If you are tired of marble monuments and the crowds on the National Mall during your time in Washington, DC, check out Hillwood, the mansion owned by Marjorie Merriweather Post. Located in a bucolic part of the city, it’s a glamorous respite from the usual tourist crowds!
History
Originally built in the 1920s, Hillwood was purchased by the wealthiest woman in America, Marjorie Merriweather Post, in 1955. Post was the daughter of cereal magnate, C.W. Post, and became the owner of the Postum Cereal Company in 1914 after the death of her father. She grew the business by acquiring other food companies like Jell-O and Hellmans and eventually added the Birdseye frozen food’s unique flash freezing business. She served as director of the renamed General Foods Corporation until the late 1950s. She was well-known for her philanthropic endeavors, particularly during WWI where she personally funded a US Army hospital in France, and her many marriages. She built a home in Florida (Mar-a-lago) and moved to Washington in the 1950s.
She lived at Hillwood until her death in 1973, creating a museum-like home that was the scene for many social events. She displayed many of the items from her extensive art collection here, including rare Faberge eggs and Russian artifacts she acquired in the 1930s when her then-husband served as the US Ambassador to the Soviet Union. The estate opened as a museum in 1977.
Visit
Hillwood is a beautiful place to visit and soak in the opulence of a bygone time. It’s such a lovely way to learn about history!
Be sure to purchase tickets for your tour ahead of time to ensure your entrance. There is a self-guided and audio tour, but I recommend taking the guided tour to learn even more. It’s worth the extra time and expense!
The visitor center has a brief video about Post’s life (watch in advance here) and a great gift shop. Head out into the gardens and towards the main entrance to the home.
The stunning entry hall with its amazing art work is sure to impress. It contains a portrait of Catherine the Great and other Russian tsars. Post visited the Soviet Union in the 1930s and was shocked that they were destroying so much of its imperial artwork and items. She bought all that she could, including these portraits.
The former theater room is spectacular.
The French drawing room looks like it belongs at Versailles.
Post collected porcelain and other decorative items, and you’ll find them displayed throughout the rooms. She even had this porcelain nook created just for her items.
The Icon room is amazing with its wall-to-wall collection of priceless Russian art including Faberge items.
The first floor library is stunning with its larger-than-life portrait of a young Marjorie.
The dining room and breakfast nook are glamorous. Check out the amazing table insert on display to get a better idea of what’s under the gilded place settings! You can almost hear the laughter and hushed conversations from her many society events!
The staff kitchen is more basic but quite large to accommodate all of Post’s parties. Her recipes for Jell-O molded desserts are on display. There are more serving pieces here, including her tea set!
Head upstairs to see Marjorie’s opulent bedroom. We learned that she had this room replicated in all of her houses!
Check out her beauty salon!
Her husband’s more spartan bedroom is down the hall. And the guest bedroom is lovely!
The second floor library has a beautiful portrait of Marjorie as well as an austere one of Winston Churchill.
The gardens are lovely so be sure to spend time wandering its paths. Don’t miss the Russian dacha on property! It often houses traveling exhibits.
The cafe onsite frequently serves afternoon tea which would be a magical way to end your time at Hillwood!
Hillwood is a beautiful mansion full of priceless art. It’s definitely a different side to Washington, DC so add it to your itinerary!
Helpful hints:
- Cost: $20/adults; $5/child
- Recommended: ages 10 and up (although keep an eye on child-friendly activities for the younger ones)
- Tour time: 1-2 hours
- Gift shop located in the visitor center and online.
- Transportation: Best accessible by car, take an Uber or taxi to the mansion. There is also plenty of parking.
- Dining options: The onsite cafe is lovely. One of my favorite DC restaurants, Cactus Cantina, is nearby and Georgetown with its many restaurants is a quick cab ride away.
- Nearby hotels: Check out my Washington, DC guide for recommendations. My favorite hotel in Georgetown is the Rosewood, especially its townhouses.
- Nearby attractions include: National Zoo, National Cathedral, Woodrow Wilson House, and President Lincoln’s Cottage
Books to Read:
All links are Amazon affiliate links. You can visit my Bookshop.org shop to support independent bookstores and creators. Find more books listed in the museum’s online shop.
Adults/Young Adults:
- The Houses and Collections of Marjorie Merriweather Post
- A Garden for All Seasons: Marjorie Merriweather Post’s Hillwood
- The Fashion and Style of Marjorie Merriweather Post
- The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post (I highly recommend reading this before your trip!)
