Located on the highest point in Georgetown, the Dumbarton Oaks Gardens features 10 formally landscaped acres and an English country garden surrounding the mansion Dumbarton Oaks House. Originally owned by Mildred and Robert Woods Bliss who bought the property in 1920, the gardens were designed and developed over a 30 year period through the creative partnership of Mildred Bliss and landscape designer Beatrix Farrand. The landscaped areas include oak trees, a rose garden, an enormous bamboo stand, and the profusion of perennials and color so familiar to traditional country gardens. Much of the property is terraced and planted with herbs, cherry trees and forsythias.
The gardens and mansion are just part of the entire property, which encompasses 53 acres. The Blisses donated the upper part of Dumbarton Oaks to Harvard University in 1940, and the lower 27 acres to the federal government to be made into a public park. An additional ten acres was sold to build the Danish Embassy.
In 1941, designer Farrand began to write the Plant Book for Dumbarton Oaks with details on the design and care of the garden, a still-respected plant journal among landscape designers.
Attraction Information
- Garden Hours:
- March 15th through October 31st: Tuesday through Sunday: 2pm to 6pm
- November 1st through March 14th: Tuesday through Sunday: 2pm to 5pm
- Garden Admission:
- Adults: $8
- Children and Senior Citizens: $5
- Museum Hours:
- Tuesday through Sunday: 2pm to 5pm
- Garden Admission:
- Free
- Metro Stop:
- Redline to the Dupont Circle Station
- Contact:
- Location: 1703 32nd Street, NW, Washington DC
- Phone: 202-339-6401
- Phone: www.doaks.org
