that Post built in 1969 to house some of her Russian art collection. It is modeled after a traditional Russian wooden house with carved details and colorful patterns.
• Hillwood has a lunar lawn where Post used to host parties and events under the moonlight. It is a circular lawn surrounded by a low hedge and a ring of trees that create a natural amphitheater.
• Hillwood has a secret staircase that connects the library to the second floor of the mansion. It is hidden behind a bookcase that swings open when a button is pressed. Post used it as a shortcut to her bedroom.

Advice for Visitors

If you are planning to visit Hillwood Estate Museum and Gardens, here are some advice that may help you make the most of your visit:

When is it open?

Hillwood is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Mondays, some holidays, and for several weeks in January. You can check the website for the latest information on opening hours and closures.

What to wear?

Hillwood is a casual and comfortable place, so you can wear whatever you like. However, you may want to dress in layers, as the temperature may vary between the mansion, the gardens, and the greenhouses. You may also want to wear comfortable shoes, as there is a lot of walking involved.

Is it family-friendly?

Hillwood is a great place for families, as there are many things to see and do for children of all ages. Interactive exhibits, scavenger hunts, audio guides, and activity sheets make learning fun and engaging. There are also special programs and events for children and families, such as preschool programs, Girl Scout workshops, family festivals, and holiday celebrations.

When is it best to visit?

Hillwood is beautiful every season, but you may have different preferences depending on what you want to see. If you want to see the gardens in full bloom, you may want to visit in spring or summer, when the flowers are colorful and fragrant. If you want to see the fall foliage, you may want to visit in autumn, when the leaves are red and gold. If you want to see the holiday decorations, you may want to visit in winter, when the mansion and the gardens are festive and cozy.

Trip drive through Washington D.C.: From Washington National Cathedral to Avesta Ketamine

Direction 1: Washington National Cathedral

3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington D.C. 20016, United States

1. Head east on Woodley Rd NW toward 36th St NW (0.2 mi)
2. Turn left onto 34th St NW (0.5 mi)
3. Continue onto Reno Rd NW (0.2 mi)
4. Turn right onto Tilden St NW (0.7 mi)
5. Turn left onto Linnean Ave NW (0.2 mi)
6. Turn right, Destination will be on the right (0.1 mi)

Direction 2: Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens

4155 Linnean Ave NW, Washington D.C. 20008, United States

1. Take Linnean Ave NW to Tilden St NW (2 min, 0.3 mi)
   1. Head southwest toward Linnean Ave NW (0.1 mi)
   2. Turn left onto Linnean Ave NW (0.2 mi)
2. Continue on Tilden St NW. Take 34th St NW to Observatory Cir NW (7 min, 1.9 mi)
   1. Turn right onto Tilden St NW (0.7 mi)
   2. Sharp left onto Reno Rd NW (0.3 mi)
   3. Continue onto 34th St NW (1.0 mi)
   4. Turn right onto Massachusetts Ave NW (240 ft)
3. Continue on Observatory Cir NW to Wisconsin Ave NW (2 min, 0.4 mi)
   1. Turn left onto Observatory Cir NW (0.2 mi)
   2. Continue onto Calvert St NW (0.1 mi)
4. Turn left onto Wisconsin Ave NW
5. Pass by FedEx Office Print & Ship Center (on the right) (3 min, 0.6 mi)
6. Continue on South St NW
7. Drive to 32nd St NW (1 min, 0.2 mi)
   1. Turn left onto South St NW (0.2 mi)
   2. Turn right onto 32nd St NW
   3. Destination will be on the left (210 ft)

Direction 3: Dumbarton Oaks Museum

1703 32nd St NW, Washington D.C. 20007, United States

1. Take 34th St NW to M St NW (5 min, 0.8 mi)
   1. Head south on 32nd St NW toward R St NW (154 ft)
   2. Turn right onto R St NW (0.2 mi)
   3. Turn left onto 34th St NW (0.6 mi)
2. Take Francis Scott Key Bridge/Key Bridge, Fort Myer Dr/N Ft Myer Dr, I-66 E, Exit 75 and VA-110 S to N Marshall Dr in Arlington (4 min, 1.4 mi)
   1. Use the right 2 lanes to turn right onto M St NW (233 ft)
   2. Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto Francis Scott Key Bridge/Key Bridge (Entering Virginia, 0.3 mi)
   3. Continue onto Fort Myer Dr/N Ft Myer Dr (0.2 mi)
   4. Turn left onto Langston Blvd (489 ft)
   5. Use the right 2 lanes to take the ramp to I-395/Roosevelt Brg (0.2 mi)
   6. Merge onto I-66 E (0.2 mi)
   7. Take exit 75 for VA-110 S toward I-395/US-1/Pentagon City/Crystal City/Reagan Nat’l Arpt/Alexandria (0.2 mi)
   8. Continue onto VA-110 S (0.2 mi)
3. Follow N Marshall Dr to Iwo Jima Acc Rd/U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial Access Rd (21 sec, 456 ft)
   1. Turn right onto N Marshall Dr (417 ft)
   2. Turn right onto Iwo Jima Acc Rd/U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial Access Rd (39 ft)

Direction 4: US Marine Corps War Memorial

Arlington, VA 22209, United States

1. Get on US-50 E/Arlington Blvd from N Marshall Dr and N Meade St (2 min, 0.6 mi)
   1. Head south on Iwo Jima Acc Rd/U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial Access Rd toward N Marshall Dr (39 ft)
   2. Turn right onto N Marshall Dr (0.2 mi)
   3. Turn right onto N Meade St (0.2 mi)
   4. Take the ramp onto US-50 E/Arlington Blvd (0.1 mi)
2. Take I-66 E to L St NW in Washington D.C. (4 min, 1.8 mi)
   1. Merge onto US-50 E/Arlington Blvd (0.1 mi)
   2. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for US-50 E/Washington D.C. and merge onto I-66 E (Entering District of Columbia, 0.8 mi)
   3. Use the left lane to take the I-66 E exit toward E Street (0.1 mi)
   4. Keep left, follow signs for Whitehurst Freeway (453 ft)
   5. Continue onto I-66 E (0.4 mi)
   6. Use the right lane to take the Whitehurst Frwy exit (0.1 mi)
   7. Keep right, follow signs for Pennsylvania Avenue and merge onto L St NW (0.2 mi)
   8. L St NW turns right and becomes Pennsylvania Avenue NW (154 ft)
3. Slight left onto L St NW (2 min, 0.2 mi)
4. Turn left onto New Hampshire Ave NW (4 min, 0.5 mi)
5. At Dupont Cir NW, take the 4th exit onto P St NW (4 min, 0.4 mi)
6. Turn right onto 16th St NW (16 sec, 164 ft)
7. Turn right, Destination will be on the right (5 sec, 69 ft)

Direction 5: Avesta Ketamine and Wellness

1400 16th St NW Suite 101, Washington D.C. 20036, United States