Museums

Museums of Special Interest

To the right person, with a specific interest, these lesser-known museums can be more than fascinating. Don't try to drop in without calling because most are not open daily, and some require appointments.

Anderson House, 2118 Massachusetts Ave. NW (tel. 202/785-2040; www.hereditary.us/cin_anderson.htm): A century-old, 50-room mansion of amazing design and impressive art and furnishings. The mansion is headquarters for the Society of the Cincinnati, which was founded in 1783 by Continental officers (including George Washington) who had served in the American Revolution. Metro: Dupont Circle (Q St. exit).

Art Museum of the Americas, 201 18th St. NW, within the Organization of American States (tel. 202/458-6016; www.museum.oas.org): From 80 to 200 works by contemporary Latin and Caribbean artists, on display from the museum's permanent collection. An Aztec garden and a second gallery in adjoining OAS building. Metro: Farragut West (17th St. exit), then walk south about 6 blocks.

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Museum, 1776 D St. NW (tel. 202/879-3241; www.dar.org/museum): Early American furnishings and decorative arts. Metro: Farragut West (17th St. exit), then walk south about 5 blocks.

Decatur House, 1610 H St. NW at Lafayette Park (tel. 202/842-0920; www.decaturhouse.org): Historic house museum with permanent collection of Federalist and Victorian furnishings. Metro: Farragut West (17th St. exit).

Dumbarton House, 2715 Q St. NW (tel. 202/337-2288; www.dumbartonhouse.org): Another historic house museum, with a permanent collection of 18th- and 19th-century English and American furniture and decorative arts. Metro: Dupont Circle (Q St. exit), with a 20-minute walk along Q Street.

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, 1411 W St. SE (tel. 202/426-5961; www.nps.gov/frdo): Last residence of the famous African-American 19th-century abolitionist. Metro: Anacostia, then catch bus no. B2, which stops by the house.

Hillwood Museum and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave. NW (tel. 202/686-5807; www.hillwoodmuseum.org): Magnificent estate of Marjorie Merriweather Post, who collected art and artifacts of 18th-century France and Imperial Russia. Formal gardens, grand rooms, high tea. Metro: Van Ness (exit east on Connecticut Ave.).

Hillyer Art Space, 9 Hillyer Court NW (tel. 202/338-0680; www.artsandartists.org/artspace.php): This new, hip little two-room gallery is an arm of International Arts & Artists and displays works of both regional and international artists in its mission to "increase cross-cultural understanding and exposure to the arts internationally." Metro: Dupont Circle (Q St. exit).

Interior Department Museum, 1849 C St. NW (tel. 202/208-4743; www.doi.gov/interiormuseum): Permanent exhibits relating to the work of agencies that fall within the Interior Department's jurisdiction: national parks, land management, Indian affairs, fish and wildlife services, environmental protection. Metro: Farragut West (18th St. exit), then walk about 6 blocks south.

Kreeger Museum, 2401 Foxhall Rd. NW (tel. 202/338-3050; www.kreegermuseum.org): This museum in a residential neighborhood is a treasure-trove of art from the 1850s to the 1970s, including Impressionist paintings and the works of many American artists. No Metro; take a cab.

Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site, 1318 Vermont Ave. NW (tel. 202/673-2402; www.nps.gov/mamc): Last residence of African-American activist/educator Bethune, who was a leading champion of black and women's rights during FDR's administration. Metro: McPherson Square (Franklin Sq./14th St. exit).

National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW (tel. 202/272-2448; www.nbm.org): Housed within a historic building is this fine museum devoted to architecture, building, and historic preservation. Metro: Judiciary Square (F St. exit).

National Geographic Museum, 17th and M streets NW. (tel. 202/857-7588; www.nationalgeographic.com/museum): Rotating exhibits related to exploration, adventure, and earth sciences, using interactive programs and artifacts. Metro: Farragut North (Connecticut Ave. and L St. exit).

Old Stone House, 3051 M St. NW (tel. 202/426-6851; www.nps.gov/olst): A 1765 structure said to be the oldest in D.C. still standing on its original foundations. Colonial appearance, English garden. Metro: Foggy Bottom, with a 15-minute walk.

Sewall-Belmont House, 144 Constitution Ave. NE (tel. 202/546-1210; www.sewallbelmont.org): A must for those interested in women's history, the historic house displays memorabilia of the women's suffrage movement, which got its start here. Metro: Union Station.

State Department Diplomatic Reception Rooms, 2201 D St. NW (entrance on 23rd St. NW; tel. 202/647-3241; https://receptiontours.state.gov): This is a fine-arts tour of rooms that serve as our country's main stage for international diplomacy. The rooms house a premier collection of Early American paintings, furniture, and decorative arts, dating from 1740. Metro: Foggy Bottom.

Textile Museum, 2320 S St. NW (tel. 202/667-0441; www.textilemuseum.org): Historic and contemporary handmade textile arts, housed in historic John Russell Pope mansion. Metro: Dupont Circle, Q Street exit, then walk a couple of blocks up Massachusetts Avenue until you see S Street. Second location coming in 2009 at 421 7th St. NW. Metro: Gallery Place/Verizon Center (7th and F sts. exit).

Tudor Place, 1644 31st St. NW (tel. 202/965-0400; www.tudorplace.org): An 1816 mansion with gardens, home to Martha Washington's descendants until 1984. Metro: Dupont Circle, with a 25-minute walk along Q Street.

United States Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW (tel. 202/737-2300; www.lonesailor.org): Plaza honors men and women of the U.S. Navy; museum features interactive video kiosks used to learn about Navy ships, aircraft, and history. Metro: Archives-Navy Memorial.

Woodrow Wilson House, 2340 S St. NW (tel. 202/387-4062; www.woodrowwilsonhouse.org): The former home of this president, preserved the way it was when he lived here in the 1920s. Docents guide visitors on hour-long tours, pointing out noteworthy objects and telling stories about the 28th president. Metro: Dupont Circle, Q Street exit, then walk a couple of blocks up Massachusetts Avenue until you reach S Street.